The company should be given kudos for bringing back to South Africa the Citroën brand after hiatus of three-years.
A come-back ‘kid’, why not as we went to play with the new C5 Aircross, as it crisscrossed hills, glades and mountains of Drakensberg en route to eThekweni– Durban for a special weekend. It was a case of what happens by the sea remains at the sea, finish & klaar!
Thanks to the easing of lockdown regulations we managed to play with other kids- obviously adhering to social-distancing and ‘NO KISSING’ golden rules.
Upon delivery- I loved how different it looked from exterior to interior and yes, its not far from its sister Peugeot 3008 mark.
I’ve always had a penchant for any French made be it cologne to clothes- so is the styling, design and comfort of Citroën C5 Aircross that boast torque 121Kw/240Nm and a six speed auto transmission thanks to its 1.6litre turbo petrol.
Talk of fuel- it is one of the highlight on C5 Aircross having only to top it up at Montrose having left Jozi in full tank. Now that’s being economically savvy.
The large squared-off exterior design makes for what is an incredibly practical and roomy interior, while also allowing for some increased body roll in the bends. It is, however, a trade-off which I was happy with when it comes to a true space, clever packaging and class-leading ride comfort.
The C5 Aircross not only looks futuristic – its styling marks a refreshing change in a segment for being ideally a family car that tend to be conservatively-packaged and even a bit bland. By contrast, it bucks the trend.
Moreover, in top-spec 1.6T Shine guise, it is impressively-equipped with standard features some of the key nice-to-haves include a panoramic sunroof, electric windows and side mirrors, cruise control, automatic air conditioning (climate control), front and rear USB ports and a wireless smartphone charging pad.
Safety specification features ABS with EBD and brake
assist, electronic stability control with traction control, as well as 6
airbags. Park distance control (front and rear), a 180-degree reverse-view
camera, lane departure warning and blind-spot monitoring systems too.
In terms of interior execution and features, the C5 Aircross sports is one of
the best thanks to its leg room, it looks stylish and upmarket. It’s also worth
noting seats are comfortable and exude a sense of quality. The driver’s seat is
electrically adjustable and when you cast your eyes forward and you’re met with
a slick customisable 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
Rear passengers will be pleased with the generous legroom. The aft bench comprises 3 reclinable seats and can slide forward by as much as 150 mm to increase the standard 520-litre load bay to offer 720 litres. With all 3 seats folded, the flat load floor can accommodate bulkier items (up to a claimed at 1 630 litres). The C5 Aircross is more spacious than many of its rivals.
Yes, for a trip such as the one we took (with partner in crime) comfort, comfort and more comfort is needed!
The only snag: it’s not the most intuitive system on the market (the layout and menus do require some familiarisation) and integrated satellite navigation isn’t included.
But you can tailor the layout of the cluster’s display by using the toggles on the leather-trimmed, multifunction steering wheel. The futuristic-looking instrument cluster is complemented by an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that offers Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility.
Much like its exterior design, the cabin of the C5 Aircross is a breath of fresh air. Perceived interior quality is very good and we liked the look of the partial leather and cloth upholstery
On the road nay-sayers and competitors were in awe -so did petrol attendants and up-market Umhlanga residents who got the glimpse of this SUV, as it air-crossed the likes of Chesterville, Kwa-Mashu (to see Durbans finest LVoVo Derango and Professor perform) and Stanger.
Yes, I made a promise to return to eThekweni and pay my dues but as for C5 Aircross it was an unforgettable experience, stru!
Returning back home was a mission- travel aficionados do catch my drift -as it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a story teller…
The 1.6T Shine is priced at R509 900 with a 5-year/100 000km warranty and a 5-year/100 000km service plan.
Verdict:
Performance 1-10 (8)
Fuel 1-10 (8)
Image SLM (The futuristic Citroën C5 Aircross a marvel on the road en route to Durban).
