Citroen C5 Aircross adds pothole-taming suspension and electric options

Citroen has updated its C5 Aircross SUV for the UK market, highlighting a suspension system the brand says can absorb rough roads and potholes with minimal fuss. The centerpiece is Citroen's progressive hydraulic cushions, designed to cushion the ride while preserving stability. The model is priced from £30,495 for the hybrid and is on sale now, with first deliveries expected around New Year.

It comes in three trim levels—You, Plus and Max—and a choice of propulsion: a 145-horsepower hybrid with a 1.2-litre turbo engine paired to an electric motor, and a fully electric model. The two versions shown at the UK launch were the hybrid starting at £30,495 and the fully electric e-C5 Aircross at £34,065. A high-spec plug-in hybrid version with around 53 miles of electric range is promised from £38,885. The C5 Aircross will also offer an eight-year warranty, underscoring Citroen’s emphasis on comfort and durability. First deliveries are expected in late December or early January.

Hybrid version: 145 hp, 0-62 mph in 11.2 seconds, top speed 125 mph; claimed fuel economy up to 43.6 mpg. Electric e-C5 Aircross: 210 hp, 0-62 mph in around 9 seconds; claimed range of 322 miles. A Long Range electric version with 230 hp is planned to follow, promising a substantially longer range.

The interior carries forward Citroen’s emphasis on a calm, roomy cabin. Standard features include a 13-inch central touchscreen, a wireless phone charger, and a flat-bottomed steering wheel, while the seats are described as sofa-like to enhance comfort on longer journeys. Exterior details noted at launch include anti-dazzle LED lighting and protruding Art-Deco-style rear lights that are designed to aid aerodynamic flow. The car is available in 18, 19 and 20-inch wheel sizes, with options such as a head-up display and a panoramic glass roof.

The reason the new C5 Aircross is so effective against rough roads, Citroen says, lies in its suspension system. The brand has added progressive hydraulic cushions to its advanced comfort suspension, providing extra damping to mitigate the more extreme effects of compression and rebound when the car encounters bumps. The company describes the result as a “flying carpet” effect that preserves ride quality without sacrificing stability. This approach builds on Citroen’s longstanding tradition of prioritizing ride comfort, a hallmark of the brand since the days of the original 2CV and its successors.

Road testers noted a highly composed ride when driving on rough patches on routes near the Chilterns, with the suspension delivering minimal disruption even on severely uneven surfaces. Citroen emphasizes that the cushions work alongside traditional springs and dampers to smooth both small bumps and larger impacts, filtering out road irregularities for a relaxed driving experience.

On the road now, the C5 Aircross is offered in Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, and fully electric variants, with first deliveries slated for late December through early January. The range and drivetrains are designed to appeal to families seeking comfort without compromising practicality or performance.

Longer-term, Citroen also plans to extend the electric lineup with a Long Range version boasting more power and a larger range, signaling the brand’s continued push into the increasingly competitive electrified SUV segment. Consumers are advised to check available EV grants and in-house discounts when evaluating the plug-in options, and to verify the latest official specifications at the time of ordering.