Citroën C5 Aircross: record august sales put it neck and neck with Renault Austral

As we all eagerly await the official launch of the next-generation Citroën C5 Aircross, the current model continues to deliver some wonderful surprises. Just weeks before it passes the torch, the brand's family SUV has closed the month of August on a truly exceptional note. With a spectacular growth of 102%, it achieved a top-tier sales performance that now places it on perfectly equal footing with one of its most direct competitors, the Renault Austral. This show of force proves, if proof were needed, the enduring relevance and appeal that this flagship model still commands.

An outstanding performance against renewed competition

Let's delve into the figures that confirm this impressive momentum. In August, the Citroën C5 Aircross sold 3,410 units across the European market, a volume that represents a massive 102% increase compared to the same period last year. This result is all the more remarkable as it was achieved by a model at the end of its lifecycle, facing competitors that are often much newer. The most telling comparison is undoubtedly with its direct French rival, the Renault Austral. The latter, despite having recently received a facelift intended to boost its sales career, registered 3,477 sales during the same period, marking an 11% decline. The gap between the two models is therefore virtually non-existent. Seeing our C5 Aircross, beloved for its supreme comfort and modularity, perform neck and neck with a freshly updated competitor is a source of great satisfaction. It demonstrates that the intrinsic qualities of Citroën's SUV continue to win over a broad customer base, likely drawn to a proven vehicle at the peak of its maturity and certainly offered under attractive conditions as its replacement nears.

An increasingly competitive SUV market

While this August performance is an extremely positive signal, it is important to place it in the context of what remains one of the most competitive segments in the automotive market. Despite this success, the C5 Aircross currently still trails behind the undisputed leaders of the category. The Volkswagen Tiguan, a recently renewed model and a true commercial powerhouse, attracted 12,094 buyers (+23%), while the Peugeot 3008, another major player and a corporate cousin, recorded 6,978 sales (+22%). We must also note the arrival of a significant new competitor, the Dacia Bigster, which, with 5,742 units, is already establishing itself as a credible and highly anticipated alternative. These figures underscore the scale of the challenge awaiting the second-generation C5 Aircross. However, there is every reason to believe it has the necessary assets to meet this challenge. Based on a modern platform, offering the latest generation of hybrid and electric powertrains, and, we hope, preserving that unique comfort-focused DNA, the new model has a trump card to play. Its success will largely depend on clever price positioning, a strategy in which Citroën has often excelled to differentiate itself and offer a particularly attractive price-to-features ratio.

In conclusion, the summer performance of the Citroën C5 Aircross is much more than a final blaze of glory. It is definitive proof of the lasting appeal of a model that successfully established its unique vision of comfort and versatility in the highly competitive family SUV segment. The fact that it is directly challenging a recently updated Renault Austral, even as its own career is drawing to a close, is an extremely encouraging sign. This positive momentum provides an ideal springboard for the next generation. I am confident that this last-minute success creates high expectations but also builds a foundation for legitimate optimism about the future. The first deliveries of the new C5 Aircross are expected in November, and we are looking forward to seeing if it will successfully build upon the legacy of its predecessor.