Citroen C5 Reviews

Those Londoners are a strange mob of cattle, many important people rushing from some place to some place else.Much of life is lived underground, popping up from rail tunnels to discover another ancient monument and kilometres upon kilometres of fancy shops. The inner-city is all summer sparkling clean yet without the buzz of previous decades. The ring of suburbs beyond is tumble-down and grubby.Among the city's confusions is that cars drive on the left, as at home, while escalator riders are asked to stand right. Simple enough perhaps but this creates footpath confusion amid the madding crowds.Best then to head countryside, to Stratford-upon-Avon and down to Abergavenny in Wales to rediscover old work places and such.For this jaunt the all-new Citroen C5 is a recommended travelling partner, a most sensible European machine with airs of distinction.The deep red sedan was a C5 2.0 HDi VTR+ with six-speed automatic transmission, 101kW of diesel power and the only car with five stars for adult occupant protection in recent Euro NCAP crash tests.It ran for 450 kilometres over a week of motorways (at speed), B-roads (with care and suspension set to sport) and down rough and narrow lanes (with Hydractive suspension set on high and parking sensors going berserk, must have been the badgers in the hedgerow).All the while the C5 was a most comfortable conveyance, albeit one with a dearth of cupholders but many buttons for adjusting all manner of things from stereo to airconditioning and an automatic park brake (applies itself when parked, releases with a prod of the throttle).The centre boss of the steering wheel is fixed, allowing for some of these buttons to stay still.During the week, the handsome C5 averaged 50km/h and 6.3 litres/100km, much appreciated with English diesel about $3 a litre.The latest Citroen turns heads with a boldness that includes concave rear windscreen, subtle strips of chrome and stand-out wheels. It has a solid feel in style and substance, down to electronic stability control with traction control for the front wheels for positive take-offs and confidence on damp back roads. It is also most spacious — plenty of head and leg room — for four adults plus luggage and runs everywhere with only the sounds of a quite decent stereo to disturb the serenity.The ride, as expected from a mid-sized Citroen, is excellent though there was some crash-thump from the 17-inch wheels in larger potholes.The suspension's sports setting allows for a flatter ride, a little less float over the standard mode, but the C5 is never a sharp sports sedan.Rather, with communicative steering, reassuring brakes and a willing engine (in particular with the transmission in sports mode), the Citroen C5 is a most sensible, safe and smart touring machine with great comfort and a decent amount of individualism over the likes of Ford's Mondeo and other Euro-rivals.PS: In Britain this model is priced at about $42,000. Australians should see the new C5 — with two-litre petrol, two-litre and V6 diesel options — in September with prices starting in the low $40,000s.

The C5 is one of the best value premium cars on the market, occasionally some cars such as this one tend to slip under the radar.Every now and then something will be booked into the test garage and you automatically think why has this been so stealth-like? The Citroen C5 is an example, which uses the upgraded 2.2-litre diesel assisted by twin turbochargers.This is a $50k sedan loaded with charm, sophistication, economy and performance.Frankly it has a lot of boxes ticked and for $53,990 represents value-plus at the entry end of the premium sedan market.Together with smart looks the C5 is an effortless drive around town and on the highway.You literally feel like you've just plonked yourself down into your favourite armchair or that cosy pair of slippers that has served well in the chilly months.If the C5 is not the cushiest ride in the $50k-plus saloon segment, then whatever is has well and truly evaded the radar and will never reveal itself.The ride comfort is supreme and there is little that will not be soaked up by the neat Hydractive suspension that uses an automatic self-levelling feature.The Hydractive 3 suspension is the piece de resistance of the C5 that cushions lumps, bumps and imperfections with almost perfect efficiency.Even if you were suffering from a bruised tailbone it would still feel like you're on a magic carpet ride.The C5 is reflective of all things that have made Citroen one of the world's most innovative car makers.Memories of the DS of the mid-1950s, which brought self-levelling, hydraulic, hydropneumatic suspension to the European masses, are revived. The Hydractive 3 suspension adjusts the ride height of the C5 according to road speed.Variations of up to 15mm at the nose and 11mm in the rear give greater controllability foremost and also can help fuel efficiency through better aerodynamics.Ride and handling are outstanding and while there remains a slight delay in power production, once the turbos spool-up the C5 becomes extremely responsive.This new turbo system is based on two fixed geometry turbochargers of identical size. Each one supplies around half the air input required at high engine speeds.This extends the operating range of the turbochargers and improves engine performance at