New Citroën C5 Aircross (2025): an electric version under €40,000?

With the recent unveiling of the new C5 Aircross, Citroën completes a significant cycle: the almost full renewal of its range, with the notable exception of the C5 X. This compact SUV thus adopts the stylistic codes introduced by the OLI concept, proudly displaying the brand's new logo and its updated visual identity. This aesthetic transformation is more than just a simple refresh; it symbolizes a decisive step in Citroën's strategic repositioning, aiming to reconnect with its founding values by becoming a popular and accessible brand once again. This objective, already evident in lower segments with models like the new C3 and C3 Aircross, must also materialize in the inherently more premium compact SUV segment with this new model. Within this strong strategic context, the notion that Citroën could make a significant impact with its pricing when officially announced next June is a prospect that seems highly plausible and is already generating considerable anticipation.

A potentially ambitious pricing strategy

Initial speculation surrounding the potential price of the new C5 Aircross, particularly reported by various media during its presentation in late April, suggested a remarkably aggressive base price positioning. Rumours hinted at a version equipped with the Hybrid 145 powertrain being offered below the symbolic threshold of €35,000. This figure is particularly striking as it would represent, according to these same sources, a difference of approximately €4,500 compared to a Peugeot 3008 equipped with an equivalent hybrid powertrain. This significant price gap, if confirmed for the hybrid version, would open up a particularly interesting perspective for the electric variants of the C5 Aircross. Sharing the same technical platform (STLA Medium) and the same motor-battery assembly as the Lion brand's SUV, it would be logical to extrapolate this pricing advantage. If the €4,500 price difference were maintained, it would mean that the new electric C5 Aircross, in its base configuration, could be offered just below the €40,000 mark, excluding government incentives. Such positioning, if it materializes, would be perfectly aligned with the brand's overall strategy and represent a very strong value proposition in the market. Citroën is clearly demonstrating a strong desire to make electric mobility more accessible, even in market segments that are traditionally more expensive. This approach echoes the steps already taken for the new C3 and C3 Aircross, designed from the outset to be among the most competitive in their respective categories, especially in their electric versions, reinforcing Citroën's commitment to affordable zero-emission mobility for all.

Facing the competition: a price that would make waves

To better understand the potential impact of such a pricing position, it is essential to compare these estimates with the prices charged by the main competitors in the highly competitive compact electric SUV segment. Currently, entry-level prices for comparable models are significantly higher. A Peugeot e-3008 Allure, equipped with a 210 horsepower motor and offering a respectable 524 km of range according to the WLTP cycle, is listed at a base price of €44,990. The Renault Scénic E-Tech, another major player in the segment, starts at €41,990 in its entry-level version with a 170 hp motor and 429 km of range, while the Long Range version, more powerful (220 hp) and offering 623 km of range, reaches €46,990. The Opel Grandland electric, which also shares its technical base with the C5 Aircross and the 3008, offers a similar package with 210 hp and 523 km of range, starting at €44,490. Even the Skoda Enyaq, a well-established competitor in the market, with 286 hp and 558 km of range, starts from €46,970. Faced with this price landscape, a new electric C5 Aircross potentially offered below €40,000 would stand out dramatically. It would potentially become the most accessible electric compact SUV on the market among the most relevant offerings in terms of size and features. Such a bold move would perfectly illustrate Citroën's desire to challenge the norms of electric mobility and make "zero emission" vehicles more affordable, in line with the ambition clearly expressed by Laurent Diot, Citroën's European Sales Director. In a recent interview for Passionnément Citroën, he notably stated that the brand "ensures that for electric cars, we have the most competitive offer in each segment". The new electric C5 Aircross, should it confirm a price below €40,000, would be the perfect illustration of this strategy in a key market segment.

Beyond pricing considerations, the new Citroën C5 Aircross already presents itself as a spectacular vehicle in many respects. Its exterior and interior styling, deeply revised to incorporate the brand's new design language inspired by the OLI concept, gives it a unique and bold personality in today's automotive landscape. Citroën has also placed a strong emphasis on the fundamentals that have built its reputation: excellent habitability designed to comfortably accommodate the whole family and promised wonderful comfort, notably thanks to the progressive hydraulic cushion suspensions so characteristic of the brand. These inherent qualities already position the C5 Aircross as a different and attractive proposition in the compact SUV market. However, if, in addition to these styling, space, and comfort assets, Citroën were to confirm such a well-placed price for its electric version, particularly by offering it below the €40,000 mark, the C5 Aircross would then become not only unique for its design and comfort but also exceptional for its accessibility in the electric segment.

It is crucial to remember, in conclusion, that at this stage, these prices are merely speculations based on rumours and market analyses derived from an announced strategic positioning. The official confirmation of the prices and the various configurations of the new Citroën C5 Aircross is expected next June. Only then will we know if Citroën will materialize this potentially revolutionary pricing position and if the new electric C5 Aircross will establish itself as the most accessible "zero emission" compact SUV on the market, thereby redefining expectations in this growing segment. Optimism is warranted, as the brand's stated ambition is clear.