Say hello to… 

…The new Citroen C5 Aircross SUV. It’s Citroen’s all-new fleet contender in the C-SUV sector.

It was first shown as the Aircross Concept at the Shanghai automotive show in 2015. By 2017 it was launched into the Chinese market before going on sale in Europe in 2018.

And now it’s here in the UK to meet demand for the body style du jour.

Citroen’s take is slightly different, though. It features on comfort, on modularity in the interior, and majors on boot space.

The C5 Aircross is distinctively styled. There’s a wide front end with high horizontal bonnet line incorporating  the double chevron; coloured inserts; and airbump door protection first seen on the C4 Cactus.

The suspension features Progressive Hydraulic Cushions. Unique to Citroen in the PSA stable, these provide the legendary ride for which Citroen has been fabled.

Conventional suspension systems feature shock absorbers, springs and mechanical stops. Citroen’s Progressive Hydraulic Cushions add two hydraulic stops: one for compression the other for decompression. During major impacts, the hydraulic compression gradually slows the movement to avoid jerks at either end of the range.

Further comfort is provided by 15mm of high density foam padding to the seats, while an acoustic windscreen helps cut down on noise.

The interior features a degree of modularity. The individual three rear seats can be moved back and forward independently. So they can be adapted to carry a variety of people and loads.

The seats also fold flat to provide the C5 Aircross SUV with an impressive sized boot – up to 1.9m long, the saem as a Superb estate for example.

Other things you should know? There are 19 driving assistance aids. There’s also the option of  Grip Control with Hill Descent Assist to give the two-wheel SUV a good degree of go-anywhere ability as an option.

Citroen C5 aircross SUV Launch Dates, Models, Trims

The Citroen C5 Aircross SUV went on sale February 04, 2018.

There are two petrol engines: a PureTech 1.2 three-cylinder 130PS with six-speed manual; and a PureTech 1.6 four-cylinder with new EAT8 auto gearbox.

For the diesels, there’s a 1.5-litre BlueHDi 130PS four-cylinder six-speed manual or EAT8 automatic; and a 2.0litre four cylinder  Blue HDi 180 PS EAT8 auto.

There are three trims: Feel; Flair; and Flair Plus.

Martin Gurney, PSA Group Fleet Director believes the BlueHDi 130 EAT8 auto in Flair will be the key fleet model. It offers a range of strong propositions, from specification to BIK position.

 In early 2020 a PHEV variant will expand the range.

Is the C5 Aircross SUV Right For My Fleet?

There’s good reason to think it might.

The BlueHDi 130 EAT8 auto Flair has CO2 emissions of 107g/km. Combined fuel economy is 51.4mpg.

Benefit in kind for this version is 26% in 2018/19 offering company car drivers company car tax from £122 a month.

For the PureTech petrol 130 manual in Flair trim there is 40.9 mpg and 121 g/km CO2 emissions. Benefit in kind starts from £105 per month.

Gurney reckons Citroen will do 10,000 volume in 2019 with retail/fleet at 3 to 1.

Leasing a Citroen C5 Aircross

 Lease prices look keen on this car – Citroen has worked hard on residua values to help underpin a competitive leasing position.

On a 3+36/30,000 profile business lease, Intelligent Car Leasing had it at £245 a month; £217 a month  from Nationwide Vehicle Contracts; while leasing company LeasePlan had the same car on at £253 but on a 6+35 profile. Citroen’s captive Free2Move Lease had not issued a lease rental at the time of writing (February 05, 2019).

Meanwhile the petrol PureTech model is available from £194 + VAT for the petrol car a month (Nationwide Vehicle Contracts).

Both the HD iand PureTech petrol models come under the leasing disallowance tax break, so full renters can be claimed against tax.

Driving the Citroen C5 Aircross

We tried the diesel auto in Flair trim. It’s a very good car. The suspension is amazing. Those horrid speed bumps which crash through most vehicles are simply wafted away in the Citroen.