both high and low speeds.At low revs, below 2700rpm, only one turbocharger is working. This low inertia turbocharger delivers almost instant response, as well as providing up to 40 per cent more torque than the previous 2.2 HDi engine.At engine rpm over 2700, the second turbocharger kicks in to supply the increased air intake required at higher engine speeds.At your disposal is 125kW of power but where this C5 gets its kick is that a relatively massive 400Nm of torque is available from as little as 1750rpm.Fuel mileage with this diesel remained at 8.1litres/100km in a test, which combined about 240km of slow city running with 200km of highway work.Inside there is plenty of leather trim and the layout of the controls and design of the dash and surrounds remain smart and clean.There are rear seat child restraint anchor points and safety locks on the rear doors.Nothing about the C5 2.2-litre HDI is underwhelming.This car is on the pace in all the key areas. Attention to detail is impressive to the point where the side windows are laminated, blocking out road noise coming from passing traffic.The good thing is that the equipment list is packed with that much stuff that there remain only a few items left to option.If you fancy tarting up your C5 there is the SatNav and phone package for $4000, the electric sunroof for $2000 while metallic paint is available for $750.In summary the C5 is one of the best value premium cars on the market. Citroen C5 2.2-litre HDI$53,990Engine: 4 starsSmooth and creamy with heaps of low to mid-range torqueTransmission: 4 starsSix-speed auto offers good kickdown and is well matched to the motorHandling: 3 starsSteering can be a bit vague but offers good body control in the bendsSafety: 4 starsHas about as much electronic and passive gear as is possibleValue: 4 starsPerformance (check), economy (check), equipment (check), safety (check) Tech specsBoody: 4-door sedanEngine: 2.2-litre, 16-valve, 4-cylinder twin sequential-turbo dieselTransmission: 6-speed auto with sequential functionPower: 125kW @ 4000rpmTorque: 400Nm @ 1750rpmDimensions (MM): 4743 l, 1780 w, 1476 h, 2750 wheelbase   Verdict For: A massive statement in getting most things right not-the-least, ride qualityAgainst: Still uses old-style tiller and not the fixed hub steering wheel which is now a trademark of CitroenOverall: 4 starsA magic sedan with loads of value 

But the good news for the French company is that the gong goes to one of its own - the new and larger C6 set to arrive later this year.C5 has recently undergone a facelift, with new engines, transmissions and other changes.Although it looks like a sedan, the car's bootlid and rear window actually lift as one piece, just like a hatchback.Of course it wouldn't be a Citroen unless it had fancy suspension and the C5 does not disappoint.The hydro-pneumatic system does away with springs and shock absorbers, replacing them with a gas and hydraulic suspension system instead.The Hydractive 3 suspension changes the car's ride height, both automatically or manually - at the push of a button.Above 110km/h the nose drops 15mm and the tail drops 11mm, returning to the normal if speed drops below 90km/h.But on poor road surfaces the nose and tail come up 15mm, staying there unless speed rises above 70km/h.Then there's some manual settings. The car can be raised 40mm to clear obstacles, with a low setting for loading and a maximum setting for changing a flat.Our test vehicle was the top of the range Citroen C5 fitted with the latest version of the 3.0-litre V6 engine.Four cylinder and turbo diesel models are also available.The V6 develops 155kW at 6000rpm and maximum torque of 290Nm at 3750rpm.The engine is hooked up to a new AISIN sequential, six-speed automatic transmission.First gear has been shortened to provide quicker take-offs and a taller sixth gear has been fitted to reduce fuel consumption.It is a relatively high revving engine that does not start to perform until it really starts to get going.The V6 model can sprint from 0 to 100km/ h in 8.6 seconds and has a top speed of 230km/ h.C5 is well equipped, with leather and climate airconditioning standard as well as some features normally found in much more expens- ive vehicles.The lights don't just operated automatically, they come on earlier when it is raining, while the V6's high powererd Xenon headlights follow the direction of the wheel.The cruise control system includes a speed limiter and the power operated windows close when a sensor detects rain.The same sensor also turns on the windscreen wipers automatically.We don't mind the look of the new "boomerang" shaped head lights but we're not too keen on the tail lights.Inside, the speedometer segmentations are cluttered and hinder rather than help the driver to see how fast they are going.Safety equipment includes anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control and a total of seven airbags.C5 offers plenty of room inside in what is best be described as loungeroom comfort.For a car with such a big rep however the drive experience is somewhat disappointing.Even with the suspension set to sport the handling is rather soft and the gear changes are not always smooth.Fuel economy for the V6 is a claimed 10.0L/100km from the 66-litre tank. During testing we got 11.2L/100km.The Citroen C5 V6 is priced from $55,990. 

