Citroen C5X could gain a bigger battery, but not an EV [Update]

Update: ‘Citroen C5X Plug-in hybrid’ and ‘UK launch’ sections updated.

Stellantis held the European premiere of the Citroen C5X PHEV in July 2021, as the above picture from Italian publication Motorionline shows. First customer deliveries in the UK begin in late-Spring 2022, and we’ve more information about its release at the end of the story.

EV version not in the pipeline

As a Euro-focused and aerodynamic SUV-coupe, the C5X has the appearance of a modern electric vehicle. Citroen has not announced a C5X Electric or e-C5X, but the media is curious if a secret plan to launch such a model does exist.

Speaking to Auto Express, Vincent Cobee, CEO, Citroen, said: “Full electric (C5X) is in our minds, but not in our plans,” putting speculations to rest. With Stellantis targeting a pure electric powertrain in more than 75% of models in Europe by 2025, high-volume cars like the C5X should have the chance of receiving a zero-emission powertrain option in the coming years, but that does not seem to be the case in the current generation. Citing Cobee, Auto Express magazine also reported that a larger battery variant for the C5X PHEV is possible, but not an EV.

Video: Youtube.com/Citroen

Citroen C5X at a glance

The Citroen C5X is a D-Segment car that combines the “elegance of a saloon, the dynamism of a station wagon, and the elevated stance of an SUV.” Here are the main points of Citroen’s new flagship car that has a fastback body shape:

  • Design inspired by the CXperience Concept; V-shaped light signatures and LED headlamps help immediately identify the car.
  • Citroën Advanced Comfort programme that has the active suspension, Progressive Hydraulic Cushions and Advanced Comfort seats.
  • Extended Head up Display, L2 semi-autonomous driving (Highway Driver Assist) and new 12-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system (featuring customizable widgets and Mirror Screen) with natural vocal recognition.
  • 4 USB Type C sockets and wireless smartphone charging.
  • Long range blind spot detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Top 360 Vision and Proximity hands-free access and start.
  • “Unparalleled” second row comfort and roominess and “360-degree glass” area.
  • Acoustic laminated front and rear windows.
  • 545L boot volume (expandable to 1,640L) with low loading sill and wide boot opening with hands-free function.
  • 19-inch tires
  • Comes in petrol and plug-in hybrid guises, targeting large car and SUV segment buyers.
Citroen C5X SpecificationValue
Length4,805 mm
Width1,859 mm
Height1,485 mm
Wheelbase2,785 mm
Boot space485/600 litres
Citroen C5X dimensions in France (Source: citroen.fr)

Design

As expected, the Citroen C5X takes the form of an SUV coupe, and to an extent, a bigger version of the latest Citroen C4. Right away, Citroen fans would see hints of the 4.85m Citroen Cxperience concept in the C5X’s radical design.

Linda Jackson, who became the CEO of Peugeot and a member of Stellantis’ Top Executive Team in January 2021, had suggested that the Citroen C5 successor was not going to be a traditional sedan. “What it won’t be is a new C5,” Jackson had told autocar.co.uk in 2018. PSA planned this model with an offbeat design that becomes a talking point above everything else.

In an interview with wallpaper.com, Citroen Design Director Pierre Leclercq briefly talked about the design of the C5X. He said that the SUV coupe’s “front architecture has a tension and dynamism,” and that’s an attractive combination. The rear-end also “has a great shape,” he added.

At the front, the Citroen C5 successor features a high-set, horizontal bonnet with a pair of crease lines on the sides, split headlamps, and X-shaped grille bars that stretch all the way out to become the edges of the headlamps. Overall, it’s a very striking, vigorous appearance at the front.

On the sides, the beltline remains straight for the most part, allowing a large – but still sleek – greenhouse. The roofline slopes down gently, and it is mainly from behind the C-pillar that we start seeing that coupe inspiration. The windscreen aggressively slopes at the rear, giving a sporty and aerodynamic styling, and the spoiler on the tailgate adds to the attributes. The dual light guides in the horizontally split combination lamps communicate the technical and sophisticated styling as the dual-LED DRLs in the headlamp.

