Exclusive 2.0 HDi 16v 160 5dr Estate

The only thing to replace a C5 estate is another C5 estate

This is my second C5, the previous one being a 2005 1.6Hdi, which is still with us. These later high-spec estates sell quickly so I had to buy before I really needed to but don't regret it. The car (with Hydractive 3+ suspension) is supremely comfortable and is quieter than the previous model due to better insulation. I will look at Conti tyres instead of Michelins at change time because there is a boom on concrete motorways that I've never noticed in previous cars - perhaps because this one is so quiet otherwise.

The various electronic bells and whistles on the fixed-hub steering wheel and elsewhere do take some getting used to but once mastered are fine (if you've ever driven an early CX, or a GSA, you'll know that Citroën are not always bothered with being like other manufacturers, although this is less ergonomically successful than the former). It's just a matter of sitting down with the manual and working out all the things you can do. I'm disappointed that Citroën have dropped the fixed-hub, evidently on weight grounds.

It's a fairly large car and needs care in town; on A roads is fine and on motorways is awesome. A C5 rewards the correct approach to driving with serenity but is not without ability on the twisties - it just doesn't much think you should be emulating the Paris-Dakar and can become a handful - though never dangerously so. Personally, I prefer to drive it on its own terms. Not tried it in the snow yet but the previous model is front end heavy and benefits greatly from winter tyres. The brakes are typical of the brand and are quite sharp but immensely powerful. The electronic handbrake is counter-intuitive at first but works well. It takes courage to drive off with it still engaged but that's what you have to do - if you forget and don't put in the revs, the car will stall.

Passengers love it but the load space is somewhat down on the previous incarnation.

The real question is: what on earth will I ever replace it with? Let's hope that Citroën's much heralded new European large car will have an estate version. Nobody does the large estate quite like the people from Saint-Ouen.

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