Time spent recently with the Citroen family's largest — for the moment — model left a rather empty feeling. An impression that it should have been enjoyed more.At $55,990, the C5 V6 is playing in a fairly demanding ballpark.Shoppers with that sort of greenery in the back pocket have a rich menu to select from.Chrysler's 3.5-litre 300C, Holden's 3.6-litre Statesman, Ford's 4.0-litre Fairlane Ghia, Peugeot's 3.0-litre 407 and Volvo's turbo AWD S40 are just some prime examples of those there or thereabouts.What the C5 does offer — apart from its Gallic individuality — is a reputable claim to being the "safest" car on the road.What it actually has is the highest safety score ever handed out by boffins at the EuroNCAP crash test centre. The Citroen C5 actually scored an unprecedented 36 points out of a possible 37.Even better, it managed a 100 per cent score in the frontal impact test.What really impressed the NCAP guys was that the C5 passenger cell protected all occupants with an impressive side impact protection system, warning lights for rear as well as front seatbelts, double pretensioner on the front passenger belt and knee airbags.In a nutshell, this means that as that big accident looms you will be allowed a momentary self-satisfied smirk because you chose to spend your hard-earned on the C5.However, the NCAP engineers only crash cars — they don't have to drive them or live with them day-to-day. In the C5, there are lots and lots of neat individual aspects — it is only the whole that fails to engage. The styling is ... French. Long front overhangs and a bonnet that extends far enough into the distance to intimidate first-time drivers in tight car parks. Yet, it is pleasing to the eye.The interior of the cabin is spacious with an instrument display that is clear and easy to read. The seats are comfortable without being outstanding and most of the ergonomics are at the better end of the French scale.There are also numerous nooks and crannies in which to store/hide the ever-growing list of small items you take into a car.The major exception to the ergonomics is the driver's footrest, which is narrow and tucked away hard against the central tunnel.Using the multi-function stalks mounted on the steering column also takes a degree of practice and concentration but they work well and, as an owner, use would become more instinctive over time. Powering the top-of-the-range C5 is the 3.0-litre V6 Citroen shares with development partner Peugeot.With 155kW available at a peak of 6000rpm and 290Nm of torque on tap at 3750rpm the outputs are mid-range at best. Around the city the engine gives the impression of being relaxed. The six-speed automatic does its best with well-sorted ratios but shifting position quickly in slow-going traffic to take advantage of merging opportunities is not a forte.As a highway cruiser the C5 takes on another character entirely. The steering feel, disconcertingly light at low speeds, weights up nicely; the clever Hydractive suspension reads the road surface and speed for a more sporty damper response and the C5 becomes an effortless cruise; in this environment the six-speed shifter feels completely at home.Unfortunately, the Hydractive's ability to lower the car by 15mm for highway running only comes into effect over Australia's 110km/h speed limit. Overall, the impression is that in the C5 there was something worth getting to know, but an absolute certainty that it was going to take a lot of hard work.

Citroen's hallmark air suspension is everything it's hyped up to be ... a few notches below bouncing on a blow-up castle.You may sniff that this car is simply the French Falcon, mais oui, but your average frog is tres chic, demanding rear cup holders that cater for stemmed glasses.Of course, there is the old-school de rigueur front ashtray for those Gitanes as well – not so elegant. Driving needn't be a chore when you've got windscreen wipers which wave at the first sight of rain and headlights which sense when it's the darker side of twilight.I'd recommend upgrading your handbag to a tote, however, to cater for the enormous Citroen key. While it looks like a tennis racquet, it has an extra handy feature which turns the headlights on or off at a distance.Crash test dummies love Citroen C5, too, with its safety record a cut above the rest. In February, it was voted safest car ever by Euro NCAP – an independent testing agency – with almost full protection for drivers, and dummies, on front and side collisions.There are airbags aplenty – six in total on front, side and rear, plus front and rear curtain airbags – a fuel line that cuts out on impact, remote central locking that kicks in when the car takes off and an overspeed warning alarm.Safe as houses.Speaking of houses, I would gladly rip out Citroen's seats and cosy armrests and place them in my lounge room. Barring that, it is one of the more comfortable choices for the drive-in, if you are keen for a cruise to Gepps Cross.There's plenty of room in the boot for stowaways, too.Having had the fortune to do a "vertical tasting" of Citroen's C3, C4 and C5 in the past few months, I would place the family-car diesel at the top of the tree for comfort and practicality.But for those pleasure seekers without human or fur families, the C4 is a slicker, sexier option.Either way, the French Falcon is a classy car, even with the ashtray.LOVE IT LEAVE ITCitroen C5 HDi SXFour-cylinder, 2.2-litre automatic dieselPrice: $51,990LOVE ITDreamy suspension.Surprisingly quick acceleration.Leather trim.Pram-friendly boot.LEAVE ITSounds like a tractor at idle.Confusing stereo controls.Seat belt alarm.Tennis-racquet-look key.

