Citroen C5 HDi Car Review

Facts At A Glance
Car: Citroen C5 HDi
Prices: £18,195-£28,295 – on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 8-16
Emissions: 1140-195g/km
Performance: [2.0 HDi] Max Speed 127mph / 0-60mph 11.6s
Fuel Consumption: [2.0 HDi] (urban) 35.8mpg / (extra urban) 57.6mpg / (combined) 47.1mpg
Safety: Twin Front, side and curtain airbags / ABS / ESP
Dimensions: [saloon] Length/Width/Height 4779/1853/1458mm

Luxury Diesel

Our Rating: No Rating Available

For years the UK was a little behind the rest of Europe when it comes to jumping on the diesel-powered bandwagon. The UK is now finally catching up with the rest of the region due to the fleet sector who need cars that deliver a better gas consumption number and also give out lower emissions. Which is why it isn't too surprising that Citroen is leading the way with diesel power in the UK.

Citroen diesel engines have a very good reputation inside the UK. Citroen offers diesel engines in every class of car they sell in the UK. Many of them have been strong sellers for years. No one was surprised when BMW used Citroen to help them develop a small diesel engine to use in their MINI line.

The C5 is Citroen's entry into the medium range family car market. As per most cars in this class it offers the usually front-wheel-drive in both saloons and estates with a wide range of trim levels and options. Most of the C5s come with 4-cylinder engines with one 6-cylinger choice for those people looking for a little more power. Other cars in this class include the Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Insignia and the Renault Laguna.

Two suspension options are available with the C5 HDi: the standard steel springs or the higher-level Hydractive 3 system. Both options offer a nice, comfortable ride. The main difference between the two is basically the ability to control the comfort level in the Hydractive 3 version.

The new C5 is one of the biggest cars in its class. The saloon version is a bit longer than the Ford Mondeo and nearly as wide. If the buyer chooses the estate version they get an extra 5cm of length. Citroen has taken great pains to ensure an extremely quiet ride. They have outfitted the car with laminated side windows, an acoustic windscreen and absorbent linings in both the doors and roof. This creates a very hushed cabin.

Citroen is well known for putting high-levels of gadgetry in all of its cars with the C5 being no exception. Many of gadgets you find in the upper-level C6 are also present in the C5. Some might think the console is a little cluttered, but the chrome detailing and the upgraded fascia give the car an elegant look.

The HDi line of C5s comes with a choice of four diesel powered engines. The first choice of engines is the entry level 1.6-litre that delivers a decent 110bhp that will get a driver from 0-60mph in about 13.4 seconds. The next step up in the diesel line is the 2.0 HDi that offers 140bhp and 320NM of torque. Better still is the 2.2-litre HDi with 173bhp and 370Nm of torque. The range topper for the C5 HDi line is the V6 3.0-litre that gives 240bhp and 450Nm that will take the car from 0-60mph in 8.0 seconds.

All the diesel powered engines in the C5 line offer good fuel consumption. The range is about 38mpg to 50mpg combined depending on which engine you choose. The 1.6-litre gets the best mileage at around 50mpg combined. The range of emissions is 119 to 195 g/km.

The C5 may not be the best car in its range it does offer a very luxurious interior and a nice feel suspension wise. The range of diesel engines is what truly sets the C5 apart from the other cars in its class.