Name: Citroën C5 X (2022 - present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Citroën C5 X
Rating: 72.0

Summary

Arriving in the UK in Spring 2022, the Citroën C5 X is a five-door liftback which sits somewhere between a conventional car and a crossover/SUV vehicle.

The successor to the long-gone Citroën C5 and C6 large car models, the C5 X is only available with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. A selection of petrol engines are available, as is a range-topping plug-in hybrid model that uses the same technology as the Peugeot 508 plug-in hybrid saloon.

Reviewers have been in disagreement over how to classify the C5 X, with some labelling it a crossover estate and others an SUV. Like an increasing number of new cars, it sits taller than a conventional saloon or estate but lower than a regular SUV, in much the same way as the smaller Citroën C4.

The Citroën C5 X has received very consistent review scores from its international launch, with every review concluding that it is a very good addition to the Citroën range, and that it offers an interesting alternative to the crowded crossover market.

“Whatever it is, it’s the best Citroën we’ve driven in years”, Heycar comments, highlighting the C5 X for its practical and refined interior. The Telegraph agrees, and adds that the C5 X’s combination of distinctive looks, generous equipment levels and long-distance comfort make the keenly-priced entry-level petrol model an attractive proposition.

That said, many reviewers, including The Telegraph, state that the cheapest model is the best option. While journalists welcome the addition of a plug-in hybrid to the range, a majority of the reviews criticise this top-of-the-range model for its expensive price tag and its fairly average electric range of 34 miles.

While admitting that conventional plug-in hybrid rivals like the Skoda Octavia, Seat Leon and Peugeot 3008 offer a longer battery range, Car asserts that the C5 X is “a breath of fresh air – a calming, spacious and supremely comfortable vehicle”.

As of January 2025, the Citroën C5 X holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 72%. It earns top marks for its low running costs and CO₂ emissions, while its safety score and media reviews are also good. However, it’s worth noting that we don’t currently have reliability data for the C5 X, so check back again soon.

More Citroën Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features

C5 X highlights

Affordable entry-level pricing
Cabin refinement
Spacious interior
Distinctive exterior looks

C5 X lowlights

SUV alternatives offer more boot space
Lethargic handling
Plug-in hybrid is expensive
Awkward automatic gearbox

Key specifications

Body style: Large five-door liftback
Engines: petrol, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £28,695 on-road

Launched: Spring 2022
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert+

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid Shine Plus
Score: 7.4 / 10
“The Citroën C5 X defines its own car segment that takes the best of an estate and mixes it with a higher stance on the road. It’s quirky yet practical, and offers a relaxing driving experience.”
Author: Trinity Francis
Read review

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol automatic Shine
Score: 8 / 10
“This PureTech petrol model loses a little of its ride comfort when compared with the plug-in hybrid C5 X, but it improves on that version in other areas, with a larger, more practical boot and an even more affordable price tag given the equipment and space on offer.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol automatic Shine
Score: 8 / 10
“The petrol Citroen C5 X loses a little of its ride comfort when compared with the plug-in hybrid, but it improves in other areas, with a larger, more practical boot and a more affordable price tag. With stronger tech than ever from Citroen, plus a unique design that doesn’t compromise usability, the C5 X is a solid family car for those who’ve decided that they definitely don’t want an SUV.” (Sean Carson)
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Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid
Score: 8 / 10
“The new Citroen C5 X is a well-equipped and comfortable cruiser, although the range-topping plug-in hybrid isn’t cheap.”
Read review

Auto Trader+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s certainly a distinctive alternative to more conventional rivals like the Skoda Octavia while offering similar advantages of huge interior space at a very appealing price. A convincing plug-in hybrid variant is an attractive, if more expensive, part of the line-up and a flexible electrified alternative for drivers not yet ready to go fully battery powered.” (Dan Trent)
Read review

Business Car+

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid Shine Plus
Score: 8 / 10
“We salute Citroën for offering the C5 X – in hybrid form with its low running costs, it provides another option to what seems like a default SUV choice. A great long-distance driver, the C5 X also has attractive and distinctive styling, has impressive levels of comfort in the well-made, spacious, and practical interior, all at a price that seems good value.”
Author: Martyn Collins
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The C5X has distinctive styling, offers impressive levels of comfort in the well-made, spacious and practical interior and all with keen pricing levels. The plug-in version in particular has especially low running costs.”
Read review