A short sprint to the shops? Two of our testers chose the other car in their garages for that work – one was a Datsun 240Z and the other a 1987 Subaru Brumby ute.Does that tell you something?We would love to love the C5, but it is for a select group of people who know what they want. For most, other cars would do the same job a lot better, unless you're planning retirement and the Big Trip.The C5 is beautifully comfortable, with soft front buckets that get better over a distance, and there is no questioning the standard equipment, the efficiency of the air-con, or the way the car can cover kilometres.The Hydractive suspension copes with the worst roads with minimal effort. It can be raised to boost clearance on gnarly gravel and that makes it fine for regular country driving.But the C5 is big and heavy, and even its huge torque cannot make it a city sprinter. You get left behind all the time, and it needs a bit of warning for overtaking work.The payback is excellent economy, averaging 7.2 litres/100km during our test, and we saw less than five litres on the trip computer during highway cruising. At that rate, it will cover 800km between stops and could be coaxed beyond 1000km on a relaxed Outback run.But, still, we also found ourselves thinking more about rivals – and other cars we would prefer to drive – during a lot of our time with the C5. At one point there was a Toyota Avalon alongside and it seemed a nicer choice.Considering what we think of the Avalon, which is ideal as a taxi, you can see what we think of the Citroen.Still, it proves Citroen has stayed faithful to its core values and that is good news for the latest generation of small and medium-sized cars. They have more style and perk, but are still good for tough roads and easy on fuel.In the same price and size range as the Citroen we'd be looking at the latest Peugeot 407 diesels and the Renault Laguna. All three are from France, but the 407 and Laguna would rate higher with most shoppers.Then there are the Volkswagen Passat and even the Saab 9-3, which would be better for many buyers.

It presumes that the driver is having 40 winks and is designed to bring him/her back to reality.It is pertinent that it is Citroen that is the developer of this potentially life-saving device.This is because one drive of the Citroen C5 — the biggest of the French car maker's range to be sold here — is like cuddling up for a few hours with the world's softest doona.I'll add quickly that the vibrating seat is on the latest C4, and is yet to be fitted to the bigger C5.Few cars, actually probably none, have such a long-sprung, fluid progress that is the envy of every mattress-maker in the land.In becoming the benchmark for Beds Plus, the new C5 gets an even better hydraulic suspension, which now has a sport-mode for (slightly) flatter cornering stance, and a level ride regardless of load.Drive over speed humps and there's no clanging, banging, bump or, indeed, any jolt to the occupants' bodies.Fascinating stuff.On the freeway, the ride is so comfy and the floating sensation so close to bedtime after a hot Milo, that things could become too relaxed.The first corner puts everything back into perspective.The suspension is so compliant that the C5 is ready to lean quite quickly into the corners, with only its tenacious front-wheel-drive grip left to maintain dignity.It's actually a good handler, but the car's large size and the long-travel suspension make it feel less poised than a conventional sedan.The fantastic ride enjoyed by passengers is matched only by the cavernous room within this car.It's as big as a Statesman in the rear seat, with a huge boot accessed easily via an oversized hatch.The version tested had all the fruit, with soft leather and lots of electrically operated equipment. More noticeable was the higher standard of build quality than the previous model.All the fruit and the high standard of finish arrive for good reason — at about $52,000, this car is no cheapie.Its up against the likes of the Statesman and Fairlane, so it has to be good.It's rather tame, 2.2-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-diesel engine at first appears to be a deficiency.In the land where the V8 is king, it's a big ask to find converts.But appearances are deceptive. The Hdi common-rail turbocharged, intercooled diesel engine — new for 2005 and with an extra 200cc — is a burster, with truckloads of torque arriving low down in the rev range, and only some initial hesitation there to thwart any performance urges.It's matched to a four-speed automatic which is an absolute treat, boasting sequential change for those who like to play manual gearboxes.That lovely ride impacts a bit on the steering system, which is as vague as a teenage soapie star and requires concentration to keep on an accurate line.The C5 comes standard with leather, electric seats, premium sound system, alloy wheels, one of the highest safety ratings around, electric windows and mirrors, auto wipers and headlights, cruise control, and so on.It is simply a nice piece of work, made all the more impressive by the new grille and boomerang tail lights.

