- Spacious interior with comfortable seats
- Hydractive suspension provides comfortable ride
- Competent handling
- Flexible and refined V6 petrol engine
- Underwhelming 2.0-litre petrol engine
- Cramped rear seat legroom
- Steering lacks feel
- Suspension struggles with bigger bumps/potholes
Review: Citroën Mk.1 C5 (2001-08)
Review: Citroën Mk.1-I C5 (2001-04)
Overview
Released in July 2001, the Citroën Mk.1 Series I (Mk.1-I) C5 was available as a mid-size liftback or wagon. Manufactured in Rennes, France, the front-wheel drive C5 was available with 2.0-litre petrol, 2.0-litre turbo-diesel and 3.0-litre V6 petrol engines (the 2.0 16V, 2.0 HDi and 3.0 V6 variants, respectively). Beyond the variants, the C5 was available in price-leading SX or better-equipped Exclusive editions. The full range is given in the table below.
Compared to the Citroen Xantia which it replaced, the C5 liftback was 174 mm longer (at 4618 mm), 15 mm wider (1770 mm), 96 mm taller (1476 mm) and had a 10 mm longer wheelbase (2750 mm). Relative to its liftback counterpart, the C5 wagon 138 mm longer (at 4756 mm), 6 mm wider (1776 mm) and 40 mm taller (1516 mm), though wheelbase length was unchanged.
Hydractive 3 suspension
The C5 had MacPherson strut front suspension with a lower wishbone and a torsion beam rear axle. The suspension, however, included Citroën’s ‘Hydractive 3’ system which used electronic sensors that could deploy an additional pair of spheres – in or out of circuit – to raise or lower suspension travel. The suspension could therefore adjust, according to conditions, for improved ride quality or handling.
| Body | Variants | Edition | Engine | Years | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liftback, wagon |
2.0 16V | SX | 2.0-litre petrol I4 | 2001-04 | 4sp auto, 5sp man |
101 kW at 6000 rpm | 185 Nm at 4100 rpm |
| 2.0 HDi | SX | 2.0-litre turbo-diesel I4 | 2001-04 | 4sp auto | 82 kW at 4000 rpm | 255 Nm at 1750 rpm | |
| Liftback | 3.0 V6 | Exclusive | 3.0-litre petrol V6 | 2001-04 | 4sp auto | 157 kW at 6000 rpm | 279 Nm at 3700 rpm |
Safety equipment
Safety equipment for the Citroën C5 consisted of dual front airbags, front side airbags, full length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters; the 3.0 V6 was also fitted with traction control.
Euro NCAP crash testing
In Euro NCAP crash testing , the C5 received a four star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 30.44. In the offset crash test, protection from serious chest and upper leg injury was marginal for the driver. In the side impact test, there was a slight risk of serious pelvis injury.
Features: C5 SX and Exclusive
Standard features for the C5 SX included a six speaker sound system with CD player, climate control air conditioning, front fog lights, a multi-function steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, remote central locking, power windows and door mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser. Wagon models were also fitted with tie-down points, a cargo cover and cargo net.
Beyond this, the C5 Exclusive added 16-inch alloy wheels, an eight speaker JBL sound system with six-stack CD player, xenon headlights, power adjustable front seats, cruise control, automatic headlights, rear parking sensors, folding door mirrors and woodgrain interior trim.
Related links
- Press Kit: Citroen Mk.1 C5 (July 2001)
- Brochure: Citroen Mk.1-I C5 (September 2001)
- Press Kit: Citroen Mk.1 C5 Estate (November 2001)
Review: Citroën Mk.1-II C5 (2005-08)
Overview
Released in February 2005, the Mk.1 Series II (Mk.1-II) C5 introduced improved safety equipment, a new 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine (‘2.2 HDi’) and a subtle facelift. The range initially consisted of a liftback and wagon, both powered by the 2.2 HDi engine. However, the range was expanded in June with the introduction of 2.0-litre petrol variants and the range-topping 3.0-litre V6 Exclusive liftback.
In August 2006, the range was further expanded with the introduction of 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine (‘2.0 HDi’) and, from 2007, the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine was replaced with a twin-turbo unit of the same capacity and mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
| Body | Variant | Edition | Engine | Years | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liftback, wagon |
2.0 16V | SX | 2.0-litre petrol I4 | 2005-08 | 4sp auto, 5sp man. |
103 kW at 6000 rpm | 195 Nm at 3000 rpm |
| 2.0 HDi | SX | 2.0-litre turbo-diesel I4 | 2006-08 | 6sp auto | 100 kW at 4000 rpm | 320 Nm at 1750 rpm | |
| 2.2 HDi | SX | 2.2-litre turbo-diesel I4 | 2005-06 | 4sp auto | 98 kW at 4000 rpm | 314 Nm at 2000 rpm | |
| 2007-08 | 6sp auto | 125 kW at 4000 rpm | 370 Nm at 1500 rpm | ||||
| Liftback | 3.0 V6 | Exclusive | 3.0-litre petrol V6 | 2005-08 | 6sp auto | 155 kW at 6000 rpm | 290 Nm at 3750 rpm |
Safety equipment
Compared to its predecessor, safety equipment was upgraded with a driver’s knee airbag, brake assist, electronic stability control and traction control made standard across the range.
Euro NCAP crash testing
In Euro NCAP crash testing , the Mk.1-II C5 received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 35.93 out of 37. In the offset crash test, there was a slight risk of serious lower leg injury for the driver; in the side impact test, there was a slight risk of serious chest injury for the driver.
Features: C5 SX and Exclusive
Standard features were also improved with 16-inch alloy wheels, an eight speaker sound system, dual zone climate control air conditioning, leather trim, cruise control with speed limiter, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlights made standard across the range. The 3.0 V6 Exclusive was also fitted with directional xenon headlights.
Brochure
Related links
- Press Kit: Citroën Mk.1-II C5 (February 2005)
- Press Kit: Citroën Mk.1-II C5 2.0 16V (July 2005)
- Press Kit: Citroën Mk.1-II C5 Twin Turbo HDi (March 2007)
- Wikipedia.org: Citroën C5 (first generation)
