[REVIEW] 2025 Citroën C5 Aircross Electric: enjoy an impressive 520 km range in absolute comfort

The long-awaited test drive of the new Citroën C5 Aircross is finally here. This second-generation electrified model offers a choice of three engines: a 145 hp hybrid, a 195 hp plug-in hybrid and two electric versions with a range of up to 680 kilometres. Having spent about ten days behind the wheel of the "Comfort Range" version, which boasts a range of 520 km, what conclusions can be drawn about the brand's new flagship model? The verdict.

A bold and aerodynamic design serving efficiency

Eager to see the new C5 Aircross in natural light and normal conditions, I took it out on the street, far from the idealised setting of a presentation. The least one can say is that this second-generation large Citroën SUV has lost none of its appeal on the road. Its style, characterised by taut lines, and its significantly increased dimensions (4.65 metres, or +15 centimetres), propel it into a new dimension. The rounded look of the previous generation has gone; here we have an SUV with a bold style and strong personality that nevertheless avoids the pitfalls of aggressive lines. Instead, it exudes a quiet strength, eschewing the visual gimmicks of many of its competitors to offer a design focused on aerodynamic efficiency.

Airflow guides the lines of the C5 Aircross

The front end is simple and features headlights incorporating Citroën's signature three-point lighting. This signature has been reimagined with two horizontal bars that frame two vertically arranged squares. The headlights are joined by a simple black strip bearing the brand's new white emblem. For environmental reasons, chrome is disappearing from our cars, and Citroën has chosen white to provide a strong contrast with the black strip. The rest of the front end is straightforward, although it features horizontal lines that visually widen the car, as well as vertical Colour Clips that remain true to the horizontal and vertical theme that has been a feature of Citroën designs since the Oli concept.

The profile also demonstrates a focus on aerodynamics; however, there is a contrast between the very simple front end and the highly sculpted rear, which is designed to allow air to flow around the car without creating excessive drag and thus maximising the electric range. This design will also benefit the combustion engine versions, reducing their fuel consumption. The most striking feature of this profile is the unusual roofline, which rises gradually above the rear seats before dropping sharply. While the aerodynamic advantage is clear, this distinctive line also nods to the first-generation C5 Aircross, whose highest point was at the level of the rear seats, just like this new generation. The rear quarter panel is highly sculpted and features a black, comb-like design to guide airflow.

The most significant changes are revealed at the rear, where Citroën's signature originality and boldness truly shine. The taillights, known as Citroën Light Wings, protrude from the bodywork like aeroplane wings and are undoubtedly the most striking feature, epitomising the C5 Aircross's daring style. However, this overlooks the efforts of the brand's design teams, who have created a rear window that is noticeably more curved than the lower part of the tailgate, as well as focusing on the C5 Aircross's lines to guide airflow. The work on the lower bumper is particularly noteworthy.

An interior that feels like an extension of the home

This Max trim level features a Hype Grey interior that creates a particularly pleasant atmosphere in the cabin. The light-coloured seats contribute to the bright and welcoming ambiance of the C5 Aircross. Citroën aims to offer vehicles that feel like an extension of the home, a goal that is particularly achieved with this second generation of the C5 Aircross.

At the front, the dashboard adopts the C-Zen Lounge concept, first introduced on the new C3. The horizontal dashboard does not encroach on the front space. The lower section incorporates the Sofa Design principle, extending onto the door panels to envelop passengers in a warm, light-filled space. You almost feel like you're sitting on a sofa. This is especially true given the exceptional comfort of the Advanced Comfort seats, which offer excellent initial softness and superb long-distance support. Heated, ventilated and massaging on this Max trim level, they also feature electrically adjustable lumbar support, allowing you to truly settle into the seat and become one with the car.

The dashboard houses a 10-inch instrument cluster that is particularly easy to read thanks to the steering wheel, which retains the design of the C3 and C3 Aircross but has a more circular shape and is larger. This top-of-the-range version of the C5 Aircross even has a head-up display projected onto the windshield that is 30% larger than that of the C5 X and displays all the essential driving information, meaning the cluster could even be entirely absent. It is so effective that the cluster might seem superfluous. Undoubtedly the highlight is the 13-inch cascading screen, which sits proudly in the centre of the dashboard and brings a welcome dose of technology to the C5 Aircross, making the interior feel extremely modern. I will come back to how this screen is used later. It is the largest offered by Stellantis and proved particularly efficient, fluid and effective throughout this test drive.

