Citroen C5 Aircross – 4 Reasons To Buy & Not Buy
Citroen has launched its first product for India, which does have a lot going for it, but is not without flaws and we tell you what is good about it and what is not.
Citroen has provided buyers a fair few reasons to buy the C5 Aircross premium SUV that was put on sale in the country a couple of days ago.
Sporting unique styling, the SUV comes loaded with features, has a practical cabin layout, good safety kit and a punchy diesel motor.
However, the car does have a few negative points, chief among which is the rather premium pricing which is also introductory. Let us look at both positive and negative points of the SUV.
Citroen C5 Aircross 4 Reasons To Buy
Design – Since it is Citroen’s first model for India, the C5 Aircross comes with a modern design that will enable it to stand out from the crowd. Be it the split headlight cluster, the large tail lamps, C-shaped chrome window garnish or the trapezoidal design elements, the SUV does have an inimitable design.
Features & Practicality – Offered in only 2 variants – Feel and Shine – the C5 Aircross can be had with full LED lighting, electric and heated ORVMs, a digital driver display, 8-inch touchscreen, panoramic sunroof, handsfree electric tailgate, among several other features. With that being the case, the car also has 3 individually adjustable seats at the rear, plentiful stowages, and a large boot.
Diesel Engine – Available only with a 2.0-litre diesel engine, the SUV has 177 PS maximum power and 400 Nm of peak torque. It comes paired with an 8-speed auto and suits the car’s character rather well. The powerplant is responsive and there are drive modes, including a ‘Sport’ mode for driver’s to fiddle around.
Ride Quality – This is 1 department where the C5 Aircross has all its competition beat. Be it the way the seats are designed to the way the suspension is tuned, the SUV will please everyone who take it out for a drive with its impeccable mastery over the questionable state of the Indian road network.
4 Reasons To Not Buy
Missing Features – For some, the car should have features such as 360 degree camera, wireless device charging, ventilated front seats, among others for the asking price. Being a premium product necessitates that it come with all the bells and whistles one would expect in this price range.
No AWD – Citroen does not sell the car as an all-wheel drive (AWD) model, which is a bummer. Although the SUV comes with ‘Grip Control’ modes, many would like for the SUV to feature a proper AWD system.
Price – This might be the important factor which works against the list of Citroen C5 Aircross reasons to buy, for the entry-level variant of the SUV costs Rs. 29.90 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi). Its primary rivals, like the Jeep Compass and Hyundai Tucson, cost less.
Limited Service Network – At present, the carmaker has only 10 outlets across the nation and plans to cover 50 cities through its online model. This means getting the car serviced will be a bit of a faff in the case a buyer does not live in the cities with the outlets. However, Citroen does have service vehicles which can be summoned by customers when in need. Still, the brand has to expand its reach in the nation.
