2ltr HDi 160 Exclusive Estate

Quiet, comfortable and competent cruiser.

This is my first Citroen and I am a convert. The car has a few quirks but I'm happy to live with them as the C5 is so quiet and comfortable and has a real feeling of luxury. Before this I had a 2008 2ltr diesel Mondeo Zetec estate which was a great car to drive but the 'sporty' ride was becoming increasingly tiring on anything less than perfectly smooth tarmac. In contrast, the Citroen shuts out the outside world and isolates you from the road in a way that you can't help but enjoy and allows you to eat up miles, even on poor roads, with ease. It feels solid and well made and looks great too. The Hydractive suspension takes a few miles to get used to but I wouldn't go back to conventional steel springs now (although I may have to eventually as this is supposedly the last Citroen to feature their unique take on suspension).

The engine is smooth and powerful, making overtaking and cruising effortless. Inside the car you barely know it's running at idle - even at full revs the engine is a distant sound, never really intruding in to the cabin. The spec as standard is great, with all the features you could possibly need - Citroen's adaptive headlights are a revelation. The laminated glass, aerodynamics and extra door seals keep wind noise to a minimum, even at high motorway speeds. Passenger comfort is excellent too with a decent amount of room in the back, comfy seats and individual air vents.

Fuel economy isn't quite as good as the Mondeo I had but then the Citroen is a little heavier and has more power. Interior storage is poor with a very small glove-box, small door pockets and a very impractical cup holder. The car switches to 'economy mode' if the battery voltage drops too low, this means that everything electrical shuts down, including the manual override for the electric tailgate... When I first bought the car, it regularly went in to economy mode after 5 minutes which was frustrating. Both Citroen and Kwik Fit said that the battery tested fine but needed a good charge and it had no problem starting the car. One charger purchased, followed by one new battery shortly after and economy mode doesn't show up for a good half an hour or more. The electric parking brake is less controllable during maneuvering than a regular handbrake, although the foot brake is held on for two seconds after releasing in reverse gear, allowing you to get your foot to the accelerator and get moving. It takes a while to put your faith in it on hills but once you get the hang of it, it makes maneuvering far easier.

Slight niggles aside, the C5 is an awesome car. It drives very well and is leagues ahead of it's rivals in terms of comfort and luxury. If you're after an involving, sporty drive, it perhaps is not the car for you. If you're looking to to travel to your destination in serenity and arrive feeling calm and rested, you'll love it.

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