Car+

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid
Score: 8 / 10
“The Citroën C5X is a breath of fresh air. It squarely nails its brief to offer a calming, spacious and supremely comfortable vehicle. And it’s keenly priced too. Citroën is one of the first car makers to show a credible vision for a post-SUV bodystyle, with some of its practical benefits but improved aerodynamic efficiency.”
Author: Alan Taylor-Jones
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Car Keys+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“Citroen’s previous large saloons have been a bit hit-and-miss, but the C5 X feels right on target. It brings lots of style, spaciousness and quality, yet still at a relatively affordable price. The plug-in hybrid is a pleasing all-rounder too, though the petrol options might make more sense depending on your usage.” (Ted Welford)
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Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Citroen C5 X is a comfortable and intriguing mix of body styles, and is worth considering against the usual German executives.” (Ben Custard)
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Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Citroen C5 X is a large family crossover estate that majors on comfort and refinement. It certainly stands out in a crowd, but the hybrid’s electric range isn’t great.”
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Driving Electric+

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid
Score: 8 / 10
“Citroen’s new plug-in flagship is a comfortable cruiser with plenty of electric range for most commutes, however it can’t match cheaper SUVs when it comes to boot space.”
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Electrifying.com+

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid
Score: 8 / 10
“Citroen has pulled off a bit of a coup with the C5 X as it could have felt like a big car with an identity crisis, but it doesn’t. In many respects, it’s a welcome alternative for those bored with plug-in hybrid SUVs.”
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Heycar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Citroen C5 X is a new type of car from a French brand known for innovating. Is it a big hatchback? Is it a svelte estate? Is it a low-slung SUV? Whatever it is, and despite its challenging looks, it’s the best Citroen we’ve driven in years.”
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Honest John+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Citroen C5 X is part large hatchback, part estate and part SUV. It’s Citroen thinking outside the box, but despite its challenging looks it’s also one of the best cars the French brand has made in a long time.”
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Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.4 / 10
“It sticks to Citroen’s commitment to comfort – seating and ride are very good, and there’s also more than enough room front and rear to take care of all but the largest families. It’s also striking to look at, and an individualistic choice in a market filling up with me-too SUVs.”
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The Sun+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“Citroen is trying to break that habit. It has deliberately priced this C5 X from £27,790 to compete against Qashqai and Sportage. It will be hard to tempt people away from these much-loved SUVs. But if you really do fancy something different, C5 X is worth a look.”
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Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol automatic Shine Plus
“The Citroen C5 X smells of committee design. It looks like the chairperson wanted a big hatchback. But then the secretary argued for an estate. And finally the treasurer chipped in and said it had to have some crossover about it. The plug-in hybrid version should be avoided, but the simple petrol-engined version shows the C5 X committee actually passed a clever motion.”
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The Telegraph+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“This could be Citroen’s last stab at building the kind of large, urbane estate it’s always done so well. If it is, we should shed a tear, because we’ll be losing the sort of car that delivered family-friendly long-distance motoring in a way few others could. It runs the risk of being the worst kind of compromise, but the C5 X impressively blends the disparate demands of modern motoring” (Alex Robbins)
Read review

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol automatic Shine
Score: 8 / 10
“There’s merit in this new Citroen, especially for a big family looking for long-distance comfort. I rather liked this car, which has an attractive combination of looks and ride although, as is so often the case, the best model is the cheapest one.”
Read review

Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s also a very pleasant thing to sit in, to ride in and – more of a surprise this – to drive. It doesn’t feel like a re-dressed Peugeot 508 either. It has a definite, comfortable character of its own.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 4 stars
Date tested: September 2022
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 82%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 69%
Safety assist: 66%

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of January 2025, the Citroën C5 X has not been tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of January 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Citroën C5 X to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.

As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the C5 X, we’ll publish the results here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	45 mpg	C	41 – 48 mpg	C – D
Hybrid models	53 mpg	B	48 – 59 mpg	A – C
Plug-in hybrid models	211 mpg	A	186 – 236 mpg	A – A

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	147 g/km	B	137 – 156 g/km	B – B
Hybrid models	125 g/km	A	116 – 133 g/km	A – A
Plug-in hybrid models	32 g/km	A	30 – 33 g/km	A – A

Battery range	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Plug-in hybrid models	34 miles	E	33 – 40 miles	D – E

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	26	B	20 – 31	A – C

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£210	B
Year 2	£611	B
Year 3	£970	B
Year 4	£1,224	B
Year 5	£1,658	B
Overall	£4,673	B

The Citroën C5 X should be a relatively affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our technical partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Fuel economy for the petrol models is good, and even better for the hybrid versions. The plug-in hybrid looks great on paper, but that’s due to the woeful EU/UK government lab tests that are completely useless at measuring a plug-in hybrid…

The plug-in hybrid battery range looks poor, but it’s fairly average for this sort of car. A fully electric car of similar size, by comparison, will usually have about 250-300 miles of range.

Insurance costs are very good, as are servicing and maintenance over the first five years.