Citroens in general are not everyone's cup of tea, although local importers have high hopes for the compact C4 to lift numbers to 3500 by Christmas next year.But the Citroen marque and its rich and wonderful heritage remain an enigma to many. Add a diesel engine option and there's more mystery.Yet there is much to be admired and used in a Citroen across Australia, best appreciated on long drives over indifferent roads.For a C5 diesel Citroen is a great tourer with its own, albeit small, cult following.The hydraulic suspension offers excellent ride comfort, the diesel engine offers good fuel economy and there is the style to stand out from the herd. This C5 is also "the safest car" yet tested by EuroNCAP, scoring 36 out of a possible 37 in the crash tests.This year's diesel model arrives in the reworked body with its clean, simple and distinctive nose and hippy profile which leads to a fair amount of passenger and cargo space under the rear hatch opening.The $51,990 C5 diesel is kitted out with leather and automatic climate control airconditioning, stereo and trip computer plus lots of electric helpers from seats to windows.It is a nice machine to be trekking from one end of the Gold Coast for early morning triathlons to the other end of the Sunshine Coast for football matters on a sunny Sunday.It fires up with the hint of an old Magna with a couple of tappets out of whack, just a faint clatter.This is smoothed out and away with a few revs on board and the C5 surfs through the traffic.The Citroen is effortless out on the highway, engine revs sitting just above 2000rpm at 110km/h and trip computer reckoning on 6 to 8 litres per 100km on a gentle road.Give the turbocharged 2.2 litre engine a tickle with the boot, or flick back from fourth to third, and there's an easy and smooth surge of reassuring, if not neck-breaking, acceleration.There are 98kW at 4000rpm, 314Nm of torque at 4000rpm.So the first couple of starts from the traffic lights needs a touch more throttle application than a V6 Commodore but the C5 is smart enough.Using the gearbox manually helps but the shift from first to second is pretty short.There is a Sport setting for the suspension but in the main best to let it get on with its own business. It loafs over speed bumps, keeps little lumps and bumps at bay on the open road.It is not a sports tourer. There is decent feel to the steering and good road holding but the handling is on the softer side of sharp.There is never any drama with the C5's road manners, it just prefers the long-distance runs rather than a sprint up a mountainside.Back and around the city streets the C5 is flexible and family friendly.There is an easy charm to the cabin and good visibility in most directions although that driver's exterior mirror with split screen takes some adjustment.It is gentle, comfortable and safe. There are seven airbags around the cabin, including a knee bag for the driver.The Citroen C5 diesel is a safe, comfortable and cosseting machine with good accommodation for people and luggage (through that big rear hatch) plus good economy.It is not cheap but offers value. It will not appeal to a huge crowd but those who drive any distance in style will be much appreciative.

Side mirrors fold out and the car's self-levelling suspension system takes over, lowering the car for faster highway driving or raising it for rougher roads.Open the boot and the rear end lifts up – ready for all that shopping.This is an intelligent car. And what manners!When it gets dark or you drive into a car park or tunnel, the lights come on automatically.If it rains, the windscreen wipers start swishing – automatically.And when the wipers start, the windows go up – automatically.So...when turning into a dark car park, if you flick the windscreen wipers on instead of the indicator (because they're on the opposite side of the wheel to what you're used to) and the lights turn on and windows go up, don't panic (like I did). It's just doing what it does – automatically.A smooth operator is the C5.Handsome, trim body (not too long or bulky), smartly dressed in soft leather, well appointed and easy to manipulate, er, manoeuvre. Tactful too – no bells and whistles when you do something wrong. Just a gentle reminder on the dash when you forget to buckle up.You'll come face to face with some stunning French features, such as the good-looking dash, nifty compartments that fold away into the dash and door trims, armrests that stop where you want them to and even cup holders that double as gadget gatherers.But when will designers get the hint that the plastic fake wood trim they insist on using to mark a top-of-the-range model looks just like, well, plastic fake wood trim? Ugh.The C5 wagon is family oriented. Lots of room in the back for children, and the rear seats split 60/40 or fold down completely to fit longer, larger loads.A cargo net stops anything stored in the back from ending up in the front, and another net stops items from rolling around the huge space. There's even a pull-out cover to make whatever you do have in the back look neat.The back armrest folds down and opens to a peep hole – perfect size for a petite pooch to fit through.As far as the ride goes, it's a little "clunky" and indecisive at low speeds. . But put your foot down and the C5's turbo kicks in and really performs . . . and it doesn't drink too much (half a tank will cover about 700km).A tip: make sure to read up on the manual for this model. There are more buttons than you can poke your finger at and more features than you can possibly hope to fumble your way through in a week of test driving.LOVE IT, LEAVE ITCitroen C5 HDiPrice: $47,490Love it:It does a lot of the thinking for you. Perfect armrest positioning.Leave it:The diesel chatter. An English friend thought a London taxi had pulled up in his drive.Too many levers on the steering wheel.

