Review: Citroën Mk.2 C5 (2008-16)

Review: Citroën Mk.2-I C5 (2008-12)

Overview

Released in September 2008, the Citroën Mk.2 Series I (Mk.2-I) C5 was available as a mid-size sedan or wagon (Tourer). Manufactured in Rennes, France, the front-wheel drive Mk.2 C5 range initially consisted of the 2.0 HDi and 2.7 HDi variants; in March 2010, however, the 2.7 HDi was replaced by the 3.0 HDi and a 2.0i variant was introduced. Beyond the variants, the C5 was available in a price-leading Comfort and better-equipped Exclusive editions. A six-speed automatic transmission was standard across the range.

Body and dimensions

Compared to the Citroën Mk.1 C5 , the Mk.2 C5 sedan was 161 mm longer (at 4779 mm), 90 mm wider (1860 mm), 25 mm lower (1451 mm) and had a 65 mm longer wheelbase (2815 mm). Relative to its sedan counterpart, the C5 wagon was 50 mm longer (at 4829 mm) and had a 28 mm higher roofline (1479 mm), though width and wheelbase length were unchanged.

Suspension and Hydractive 3+

The Citroen C5 had double wishbone front suspension and independent, multi-link rear suspension. For the Mk.2-I C5, however, Citroën’s Hydractive 3+ hydropneumatic suspension system was fitted as standard; Hydractive 3+ used electronic sensors to automatically control ride height and vary suspension stiffness according to road conditions and driver behaviour.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Citroën C5 Comfort editions included dual front airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, front side airbags, curtain airbags for front and rear occupants, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters and load limiting outer rear seatbelts; the Exclusive editions were further equipped with rear side airbags.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the Citroën Mk.2 C5 received a five star safety rating which included an 81 per cent adult occupant protection rating and a 77 per cent child occupant protection rating. Under ANCAP’s methodology, this testing resulted in a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 34.58 out of 37.

Features: C5 Comfort and Exclusive

Standard features for the Citroën C5 Comfort included 17-inch alloy wheels, a six speaker sound system with CD player and MP3-compatibility, dual-zone climate control air-conditioning, a cooled glovebox, leather seats, a power adjustable driver’s seat with massaging function, heated front seats, cruise control with speed-limiter, front and rear fog lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, rear parking sensors, split and folding rear seats, steering wheel audio controls, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, a rear blind, trip computer and an immobiliser. From March 2010, the Comfort editions were fitted with new leather and fabric trims.

The Citroën C5 Exclusive was further equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, a six-stack CD player with auxiliary input, directional bi-xenon headlights with washers, front parking sensors, tyre pressure sensors, ambient lighting and courtesy lights.

Related links

• Press Kit: Citroen Mk.2 C5 (September 2008)
• Press Kit: Citroen Mk.2 C5 – New engines (January 2010)
• Brochure: Citroen Mk.2 C5 (September 2010)

Review: Citroën Mk.2-II C5 (2012-16)

Overview

Released in February 2012, the Citroën Mk.2 Series II (Mk.2-II) C5 introduced a revised range as Attraction and Seduction variants were introduced and the Comfort was discontinued. The range was also expanded with a new 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine – for the ‘1.6 Turbo’ variant – which was co-developed with BMW. A six-speed automatic transmission continued to be standard across the range, though only Exclusive variants were fitted with the Hydractive 3+ suspension system. Visually, the Mk.2-II C5 could be identified by its LED daytime running lights and ‘Dark Crystal’ clear-lens tail-lights.

In February 2013, the Mk.2-II C5 range was revised as a 2.2 HDi variant was introducted and the Attraction editions were discontinued. In 2015, however, the 2.2 HDi was withdrawn from sale.

Safety equipment

Compared to its Mk.2-I predecessor, standard safety equipment for the Citroën Mk.2-II C5 was unchanged; as before, the Exclusive variants were further equipped with rear side airbags.

Features: C5 Attraction, Seduction and Exclusive

Standard features for the Citroën C5 Attraction included 17-inch alloy wheels, a six speaker sound system with CD player, MP3-compatibility and auxiliary inputs (3.5mm/USB), dual-zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control, front and rear fog lights, automatic headlights, rear parking sensors, a cooled glovebox, split and folding rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift lever, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors with a folding function, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, an electrochromatic rear view mirror, 12 volt power outlets, a trip computer and an immobiliser.

The Citroën C5 Seduction was further equipped with power adjustable and heated front seats, driver’s seat massage and memory functions and tyre pressure monitoring.

The Citroën C5 Exclusive also featured 18-inch alloy wheels, a satellite navigation system, directional bi-xenon headlights with washers, front parking sensors, a power-operated sunroof, ambient lighting and rear blinds.

2015 Citroën C5 2.2 HDi Finale

In June 2015, thirty (30) Citroën C5 2.2 HDi Finale vehicles were released. Compared to the Exclusive edition, standard features for the C5 Limited Edition were extended to include a 350 watt sound system with eight speakers and subwoofer, and a rear view camera. Visually, the C5 Finale could be identified by its 19-inch ‘Adriatic’ ten-spoke alloy wheels, twin chrome exhaust tips and metallic paint finish.

April 2016: final Citroen C5 vehicles

In April 2016, the final shipment of Citroen Mk.2 C5 vehicles was delivered to Australia. Of these 62 vehicles, 52 had the 2.0 HDi (120 kW) engine, while the remaining ten had a 2.0 BlueHDi (133 kW) engine. As standard, this final shipment of Citroen C5 vehicles were fitted with a seven-inch touchscreen, digital radio tuner, 16GB music storage, and Apple CarPlay and Mirror Link smartphone integration. Specifications for these vehicles can be downloaded below.

Specifications

• Specifications: Citroën Mk.2-II C5 (April 2014)
• Specifications: Citroën Mk.2-II C5 (December 2014)
• Specifications: Citroën Mk.2-II C5 (July 2016)

Related links

• Press Kit: Ciroen Mk.2-II C5 (February 2012)
• Citroën Automobiles Australia: Citroën C5
• Wikipedia.org: Citroën C5 (second generation)