Battery size: 73-98kWh
Miles per kWh: 4.4
E-Rating™: C
Max charge rate: 160 kW
Range: 326 - 435 miles 
Introduction
This is Citroen’s first car using the STLA Medium platform, which is the same underpinnings as the Vauxhall Grandland, Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008, the new Jeep Compass, and a couple of DS models in future too. It will be offered with internal combustion, as well as a plug-in hybrid with a very decent electric range of up to 53 miles.
We’ll be focussing, here, on the fully electric e-C5 Aircross model that will have two batteries on offer, delivering a WLTP range of up to 323 or 422-miles.
Power comes from an electric motor that drives the front wheels, and will deliver 201bhp in the e-C5 Aircross 210 Standard Range model, or the longer range 230 Extended Range gets 227bhp. Every C5 Aircross model also gets the trademark ‘Progressive Hydraulic Cushions’ for super-smooth ride comfort.
There’s no four-wheel drive Citroen e-C5 Aircross, for now, and no seven-seat model! Which I think is a shame, but at least you can get the Peugeot E-5008 or Mercedes EQB if you’re after a seven-seat SUV that’s a bit less pricey than the Hyundai Ioniq 9 or Kia EV9.
Range, battery and charging
The Citroen e-C5 Aircross will be offered with either a 73- or 97kWh lithium-ion NMC battery, which will deliver WLTP official range of up to 323- or 422 miles respectively. We’ll have to wait and see what the real-world range is like, but we’ve struggled with the everyday range on our long term Peugeot E-3008, which uses the same platform and running gear as the e-C5 Aircross, so hopefully the Citroen will have improved on that.
Citroen has also finally caught up with the likes of MG, Kia and Hyundai, and will be offering vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging on the new e-C5 Aircross, as standard. This means that you can use the car’s high voltage battery to charge other devices; maybe you want to run your strimmer from it, down at the allotment. Or keep a portable fridge cold while you’re camping. You get the gist. It’s a really neat function to have, and I’m so glad that Stellantis vehicles are finally getting it!
As for charging, AC charging is up to 11kW, which is useful for making the most of faster kerbside chargers that you often find in town. At home, most owners will charge using a 7kW home charger, which will full charge the e-C5 Aircross in around 12- to 16 hours depending on which battery you’ve got.
Rapid charging is up to 160kW, which is good for a 10- to 80% charge in around 30 minutes.
Practicality and boot space
Boot space is very decent in the e-C5 Aircross. With 565-litres of space on offer it’s not quite as big as the Skoda Enyaq, but still massive and there’s underfloor storage for the cables. Unfortunately (as with most of the cars on the Stellants STLA-Medium platform) there’s no ‘frunk’. You can fold the seats flat in a 40/20/40 split, though, so that you can get your skis through the middle of the rear bench while still comfortably carrying four passengers.
It’s roomy and comfortable in the back seats, too; I had masses of leg room, and the panoramic glass roof on the top-spec car makes it all very light and airy. The seat backs also recline, to give you that full lounge experience.
It really is a very smart-feeling interior, in the e-C5 – especially the lighter interior. I suspect that’s one of the things that will swing the decision over the obvious competition. Mind you, the pale textile finishes that I like so much might not be so great when it comes to removing the chocolate and grubby fingerprint stains left by the little darlings…
Interior, design/styling and technology
Citroen is very proud of its Advanced Comfort seats and what’s been dubbed ‘Sofa Zen’ interior, and rightly so. The seats are super-cushy and comfortable, with more squidginess than you’ll find in any rival I can think of. There’s even a pleasantly squidgy finish on the centre armrest and around the doors, so it does all feel very cosseting.
If you get the full electric adjustment on top-spec Max cars, you also get tilt adjustment for the driver’s seat base – meaning that you can adjust the height of the seat base under your thighs or under your bum, rather than it just lifting up- or down by one axis point. Sounds like a minor thing, but I find that tilt adjustment really helps me to get comfortable when I’m driving.
Probably more important for most is that there’s a new central ‘Cascade’ touchscreen infotainment system, complete with a large, portrait screen. It’s a very different setup to the infotainment that you find in the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008, or the Jeep Compass that also shares this platform. In fact, the Citroen’s system is a bit more reminiscent of the screen in a Tesla Model Y or BYD Sealion 7, and I rather like it. Even though the air-con temperature controls are integrated into the screen, they’re permanently visible and absolutely massive, to make them easy to hit on the move.
You can also set the screen to a subtle, uncluttered view so that it’s not distracting at night, and it’s pretty easy to navigate. It’s a huge improvement over previous Citroen infotainment systems, I’d say, and would be pretty easy to live with. Naturally, you get voice control, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
There’s also a head-up display available, as well as tons of storage space, a sunglasses holder and big door bins. Maybe there’s a bit too much gloss black, but generally the e-C5 Aircross feels great inside.
Motors, performance and handling
The Citroen e-C5 is an easygoing car to drive, as you’d expect. It feels comfortable, but there’s not quite so much body wobble when you brake hard or go through faster direction changes, as there is on the Vauxhall Grandland (another car that shares the e-C5 Aircross’ platform). Our test car came on 20-inch alloy wheels, and that did make it feel a tiny bit brittle over very scruffy town roads, but most of the time it road fairly well. Still a bit of thumping over bigger potholes, but generally pretty serene.
Performance is fine even in the lower-powered, 210ps model with the 73kWh battery. The 0-62mph of 8.9 seconds sounds a bit lethargic on paper but in practice the Citroen feels responsive enough to give you confidence even in faster motorway merges or the odd overtake. It’s no sports-SUV; even the normal versions of the Skoda Enyaq (never mind the hot vRS) has a bit more gumption to the way it goes down the road. But the Citroen has a rather peachy, gentle attitude that eases you through the journey. It’s intuitive and relaxing, and that’s fine by us.
I also really like the brake regen’ system that’s controlled on the paddels, and has three modes that you can toggle through, plus has an adaptive mode. It’s really good to have such easy control of the regen’, and all the modes are smooth and predictable. Does the Citroen feel a bit remote and heavy next to some of its rivals? Yes, it does. There are nicer options if you wanr something that feels a bit fun on a good road, but while the way it drives isn’t likely to be why you buy it, the Citroen is still a pleasant way to travel by any standard.
Running costs and pricing
UK prices start at an impressive £34,065 for the YOU! model with the 'Comfort Range' battery. The most expensive currently is the MAX at £39,345 - but we only have the prices for the smaller power pack currently. Expect a to pay a chunk more for the bigger battery when it arrives. .Heated seats, that big Cascade touchscreen, and a reversing camera will likely be standard across the range. A panoramic glass roof, head-up display, Matrix LED headlights and semi-autonomous lane change function will all be available on higher-spec models. MAX versions also gain a standard heat pump for improved winter efficiency.
Verdict
I like the Citroen e-C5 Aircross. I think it looks pretty cool, with its ‘light wing’ rear cluster design; it looks a bit whacky. And it needs that, given how much competition it’s got. I mean, it’s more interesting than the Tesla Model Y, isn’t it?! And is much comfier, too, while prices are very competitive. Overall, it's a really likeable and kind of funky family electric SUV. I do think Citroen would do well to add a seven-seat version to the lineup, to give the e-C5 a bit more of a USP against some of its rivals, as it really is swamped with competition. Overall, the e-C5 is a rather nice way to travel, and a very recommendable family EV.
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