Why the Citroen C5 X defies definition

Stylish and well-equipped, this family machine is for folks prepared to swim against the tide of more popular machines.

The Citroen C5 X Shine is the only model grade available for about $63,000 drive-away.

Large cars from French manufacturers often represent curious machines geared toward folks who swim against the tide. Citroen’s C5 X is no exception.

The Citroen C5 X defies definition

If you ask Citroen, the C5 X is a car that delivers a “unique crossover balance between the elegance of a sedan with its long bonnet, the dynamism of a wagon with its large boot and the elevated driving position of an SUV”.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Nope, it’s a wagon.

The car industry puts it in the same category as Kia’s Stinger sedan, but we reckon it’s a SUV-like wagon in the same category as a Subaru Outback or Volkswagen Passat Alltrack, long-roofed cars with elevated suspension and the promise of adventure.

It’s a rare sight on the road

The C5 X’s distinctive arrow-shaped headlights, handsome silhouette and polished 19-inch rims aren’t likely to be a common feature on the highway. Citroen registered just three examples of the car in January, almost half the eight vehicles it recorded as sold.

You’re statistically more likely to spot a McLaren in the traffic – at least for a while.

Ferrari put twice as many cars on customer driveways last month, and Subaru’s Outback outsold the French machine by more than 100 to one in December and January. There’s no doubt Citroen represents a niche choice in Australia.

You get plenty of gear

It’s wild to think a wagon sold for about $63,000 drive-away has the rarity to rival $1 million supercars. To many owners, that may represent part of its appeal.

The Citroen’s cabin is a winner.

Offered in a single high specification, the C5 X is loaded with gear such as heated leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, digital dashboard and head-up display. It has impressively comfortable seats, a decent array of driver aids, and a wide-screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Simple graphics on the drivers’ display work in its favour.

Most cars come with white paint as standard.

But the Citroen’s complimentary hue is blue, while white adds $1050 to the bill.

Our test car’s muted green duco (confusingly named Amazonite Grey) is a $690 option.

The C5 X is significantly lighter than similar-sized rivals.

This wagon treads lightly

Citroen and its Peugeot sister brand take a different approach to big cars, preferring a lighter-is-better approach. Forget about powerful engines or heavy all-wheel-drive systems – the C5 X has a compact 1.6-litre turbo engine that uses 6L/100km of petrol to make 133kW and 250Nm.

It’s not super quick, but it is reasonably efficient.

Those are modest outputs for a sizeable machine, but the C5 X feels reasonably spritely on the road, helped by an attention to weight reduction that helps the front-wheel-drive wagon weigh in 200 kilos lighter than the equivalent Subaru.

But the driving experience is lumpy

Soft springs and plush shocks are accompanied by clever “progressive hydraulic cushions”, fluid-filled dampers that take the edge off sharp bumps. The Wagon’s ride over potholes and speed bumps is remarkable – it delivers some of the best ride comfort you’ll find in any car under $100,000.

Soft suspension is a plus, but the Citroen’s gearbox is not great.

Unfortunately, the suspension’s good work is undone by one of the worst transmissions we’ve experienced in new vehicles. The eight-speed auto’s jerky behaviour – particularly at low speed – undermines the appeal of an otherwise impressive machine.

Take a careful test drive on home turf before considering the Citroen C5 X.