2010 Citroen C5 Reviews

Let's face it Citroen is at best a bit player in the Australian motoring landscape.

It would be so very refreshing to read a review of a French car which eschewed the token use of French. Sadly, this is not going to be that review, because vive la difference embodies perfectly the essence of Citroën's C5.In price, placement and most of all in its cosseting and eventually appealing road manners, the range topping version of the big sedan (it comes as a wagon for three grand more) is predicated on following a path less travelled by Europeans.Whereas sporting pose is the (too) dominant theme in the handling compromise of most Euros, composure and poise is the C5's raison d'etre (sorry) an attitude that arguably better suits Australian roads.VALUEVexed question this. Depends if you think the Citroën overpriced next to the Passats, 159s and 407s of this word, or if like Volvo it undercuts the German prestige trio.Less equivocally, the range-topper’s 3.0-litre V6 twin turbo diesel sets it apart. Nothing in price proximity offers an equivalent engine - they're all either one or two cylinders short, or overpriced and underdone by comparison.Recently upgraded over the 2.7-litre unit, with which the second generation C5 launched two years ago, it's a less potent version of the PSA engine found in Jaguar's $113,000 XF.Against that, the $12,000 premium over the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel C5 is slightly mad, given the latter is almost as useful in urban use. Options, not least the $5000 demanded for the "NaviDrive" GPS set up, are enough to make you choke on your croissant. Wheel arch filling 18-inch alloys are standard.TECHNOLOGYHydractive III+ suspension is a good chunk of the Citroën’s appeal, derived and developed from the original "magic carpet ride" concept of the iconic DS. At speed, the C5 automatically lowers. On poor surfaces, it automatically sets for increased clearance and comfort. Thanks to the self-levelling feature you are also guaranteed a constant ride height, regardless of the load or number of passengers. In practice, it remains slightly soufflé even in "sport" mode. This is no bad thing.DESIGNIf the previous C5 (a liftback, not a true four-door) was the preserve of Francophiles, this one is altogether more visually appealing, within and without. As is almost always the Euro way, the wagon is the most resolved looker, but the four door with its massive front overhang and sculptured derriere (looking more than a little Audi A4) is distinctive enough even without that chevron badge.In the event of a big impact, the steering wheel's fixed hub permits unimpeded deployment of the airbag. The plethora of controls attached work audio and cruise functions – it’s a neater solution than Peugeot's array of wands, though the Citroën’s centre console buttons are equally fiddly.SAFETYThe full five stars in NCAP crash testing and seven airbags, with the full armoury of active acronyms. The spare is full size. Are you listening BMW? No, didn't think so...DRIVINGTo be perfectly Francois, the C5 initially feels unwieldy and even alien, wafting weirdly, with most of the that massive kerb weight (near enough 1800kg) forward of your feet. Yet by week’s end it feels like a favoured and comfortable coat.Sudden jolts will send it rocking like a boat that's struck a wave, but this tendency is largely controlled by selecting and sticking with Hydractive's sport mode. The transmission's sport mode, by contrast, simply muddies gear selection, which can be performed manually but is best left to its own devices.From noticeable lag off the mark, the digital speedo is soon blurring, but not only is there little sense of how quickly you're accruing speed, there's no sound of it. Refinement is remarkable you could be driving a hybrid rather than a big torqueing diesel.Some seem to be criticising the C5 for not being a 5 Series. If you want to slice up the twisties look elsewhere; if you want to effortlessly dispatch cruising kilometres, step this way. Tout de suite.VERDICT: Composure and poise beats sporting poseCITROËN C5 3.0 HDI EXCLUSIVE SEDANPrice: From $69,990Engine: 3L V6 bi-turbo diesel; 177kW/450NmTransmission: 6-speed autoThirst: 7.4L/100km combined

YOU'VE almost got to wonder, who buys all those cars? To say nothing of the SUVs and commercial jiggers.  Private owners and fleets bought almost 81,500 new vehicles last month. Of course, the usual suspects - Holden, Toyota, Mazda, Ford, Hyundai - do most business among the 50 or so brands on offer. But for every no-brainer buy there's an overlooked, if not unloved, model sitting on the lot.If you fancy a bit of vive la difference, we've unearthed some hidden treasures whose lack of popularity ought to compel the sales people to do a deal for you.Alfa Romeo 159Sales in April: 29Price:$49,990-$82,990THOUGH a non-starter in the premium sales stakes led by zer Chermans, Alfa's now five-year-old midsize sedan and wagon will be with us for another two years.Upgrades have seen it shed a bit of lard and get a six-speed automatic that works with it, as opposed to behaving like a transplanted organ the body's rejecting. Most 159s sold now are TI editions with lowered suspension and lustrous, but eminently kerbable, 19-inch alloys.Hardly the sharpest tool in the shed but, my, isn't she lovely? Gorgeous, actually.  Standard equipment levels are high, so put the acid on the dealer for a good driveaway deal.* Our choice: 2.4 JTDm auto sportwagonCitroen C5Sales in April: 16Price: $45,990-$72,990DESPITE its dashing appearance, the driving reality of this almost entirely diesel line-up can be considered exciting only if you accept boules as an extreme sport. It ain't sportif, but that's the point.What it does, in its Gallic shrugging way, is provide a classically wafty Citroen ride in a package that looks equally at home in Paris, Provence or Parramatta. The 3.0 twin turbo V6 oiler would convert an avowed petrolhead but, in Australia's Third World road conditions, isn't sufficiently superior to the 2.0-litre four potter to justify the price.* Our choice: 2.0 HDi ComfortFiat 500Sales in April: 25Price: $22,990-$33,990THING is, everyone who wants a mini 2+2 convertible goes for, well, a Mini. The irresistible new Bambino now comes with a rag top, in addition to its more stalwart though hardly less cute coupe siblings.Indeed, how much cute can you cope with? Given its level of kit and customisation options, the 500 is as much a bite-sized luxury car as a city-friendly commuting device.The current lack of an auto option in all versions across the range keeps sales to niche levels but, hey, this is a compact Italian job. Over there, even the most venerable nonna can handle a stick shift. Anecdotal evidence suggests the Fix-It-Again-Tony days are way behind Fiat.* Our choice: 1.4 Lounge manualHonda Civic HybridSales: 75-80 (since January)Price: $34,490WHILE Toyota's Prius is effectively a synonym for petrol-electric propulsion, the cheaper Honda not only looks like a car it drives like one, while returning a potential 4.6 litres per 100km. Sales are down a bit at the moment, as petrol prices are too, but an oil price spike is certain at some point. If you want a green car that doesn't make you look like Clover Moore, act soon.* Our choice: There is but oneSkoda SuperbSales in April: 6Price: From $39,990MAYBE the long Czech liftback and now wagon is just too close in essence and price to its VW Passat sibling. Maybe we don't yet "get'' big cars with small but highly efficient engines (though there's a diesel and a V6 petrol variant as well). Maybe it's a cold war hangover.Whatever it is, we're wrong. With a price realignment, the Superb offers better value, more kit, lots of space and lusher feel than the VW. It won Top Gear's luxury car of the year; the previous winner was a Rolls-Royce, for heaven's sake.* Our choice: Got to be the 1.8 turbo petrol wagon