We test the mild hybrid version of Citroen’s comfy family-sized SUV…
How time flies. The first time I drove a Citroen C5 Aircross was way back in 2019, shortly after its UK launch.
At that stage it was available with petrol or diesel power. A plug-in hybrid joined the range in 2022, and now there’s a mild hybrid version – the Aircross ë-series Hybrid 136, to be exact.
The C5 Aircross was also treated to a facelift in 2022 which sharpened up its looks (the front end in particular) and overhauled the dashboard with a new, larger infotainment screen and other tweaks. Ultimately, it’s much the same car, with the focus on comfort above all.
At the heart of the C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 is a heavily revised version of the familiar 1.2-litre three-cylinder PureTech turbo petrol engine (used throughout the Stellantis range, which includes Peugeot, Fiat and Vauxhall) with its power output raised from 130hp to 136hp. The unit is paired with a 48v mild-hybrid electric motor that adds up to 28hp of peak power.
In other words, the small 0.4kWh lithium-ion battery and electric motor assist the petrol engine. It can also be driven on 100% electric power for short distances at low speed (when crawling in traffic or manoeuvring, for instance).
Without getting too technical, the electric motor is integrated into an all-new six-speed dual-clutch transmission, called e-DSC6, which has been designed specifically to work with the hybrid system.
Citroen says it can result in a fuel economy saving of 15% over a regular PureTech 130 petrol (30% in urban areas), with a claimed figure of 53mpg. There’s also a 15% reduction in CO2 emissions (down to 129g/km).
What’s more, Citroen reckons up to 50% of city journeys can be made in electric mode.
In performance terms, all that translates into a 0-62mph sprint time of 10.2 seconds and a 124mph top speed.
Inside it’s very Citroen with an attractive mix of cool design, comfort, space and technology. Equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster ahead of the driver and an 10-inch HD touchscreen in the centre console as standard, it’s priced from £27,780.
Standard safety and driver assistance technologies include Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) , Active Lane Departure Warning and Active Blind Spot Monitoring, plus three ISOFIX mountings on front passenger and outer rear seats.
Citroen’s ‘Progressive Hydraulic Cushion’ suspension system “for a uniquely smooth and comfortable ride” is fitted across the C5 Aircross range, while the Advanced Comfort seats are well padded and comfy.
It’s practical too with plenty of small storage spaces dotted around the cabin, plus three individual rear seats that slide, fold and recline. There’s also a generous boot volume ranging from 580 litres to 720 litres (depending on the position of the rear seats), expanding to 1,630 litres with the second row seats flipped down.
On the road, the Citroen C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 seems brisker than the stats suggest, thanks to assistance from the electric motor, though the transmission is on the sluggish side at times.
You can hear the thrummy yet willing 1.2-litre engine on start-up, but it soon settles down, and from then on it only becomes vocal under heavy acceleration.
The steering is light and the ride is generally very smooth and comfortable, though it can get a little choppy on really rough surfaces.
At its best cruising along, if you are tempted to push on, there’s surprisingly little body lean in more challenging corners.
Finally, the driving position is on the lofty side, even with the seat at its lowest, while rear seat passengers sit quite high up too, but visibility is good.
The C5 Aircross Hybrid 136’s mild hybrid rivals include the Kia Sportage, Nissan Qashqai and Hyundai Tucson.
Verdict: The Citroen C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 definitely should be on any five-seat family SUV shortlist. Competitively-priced, spacious, economical, packed with safety kit and distinctive, it’s well worth a test drive.