Citroen C5X rear three quarters
The Citroen C5X is like a bigger, more sophisticated alternative to the new Citroen C4. Image Source: Citroen

Interior

The interior of the Citroen C5X has an elegant design with an uncluttered dashboard in a premium design – nothing extraordinary but elegant and stylish all the same. Other visual highlights are the slim climate control panel, wide, 12-inch touchscreen, virtual instrument cluster, compact steering, and wood trim. The C5X borrows elements from the 19_19 Concept, like a large-scale, full-colour head-up display and natural voice recognition. The C5X features Level 2 autonomous driving capability as well.

Quarter glass windows and a large glass sunroof ensure that there’s plenty of natural light in the cabin to keep the occupants fresh. Citroen’s emphasis on seating comfort is unmissable, and it says that the C5X’s Advanced Comfort seats are the benchmark in this aspect.

Citroen says that the mid-size SUV-coupe offers “outstanding rear-seat space.” Leclercq also laid stress on the rear-seat space while speaking to wallpaper.com, saying it’s “amazing.” China is one of the main markets for the C5X worldwide, and there, rear-seat space is “very important.” 545 litres of load space is available, and on folding down the rear seats, one can increase it to 1,640 litres.

Citroen C5X interior
Citroen says the roominess of the C5X is enhanced by the 360-degree glass areas, including quarter windows and a large glass sunroof that allows ample light to enter. Image: Citroen

Citroen C5X Plug-in hybrid

The Citroen C5X rides on the same platform as the Peugeot 508 and the DS 9 – EMP2. A plug-in hybrid variant is included in the range right from the debut. For the UK market, the Citroen C5X Plug-in hybrid comes with a 12.4 kWh Li-Ion battery pack. The 1.6L PureTech 180 engine and 81.2 kW electric motor make a combined power of 225 hp and 360 Nm torque.

The hybrid powertrain enables an all-electric range of 34 miles (55 km). The 30 g/km of CO2 emissions allow for an 11% Benefit-in-Kind taxation rate. The PHEV version comes with a 7.4 kW single-phase on-board charger and a Mode 3 charging cable with a Type 2 connector as standard.

Cobee told Auto Express that it’s possible to increase the size of the battery pack at a later stage. So, when the model goes through its mid-cycle update in three-four years, the WLTP range may get close to 80 km (50 miles).

Chinese launch

Series production of the Citroen C5X began at the Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen plant in Chengdu (Sichuan Province) in China on 6 June 2021. This is the sole production site for the C5X worldwide, and Europe and the UK get the units from China. However, in the era when even BMWs (iX3) and Volvos (S90) arrive in European ports from Chinese production bases, quality should not be a concern for Citroen customers. Cobee said in an interview with Bloomberg Television that “manufacturing quality in China is one of best in (the) world,” Bloomberg reported on 12 April 2021.

Dongfeng-Citroen shipped the first batch of the C5X to Chinese dealerships on 28 July 2021 and commenced its pre-sales on 9 August 2021. The company priced the new SUV coupe from CNY 143,700 to CNY 186,700.

UK launch

In the UK, the Citroen C5X PHEV comes in three variants; Sense Plus, Shine and Shine Plus. The OTR prices for the C5X PHEV start at GBP 35,190. The deliveries in the UK will commence from late spring this year (2022). 

Citroen C5X PHEV variantUK Price
Sense PlusGBP 35,190
ShineGBP 36,690
Shine PlusGBP 38,680
On The Road MRRP price.

The Citroen C5X PHEV comes equipped with plenty of modern comfort and convenience features like Citroen Advanced Comfort Active Suspension, Citroen Advanced Comfort seats with 15 mm more foam padding for added comfort, Head-up Display, Wireless Smartphone Charging, Multi-function Heated Steering Wheel, ‘Frameless’ IRVMs with Electrochrome Dimming, Radar-controlled Active Safety Brake, Heated and Electrically Adjusted Front Seats, Blind Spot Detection featuring 360-degree reversing Camera.

Citroen C5X FAQs

What is the Citroen C5X release date?

First customer deliveries will begin in the UK in late-spring 2022.

What is the Citroen C5X price?

The Citroen C5X PHEV costs GBP 35,190 onwards in the UK.

Which models will the C5X compete with?

The VW Passat, Skoda Superb and even the more expensive Audi A4 Allroad would be its indirect competitors.

Featured Image Source: Motorionline