Review: Citroën DS5 (2012-17)

Review: Citroën Phase I DS5 (2012-15)

Overview

Released in September 2012, the Citroën Phase I DS5 was a five-door hatchback. Manufactured in Sochaux, France, the front-wheel drive Citroën DS5 was powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine that was mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. From February 2013, however, the DS5 was available with a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine with a six-speed semi-automatic transmission.

Engines

Of these engines,

the 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine had direct injection, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 10.5:1. Furthermore, the engine required 95 RON premium unleaded petrol; and,
the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine had common-rail direct injection, double overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder.

Dimensions and suspension

Despite its name, the Citroën DS5 was based on the PF2 platform – shared with the Peugeot 3008 and Citroën C4 Picasso – rather than that of the Citroën C5 . As such, the DS5 was 4530 mm long, 1871 mm wide, 1504 mm tall and had a 2727 mm long wheelbase. Furthermore, the DS5 had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent rear suspension with trailing arms (both with coil springs, hydraulic dampers and anti-roll bars).

Citroën Phase I DS5 specifications
Variant	Edition	Years	Engine	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
THP 155	DSport	2012-15	1.6-litre turbo petrol I4	6sp auto	115 kW at 6000 rpm	240 Nm at 1400-4000 rpm
HDi 160	DSport	2013-15	2.0-litre turbo-diesel I4	6sp semi-auto	120 kW at 3750 rpm	340 Nm at 2000 rpm

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Citroën DS5 included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters and outer rear seatbelts with load limiters.

Brakes

The Citroën DS5 had 302 mm by 26 mm ventilated front brake discs and 283 mm by 12 mm solid rear discs.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , a 2011 Citroën DS5 – fitted with a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine – received a five star safety rating which included an 89 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 83 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the frontal offset crash test, protection of the driver’s chest and lower leg were rated as adequate, while all other areas were rated as good. Furthermore, maximum points were awarded in the side impact test, though chest protection was rated as weak in the more severe pole test.

Features

Standard features for the Citroën DS5 included 18-inch alloy wheels with 235/45 R18 W Continental tyres, a six speaker Arkamys sound system with a CD player, MP3-compatibility and auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB), Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, satellite navigation, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, ‘Mistral Claudia’ leather trim, an eight-way power adjustable and heated front seats, a driver’s seat massage function, cruise control, front fog lights, daytime LED running lights, directional xenon headlights with washers, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, a head up display (for speed, cruise control information and navigation), automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, 2/3 to 1/3 split and flat folding rear seats, remote central locking with keyless entry, power windows, power adjustable mirrors with heating and folding functions, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, push-button start, an automatic park brake, front and rear courtesy lights, two 12 volt power outlets, an alarm and immobiliser.

Review: Citroën Phase II DS5 (2015-17)