That ride quality continues whatever the surface. For high mileage business drivers this will be a relaxing drive. Made more so by the comfortable seats which are supportive and relaxing.

The diesel engine has plenty of spritely pick up for the urban dash while the brakes are strong and progressive. The auto smoothes through the gears. But the car is best when driven in relaxed mode to suit its comfort character.

The interior is chunkily functional and reflects the exterior character of the car. Seats are pat cloth/leather in Flair models.

The petrol model is delightfully zesty with its three-cylinder engine zinging away as soon as you press the accelerator.

The manual gearbox is accurate even if the throw is rather long.

Fleet&Leasing.com verdict

The Citroen C5 Aircross SUV is a strong proposition for fleets. The combination of extensive specification, good benefit in kind positioning and affordable lease rates make it a highly desirable choice.

The comfort for higher mileage drivers will be appreciated during the working week; and the practicality at the end for family drivers.

Gurney admits that getting the car on choice lists will be the key issue for the firm – they’ve not really had a corporate contender in this sector. But it would be a great shame for drivers to miss out.

It’s a strong proposition.

What Else Do I Need To Know About The C5 Aircross SUV?

• Prices start at £23,225 and go up to £32,725

• The cockpit features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and the latest 8-inch HD touchscreen as standard

• New C5 Aircross SUV also features ConnectedCAM (it records accidents) and Wireless Smartphone Charging

• Advanced Active Safety Brake, Active Lane Departure Warning and Active Blind Spot Monitoring  are included among the 19 standard safety and driver assistance technologie

• Although the C5 Aircross is two-wheel drive, if you want 4×4 security there’s the option of Citroen’s Grip Control with Hill Descent Assist. This provides capable off road ability but without the weight penalty of a four-wheel drivetrain. Offered on auto models

• The C5 Aircross measures 4.50m long

• 180 degree colour Reversing Camera with Top Rear Vision is standard on Flair and Flair Plus

• A total of 30 exterior colour combinations are available

• There are seven body colours: Polar White (standard colour), with optional Volcano Red (Metallic), Cumulus Grey (Metallic), Platinum Grey (Metallic), Tijuca Blue (Metallic), Perla Nera Black (Metallic) and Pearl White (Pearlescent).

• A Perla Nera Black roof is available as an option on Flair and Flair Plus models

• Three Colour Packs brighten things up with coloured inserts on the front bumper, Airbump panels and under the roof bars: Anodised Silver Colour Pack (standard specification), Anodised White and Anodised Red Colour Packs are optional across the range

• There are three different interior ‘ambiances’ to choose from as well: Standard Ambiance – Silica Grey cloth seat upholstery on Feel versions; Metropolitan Grey Ambiance – Grey Grained leather and Graphite cloth seat upholstery on Flair and Flair Plus (optional on Feel); Hype Brown Ambiance – Brown Nappa leather and black leather-effect seat upholstery – optional on Flair and Flair Plus versions.

Citroen C5 Aircross Range And Pricing

Feel

PureTech 130 S&S 6-speed manual, £23,225.00

BlueHDi 130 S&S 6-speed manual, £24,725.00

BlueHDi 130 S&S EAT8 8-speed auto, £26,325.00

 Flair

PureTech 130 S&S 6-speed manual, £25,325.00

PureTech 180 S&S EAT8 8-speed automatic, £28,325.00

BlueHDi 130 S&S 6-speed manual, £26,825.00

BlueHDi 130 S&S EAT8 8-speed automatic, £28,425.00

BlueHDi 180 S&S EAT8 8-speed automatic, £30,325.00

 Flair Plus

PureTech 130 S&S 6-speed manual, £27,725.00

PureTech 180 S&S EAT8 8-speed automatic, £30,725.00

BlueHDi 130 S&S 6-speed manual, £29,225.00

BlueHDi 130 S&S EAT8 8-speed automatic, £30,825.00

BlueHDi 180 S&S EAT8 8-speed automatic, £32,725.00