2022 Citroen C5 X Review

Citroen Australia has confirmed it plans on launching the new C5 X here later in 2022 and it is currently unknown if that will be the normal petrol version, PHEV version, or both. While any specifications or pricing have not been confirmed yet, we can certainly look at Europe to see what is on offer.

The C5 X has access to a choice of three powertrains – two petrols and a plug-in hybrid. The regular motors are the well-proven 1.2-litre three-cylinder PureTech producing 95kW and 230Nm of torque, and a four-cylinder 1.6-litre unit with 133kW and 250Nm.

The plug-in hybrid driven here, meanwhile, is stock Stellantis fare as well: the same 1.6-litre PureTech mixed with a 81kW electric motor for a combined peak output of 165kW. The battery capacity is 12.4kWh, enough for up to 55km of pure-electric motoring after less than two hours connected to a 7kW home wallbox.

Despite the jacked-up looks, all versions of the car are front-wheel drive, and there’s a single eight-speed automatic transmission offered across the range. And that Chinese manufacturing base means there’s no diesel option.

Underneath it all, of course, is Stellantis’s EMP2 platform – but the C5 X does feature Citroen’s most comprehensive attempt yet to offer standout comfort in the class. Citroen’s Progressive Hydraulic Cushions – in effect, hydraulic bump stops – are now joined by the Active Suspension technology that was first seen on the DS 7 Crossback. It uses sensors to read the road surface, allowing software to then adjust the hydraulic dampers themselves. As a sign of how Citroen wants to pitch the C5 X as a big comfortable cruiser, both of these technologies are offered on all versions as standard.