Battery size: 73-98kWh
Miles per kWh: 4.4
E-Rating™: C
Max charge rate: 160 kW
Range: 326 - 435 miles 
Introduction
This is Citroen’s first car using the STLA Medium platform, which is the same underpinnings as the Vauxhall Grandland, Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008, the new Jeep Compass, and a couple of DS models in future too. It will be offered with internal combustion, as well as a plug-in hybrid with a very decent electric range of up to 53 miles.
We’ll bring you a full review of the new, plug-in hybrid C5 Aircross when we’ve driven it, but for now we’re going to focus on the fully electric e-C5 Aircross model, which will have two batteries for a range of up to 323- or 422-miles. I’ll give you all the details about the range and charging stuff a bit further down the review.
Power comes from an electric motor that drives the front wheels, and will deliver 201bhp in the e-C5 Aircross 210 Standard Range model, or the longer range 230 Extended Range gets 227bhp. Every C5 Aircross model also gets the trademark ‘Progressive Hydraulic Cushions’ for super-smooth ride comfort.
Styling and Dimensions
The new Citroen C5 e-Aircross is 4.65m long, which makes it 15cm bigger than the current C5 Aircross, and a similar size to rivals like the VW ID.4, Skoda Enyaq, BYD Sealion 7, Tesla Model Y, Peugeot E-5008, Toyota bZ4X, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and more… If you want a mid-sized electric family SUV these days, you are definitely not short of choice!
Citroen has gone out of its way to make the e-C5 Aircross look a bit different and funky. Most notably, it’s got the rear light design from the concept car, so the lights jut out from the side of the car and make it look wider and more chunky than it really is. I really rather like it, and you’ll definitely know that it’s a C5 Aircross when you see one at night.
You also get the interchangeable colour inserts that we’ve already seen on the e-C3 and e-C3 Aircross, which is a nice touch.
Interior
Citroen is very proud of its Advanced Comfort seats and what’s been dubbed ‘Sofa Zen’ interior, and rightly so. The seats are super-cushy and comfortable, with more squidginess than you’ll find in any rival I can think of. There’s even a pleasantly squidgy finish on the centre armrest and around the doors, so it does all feel very pleasant.
Probably more important for most is that there’s a new central ‘Cascade’ touchscreen infotainment system, complete with a large, portrait screen. It’s a very different setup to the infotainment that you find in the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008, and is a bit more reminiscent of the screen in a Tesla Model Y or BYD Sealion 7.
We haven’t driven the e-C5 Aircross, yet, but I had a good prod around the infotainment system in the studio and I reckon it’s a big improvement. Yes, the air-con controls are in the screen but they’re permanently there and quite easy to hit, you can set it to a subtle, uncluttered view so that it’s not distracting at night, and it’s pretty easy to navigate.
There’s also a head-up display on offer, as well as tons of storage space, a sunglasses holder and big door bins. Maybe there’s a bit too much gloss black, but generally the e-C5 Aircross feels great inside.
It’s roomy and comfortable in the back seats, too; I had masses of leg room, and the panoramic glass roof on the top-spec car makes it all very light and airy. The seat backs also recline, to give you that full lounge experience.
Boot Space
Boot space is very decent, with 565-litres of space on offer. Not quite as big as the Skoda Enyaq, granted, but still massive and there’s underfloor storage for the cable. Unfortunately (as with most of the cars on the Stellants STLA-Medium platform) there’s no ‘frunk’. You can fold the seats flat in a 40/20/40 split, though, so that you can get your skis through the middle of the rear bench while still comfortably carrying four passengers.
There’s no seven-seat version of the C5 Aircross (for now, at least). If you want a seven-seat electric car, you’ll want to consider the Peugeot E-5008, Merc EQB or Kia EV9.
Battery, Charging and Efficiency
The Citroen e-C5 Aircross will be offered with either a 73- or 97kWh lithium-ion NMC battery, which will deliver WLTP official range of up to 323- or 422 miles respectively. We’ll have to wait and see what the real-world range is like, but we’ve struggled with the everyday range on our long term Peugeot E-3008, which uses the same platform and running gear as the e-C5 Aircross, so hopefully the Citroen will have improved on that.
Citroen has also finally caught up with the likes of MG, Kia and Hyundai, and will be offering vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging on the new e-C5 Aircross, as standard. This means that you can use the car’s high voltage battery to charge other devices; maybe you want to run your strimmer from it, down at the allotment. Or keep a portable fridge cold while you’re camping. You get the gist. It’s a really neat function to have, and I’m so glad that Stellantis vehicles are finally getting it!
As for charging, AC charging is up to 11kW, which is useful for making the most of faster kerbside chargers that you often find in town. At home, most owners will charge using a 7kW home charger, which will full charge the e-C5 Aircross in around 12- to 16 hours depending on which battery you’ve got.
Rapid charging is up to 160kW, which is good for a 10- to 80% charge in around 30 minutes.
A heat pump is optional on most of the e-C5 Aircross range, or will be standard on top-spec Citroen e-C5 Aircross Max model.
Price and Equipment
UK prices and trim specifics haven’t been confirmed, yet, but heated seats, that big Cascade touchscreen, and a reversing camera will likely be standard across the range. A panoramic glass roof, head-up display, Matrix LED headlights and semi-autonomous lane change function will all be available on higher-spec models.
Verdict
I like the Citroen e-C5 Aircross. I think it looks pretty cool, with its ‘light wing’ rear cluster design; it looks a bit whacky. And I think it needs that, given how much competition it’s got. I mean, it’s more interesting than the Tesla Model Y, isn’t it?! Anyway, it’ll come down to prices, of course, and I’m very keen to have a go and see what the real-world range is like. If that all stacks up, Citroen’s on to a winner.
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