At the rear, the brand's new large SUV abandons the three individual seats that characterised the previous generation, instead opting for a 40/20/40 split-folding bench seat with reclining backrests to maximise rear passenger comfort. Thanks to its 2,784 mm wheelbase — 6 cm longer than the previous model — the C5 Aircross offers 51 mm more rear legroom, making it the best in its class.

Finally, the 651-litre boot, available regardless of the engine, offers a capacity of between 580 and 720 litres compared to the previous generation. However, the compartment is very well designed, with straight sides and a fully usable volume. A flat load floor provides a smooth loading sill which can be lowered to maximise cargo space.

A new generation with a modern, personal and efficient style

The new C5 Aircross was certainly expected to surpass the first generation, which, despite achieving good sales figures, remained a challenger. The C5 Aircross boasts all the qualities needed to become a leader in its segment. Its distinctive style is more assertive than that of the previous generation, and it boldly and originally prioritises aerodynamic efficiency. In short, it is a truly great Citroën. This is also evident inside, where the pleasant atmosphere is reminiscent of a living room. Bright, warm and modern, the cabin is virtually flawless, offering wonderfully comfortable seats, ample space, a generously sized and easily accessible boot, and practical storage compartments throughout. The only slight drawback is the hard plastic on the tops of the doors, though this does not affect the quality of the build.

On the road, the electric version is on par with its combustion engine counterparts.

The second generation of the Citroën C5 Aircross has a strong focus on electrification, with all engines featuring an electric component. This ranges from the smallest engine, the 145 Hybrid, to the largest, the ë-C5 Aircross, which boasts a range of 520 km. A second version extends this range even further, to 680 km, making the C5 Aircross one of the compact SUVs with the greatest driving range. This test focuses on the 'Comfort Range' version, which offers 520 km. Does its range allow for use outside urban and suburban areas? Could it be the ideal vehicle for family holidays? Let's find out.

Sufficient and adjustable power

The Comfort Range version has 210 hp, and the Long Range version has 230 hp. As with all electric powertrains, power and torque are instantly available, providing more than adequate performance for everyday driving. This allows you to easily maintain legal speeds, regardless of the route or vehicle load. The ë-C5 Aircross, however, offers three different driving modes: Normal, Comfort and Sport. Sport mode provides the full power output. Therefore, choose this mode if you require more power, bearing in mind that this will slightly reduce your driving range. Selecting the power modes is simple: just flip the button on the centre console below the driving controls and select the desired mode. You will see a nice little animation on the infotainment screen and the interior lighting ambiance will change.

True mastery of fuel consumption

As we saw earlier, the C5 Aircross is a vehicle whose aerodynamics have been designed to maximise range, which is crucial for an electric vehicle. With a range of 520 km, the Citroën C5 Aircross is on par with the Peugeot 3008, which has the same motor-battery system. The difference is that the Citroën SUV is 15 cm longer and does not have a coupé-style profile. This speaks volumes about the performance achieved by the brand's teams. With a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.745, the C5 Aircross is slightly more efficient than the Peugeot 3008 (Cd of 0.75), despite being larger and heavier at 2,109 kg — 5 kg less than the Peugeot SUV.

During my test drive, which covered around 100 km of highways, secondary/national roads and city driving, the C5 Aircross averaged 16.5 kWh, delivering excellent performance in the city and on secondary/national roads, where consumption was just 12 kWh. This gives the C5 Aircross a city range of up to 614 km. However, I should point out that the weather conditions, with a maximum temperature of 14°C, led me to turn off the air conditioning and activate the heated seats and steering wheel instead, as is recommended for electric cars. With these features activated, the consumption is particularly reasonable considering the size of this Citroën SUV. Consumption is rather high on the motorway, at 20.3 kWh, which is quite typical for such a vehicle and reduces the maximum range to 350 km. Fortunately, the C5 Aircross offers fast charging, with a power output of 160 kW allowing the battery to charge from 20 to 80% in just 30 minutes.

Furthermore, the C5 Aircross is equipped with paddles that allow you to adjust energy recuperation across three modes, ranging from near-coasting to almost complete stopping. I must admit that having the ability to manage energy recuperation is a real step forward. This was the case with the ë-Berlingo and is also true of the C5 Aircross. When recuperation is set to the highest level, the C5 Aircross almost comes to a complete stop, crawling along at around 10 km/h. This eliminates the need for the brake pedal, which is only required for complete stops or in emergencies. It is now also possible to let the C5 Aircross coast on the motorway. Here again, this is a significant improvement, as it finally enables driving on motorways where you can fully release the accelerator without the car braking, providing a notable increase in comfort.

