Citroen C5 3.0 V6 HDi Road Test Report

Performance

A 3.0-litre V6 in a family saloon or estate is guaranteed to deliver strong performance, but when that engine is the same V6 turbodiesel used by Jaguar and Land Rover, the Citroen C5 is off to a flying start. Packing 240bhp and a considerable 332lb ft of shove at just 1600rpm, this engine takes the C5 saloon from 0-62mph in 8.0 seconds and on to 151mph. The Tourer estate version needs 8.2 seconds to cover 0-62mph and top speed is 150mph, but neither version of the French family car is a slouch. More impressive still is the way the C5’s 3.0 V6 HDi turbodiesel builds speed while on the move. Its six-speed automatic gearbox is smooth and jerk-free while changing gears, helping the sensation of a seamless, solid gathering of pace. All this and the C5 remains superbly refined thanks to a hushed engine and little wind or road noise.

Ride & Handling

Citroen ploughs its own furrow when it comes to balancing ride and handling. Where so many rivals place handling first on the list of must-haves, Citroen goes the other way and emphasises the importance of comfort. In most other family cars, this balance would feel out of kilter, but in a Citroen it’s spot-on as the whole car has been produced with this set-up in mind. As a result, the C5 wafts over broken road surfaces with barely a bump from the suspension, though some low-speed ruts can be felt in town. On the motorway, the C5 V6 HDi is imperious and can teach a thing or two about comfort to several cars from the class above. With the C5 tuned more for serene comfort, you might think the handling is wallowy, but the C5 grips will through corners with not too much lean and well controlled suspension movement. It’s not as sharp as a Ford Mondeo and the C5’s steering is very light, but it’s how we expect a large Citroen to handle and behave, and it acts as a welcome counterpoint to most family cars’ pursuit of handling over contented comfort.

Build Quality & Reliability

The previous Citroen C5 had a woeful reliability record, but the new model is indicative of Citroen’s push to improve matters. Its cabin is made from far more substantial materials and appears much more solidly screwed together. So far, the new C5 has also proved an altogether more reliable machine, too, thanks to reliable electrics – a problem that dogged the previous model. The 3.0 V6 turbodiesel is already impressing with its performance and pedigree, so no concerns there and the six-speed automatic gearbox appears more than up to the job. In time, the C5’s three-star score could easily go up a notch as it establishes a healthy track record for quality and reliability, but we’ll wait for just now until the evidence is conclusive.

Safety & Security

The C5 comes with seven airbags as standard, including one for the driver’s knees, while anti-lock brakes and ESP traction and stability control are also included. Another feature are lights that come one when the indicator is used or the steering turned at low speeds to illuminate the side of the road at low speeds. Buyers can also choose headlights that ‘curve’ around corners by swivelling in tune to the steering wheel’s movements. All C5s come with an alarm and immobiliser, while the 3.0 V6 turbodiesel models further benefit from standard laminated side glass that won’t shatter when attacked, making it very difficult for thieves to enter the car by breaking a window.

Space & Practicality

The Citroen C5 Tourer is a hugely practical estate car, helped by 60/40 split rear seats that fold to leave a flat load floor, even if you have to flip up the rear seat bases to achieve to this. With the rear seats occupied by people, the boot is still large, though the rake of the rear windscreen means the ultimate load space is not quite as generous as some rivals’. Choose the C5 saloon and the boot is still large, but not hatchback limits its practicality. Both saloon and estate C5s offer masses of rear seat space and those in the front are very well looked after. The driver has plenty of adjustment in the steering and seat positions to get comfortable, with only the centre console’s profusion of small buttons letting the side down. Otherwise, the C5 is easy to see out of in all directions, simple to park and fits into normal parking spots easily despite feeling like a large car from the driver’s seat.

Ownership & Value

A V6-engined Citroen saloon or estate is not destined to hold its value very well, so the generous discount you receive when buying new is necessary to offset the heavier than class norm depreciation. The upside to this is you get that creamy V6 turbodiesel and a C5 in the top spec Exclusive trim. This includes climate and cruise controls, part leather seats, CD stereo, all-round electric windows and snazzy alloy wheels. Another plus is the V6 diesel turns in 38.2mpg combined economy, which is very good for a large engined car with auto ’box, while emissions are acceptable at 195g/km for both the saloon and estate. However, group 16 insurance is three groups higher than the next plushest C5 model. Still, Citroen running costs are reasonable, servicing is affordable and the C5 comes with Citroen’s three-year, 60,000-mile warranty.