Citroën C5 Aircross facelifted: new design, well-known technology

Citroën caused some confusion in 2017 with the unveiling of the C5 Aircross. The brand linked the model name of its flagship C5, which had recently disappeared from the market, to the name Aircross. That suggested that the C5 Aircross succeeded the C5, but that turned out not to be the case. The C5 Aircross became a medium-sized SUV that became the highest placed model in the Citroën line-up after the disappearance of the C5 and was therefore the new top model. The C5 Aircross, which was brought onto the Dutch market in mid-2018, is now being facelifted and with its new design, it fits seamlessly with the new top model of Citroën presented in 2020: the C5 X.

Citroen C5 Aircross

Exterior

The renewed Citroën C5 Aircross is immediately recognizable as C5 Aircross, despite the fact that the optical changes at the front are quite significant. The SUV will keep its two-layer lighting, but the design will be overhauled. As with the C5 X and to a lesser extent on the recently redesigned C3 and C3 Aircross, the lower tier of lighting extends outwardly away from the upper tier. V-shaped LED daytime running lights. The body-colored strip that previously separated the two layers of lighting has been tossed in the trash with one fluid motion. The individual parts are therefore more fused together, although they are still optically cut in two because they connect to the slats of the new grille. Lower on the nose we find a completely new bumper, complete with larger vertical cooling slots at the corners, a larger horizontal opening above the license plate and an all-new lower grille. The observant viewer has probably already seen it: the Citroën C5 Aircross wears a subtly modified and dark chrome double chevron on its front and back.

Striking: the elements in the bumper that referred to the Airbumps of yesteryear, have to clear the field. At the bottom of the doors we still find these plastic references, but the Airbump shape also disappears from the light signature of the rear lights. Citroën gives the C5 Aircross new taillights with a more checkered layout. The contours of the rear lights are unchanged, although Citroën gives the units a strong relief. At the rear, things remain the same, which means that the rear bumper and tailgate remain unchanged. Citroën does bring new alloy slippers and the dark blue paint that you see in these photos to the SUV. Also new: Color Packs, packages that bring more optical frivolity to the C5 Aircross by adding color to the front bumper and to the Airbumps on the sides.

Citroen C5 Aircross

Interior

Citroën also takes care of the interior of the C5 Aircross. The biggest news is the design of the center console. It’s done with the screen placed in the middle and the ventilation grilles placed on either side. The new center console is more similar to that of the C5 X and so the infotainment system has been placed a bit higher, the ventilation grilles are placed below. The display simultaneously makes a considerable growth spurt. The screen now measures 10-inches instead of 8 inches. Behind the wheel is customizable 12-inch digital instrumentation.

The vertically oriented and two-piece ventilation grilles on the corners of the dashboard are retained. More news relates to the gear selector of the automatic transmission. That is because it is replaced by a small switch as we know from other recent Citroëns. The updated C5 Aircross further benefits from the Advanced Comfort seats that you may know from the C4 and C5 X, furniture with thicker foam. Citroën also brings new colors and materials to the SUV.

Plug-in Hybrid

As before, the renewed Citroën C5 Aircross will also be available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. This C5 Aircross Hybrid has a system output of 225 hp thanks to a 180 hp 1.6 PureTech petrol engine and a 110 hp electric motor. The 13.2 kWh battery provides the car with an electric range of up to 55 kilometers. In addition to these plug-in hybrid powertrains, petrol and diesel engines will also be available again, although Citroën is still keeping an eye on which machines will come to the Netherlands.