Absolute comfort

Even if the C5 X might be considered superior, the new C5 Aircross couldn't possibly disappoint in terms of comfort on this premium SUV, which represents the new flagship of the range. And, as promised, it doesn't. Thanks to its Advanced Comfort seats and suspension featuring double hydraulic bump stops on all four wheels, as well as a multi-link rear axle, this electric Citroën SUV performs wonderfully on all types of terrain. Tuned less softly than the previous generation, slight vibrations are only transmitted through the rear axle when encountering deep potholes or manhole covers. The 19-inch wheels on this test version do not help, but this C5 Aircross lives up to the brand's best achievements. On motorways and main roads, it is absolutely superb at filtering out road imperfections. Seated comfortably in the superb Advanced Comfort seats, which are wonderfully plush yet offer excellent long-term support and are perfectly positioned thanks to the electric lumbar adjustment — a first for Citroën — you feel truly connected to the vehicle. The C5 Aircross is virtually flawless and comes very close to Citroën's hydraulic suspension. There are still some minor jolts, mainly felt in the rear suspension, particularly during city driving. However, the overall comfort of this C5 Aircross is stunningly pleasant.

This is especially true given the excellent soundproofing: road noise is virtually inaudible, and wind noise is well controlled. The Citroën SUV fully benefits from the added comfort of its electric powertrain, offering a smooth, quiet ride that provides an exceptional driving experience... a real treat for everyday use.

A modern and technologically advanced interior ambience

For several years, Citroën has been striving to create cars that feel like an extension of the home. With this new generation of the C5 Aircross, they have succeeded perfectly. The bright, airy cabin is luminous and welcoming, visibility is excellent and the overall package delivers remarkable performance, making this electric SUV a true extension of your living room. The interior is technologically advanced, and special mention must go to the large 13-inch cascading screen — the largest offered by Stellantis — which is fast, fluid, customisable and intuitive, and a marvel to use every day. The Energy menu also deserves a special mention, as it now features a 'Consumption' tab where you can see both the instantaneous energy consumption for the journey and the energy recuperation. During the test drive, I found that setting the energy recuperation to maximum in the city enabled up to 30% of the energy consumed by the C5 Aircross to be recovered. This menu is intended to be informative, but it also allows you to accurately measure the impact of driving on consumption, and therefore range. This is especially useful since you can also see the impact on consumption of the engine, air conditioning, and other features.

Invaluable and non-intrusive technological assistance

Priced at almost €47,000, the electric Citroën C5 Aircross comes with a host of features as standard, including a variety of driver assistance systems with settings that are well-suited and operate smoothly without being overly intrusive. The mandatory GSR2 driver assistance systems are still present, of course, but can be easily deactivated using the bar on the centre console. A short press allows you to customise the assistance features, while a long press deactivates the ones you have selected. Simple, basic and effective. Thanks to its excellent all-round visibility, parking in the city is child's play with this C5 Aircross, especially since it has all the necessary assistance features, including a remarkably high-definition 360° camera that provides an incredibly efficient view of your surroundings.

What I liked:

• The original, unmistakably Citroën style, and the soothing interior atmosphere.

• The superb comfort in all circumstances — a daily pleasure!

• The efficiency that puts this electric version on a par with its combustion engine counterparts, even on the motorway.

What I liked less:

• The hard plastic door panels, which contrast with the soft fabric surfaces.

Conclusion: Promises kept for the perfect SUV

It goes without saying that the new C5 Aircross has won me over, as the previous models have already proven. I had high hopes for the C5 Aircross, as it was intended to showcase the best of Citroën's design and comfort capabilities. I must say that I wasn't disappointed: this second-generation model is perfect in every respect. With its original and unique exterior style, modern technological yet welcoming interior, superb comfort that makes every journey a pleasure and remarkable efficiency that allows for extremely low fuel consumption, this C5 Aircross ticks all the boxes for true success. One could always nitpick about a couple of details and perfection doesn't exist, but this new generation of the C5 Aircross is very nearly perfect, far exceeding its price point. For that alone, it's fantastic.