Take, for example, the car we've just finished driving – Citroen's C5 HDi Estate.To be frank, our first impressions were not too complimentary. I found it noisy, desperately slow and, if that wasn't enough, it didn't even strike me as being all that pretty to look at.But I guess that's why we test cars over a few days, rather than just a quick spin around the block.Because, ever so slowly, this car began to win me over. Slowly being the operative word. It took a while to warm to a car that takes forever to get itself up and running, but the Citroen earned our affection in other ways.In part, it's because I became used to its rather unique style and its "relaxed" pace.Mainly, though, we loved the fact that even after driving it for more than a week, the fuel gauge was still showing almost half full.So every time we'd spot a fuel station with prices reading well over $1 a litre, our Citroen C5 HDi Estate just kept on chugging happily past.There's a reason for that, which I should explain. The HDi bit means this car is powered by a diesel engine; the Estate part is Euro-talk for station wagon; and the Citroen bit, well, that means it's French. And, if you know anything about French cars, that also means it's a bit quirky.The Citroen name always reminds me of those exotic cars they built during the '60s and '70s; big, sleek-backed things with pneumatic suspension which, when stationary, would drop the rear-end almost to the ground.They looked like a cross between a giant cockroach and something from another world which, in those days, they were.Although Citroens don't look quite as "alien" these days, they still have a unique style and that pneumatic suspension remains, even if it's a bit more sophisticated.And then there's the diesel engine, the likes of which have become hugely popular in Europe.Unfortunately for Citroen, the C5's diesel is probably a generation behind some of the latest oil-burners, like those in the Audi A3/VW Golf, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW's X5.By comparison, the Citroen diesel is a bit sluggish. At best. This was never more evident than when I pulled alongside an old truck, loaded up with boxes of fruit, at the traffic lights...and struggled to get ahead of it once the lights changed.Changing the automatic transmission into "sport" mode helped a bit, but not much. We're talking about 15 seconds for the 0-100km/h "sprint".At least the C5 has nice, plush leather seats, complete with arm rests in the front, so you can be comfortable while waiting for it to get motoring. And once it does, the big wagon isn't a bad thing at all. It handles well, even though that pneumatic suspension makes the ride feel a little soft and vague.It's nicely fitted out and smartly finished. You get dual-zone climate control air; top-notch CD-stereo with wheel-mounted controls; automatic lights and rain-sensing wipers, electric everything (including mirrors that fold themselves in when you turn the engine off) plus lashings of leather. All pretty good buying for well under $50-grand.Over a few weeks, we tested both the petrol-engined C5 sedan and diesel-engined Estate. Interestingly, it's the smartly-performed petrol version which Citroen is finding hardest to sell, even offering free trips to Paris for new buyers. Strange, really, because we thought it was a lovely thing.So why would you opt for the diesel variant? Well it makes enormous sense if you're travelling regular long distances.A work colleague recently began commuting from the Sunshine Coast to Brisbane every day and reported that the C5 diesel made the journey, a daily round trip of about 180km, almost five times on one tank of fuel. That's fabulous going for a car so big, comfortable and so able to swallow a huge load.Even around town, we were astonished to see the digital trip computer showing the C5 sipping just 7l/100km in heavy traffic. On the open road it will manage closer to five.At highway speeds (once you get there) it's competent if not inspiring. It will happily sit on the speed limit but it's not exactly dynamic when you need to overtake.I was a bit surprised to find my wife, who's never been a fan of noisy diesel engines, defending the Citroen."I think it's very nice. I don't know what you're complaining about," she said.It's too slow, I protested. "You drive too fast," came the reply. "Nothing wrong with it."So the Citroen, it seems, has even won over a committed diesel-hater.And, I'd have to admit, by the end of the week it had won me over too.Ever so slowly.