Citroen C5 (2008 - 2016)
2.0 Tourer + SatNav
Luxury
I have now had this car for 2 months and have done 4000 miles. I previously owned the old version of the C5, with the HydroElastic suspension. The model I now have has springs.
Lets get the bad things out of the way first.
Pocket space in the front of the car. There isn't any. There are some little doors that open to reveal tiny spaces behind.
Control panel. I sat for hours with the manual trying to work out different functions on the the entertainment unit, and I am a computer engineer. In truth, it is like flying a plane, and probably takes as long to learn.
Space. Well I have no complaint about the passenger space, but it is true, that there is less room in the luggage area than the old version, so be careful if that is your main need.
Ok, so having got the only things I can find to complain about out of the way here goes with the good, and there is a lot of it.
Firstly, everyone who sees it says "that is a good looking car", which is a relief, because when brought home the old VTR, my daughter said "why have you bought such an ugly car"?
When I learned that my new car would not have the Hydroelastic suspension, I was very worried. I needn't have worried. The car is VERY comfortable. The steering is very responsive, and does not show the problem of scuffing the tyres on hard lock that the old car did. Cirtroen certainly know a thing or two about suspension whether Hydroelastic or spring.
The inbuilt Sat Nav is not so easy to use as many stand alone units, but what it lacks is more than made up for by the fact that you can switch it on by voice. My wife is now able to see the same things I am seeing, and the zoom in or out is fast. No longer do I need to pay the £30 annual subscription for road updates, they come free and are displayed over the top of the map.
All round sensors for parking. I used to get out of the old C5 several time to see how much space was left. No more. Thinking about it I once reversed into a telegraph pole in a car park in Aberystwyth, hopefully that danger is now gone.
The Telephone. Well there is a thing. I would never answer my mobile if it rang in the car. Now, I can simply say "Telphone - Call - Fred" and the car answers with "Call to Fred in operation". Everyone in the car can join in the discussion. If you recieve a text, it can be displayed on the screen or read out to you. Cool.
Now comfort. I am an old man (50 something). I am not a boy racer. This car is not for people who want to race, although it has the power if you need it. This car is for people like me who do many hours of motorway driving and want comfort. It is very quiet in the cab. The six speed gear box is perfect. If I stay in 3rd, I almost automatically keep to the 30 Mile/Hr speed limit. If I get on the motorwar and go into 6th, the car glides, I said glides along with revs under 2000. I have a combined fuel usage of 51.5 MPG, those figures are from measuring the mileage covered and the fuel put in, not from the onboard computer. The cruise control takes a lot of the strain from long journeys, although I keep hitting the end of the indicator stick as in the old model, the button for cruise was located there. The seats are very comfortable. The gear change is smooth and I like being able to rest my arm on the central box.
I have not changed a light bulb yet, but have tested that I can get them in and out, something that really got me down on the old model C5.
What more can I say. I love it. I look forward to going to work for a chance to drive it. It won't suite everyone, but I suspect if your not the sort of person who revs up and lets the clutch out and then brakes hard at the lights, you will love it too.
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About this car
Price | £17,195–£30,440 |
---|---|
Road Tax | B–J |
MPG | 33.2–72.4 mpg |
Real MPG | 88.3% |