By NAKAMPE LEKWADU
WHEN I was growing back in the late 1970s to 1980s, Citroën cars used to be odd-looking and eliciting scorn and curiosity at the same. Who would forget the concave front models and sharp-nosed models of the French automobile brand, and even more bizarre, the rear tyres appearing halfway under the car’s rear end?
Times have changed for the better, and Citroën has kept with the changing trends in automaking, producing useful and beautifully designed cars – from smaller models suitable for daily town commuting to midsize and larger models.
One of the good-looking newer models is the Citroen Aircross C5. The latest offering of the compact crossover SUV is an upgrade of the now popular model which was first introduced to the world in 2015 Shanghai Motor Show but waited two years before hitting the roads.
The new Citroën C5 Aircross shows off redesigned headlamps, which now have a dual-horizontal signature that feeds into the grille while the lower sections of the bumper feature functional air dams akin to other popular SUV models. All the lights now boast LED technology. The rear has not changed much apart from lighting benefitting from LED tech as well.
The C5 looks a little menacing standing on 18-inch rims across the range.
Derivative choice
There are two to choose from, the entry-level Feel and top of the range Shine. The Feel, though a more affordable option, is not shabby as far as specs are concerned as it is kitted with modern standards for comfortable, safe and luxury driving. These include Highway Driver Assist, a level 2 autonomous driving system; combining Adaptive Cruise Control with a Stop & Go function and the Active Lane Departure Warning system.
As far as performance is concerned, both C5 trims are driven by a 1,6-litre turbo-charged petrol engine producing 121 kW of power and 240 Nm of torque. The engine is paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels with fuel economy marked down to 7,9-litre/100km.
The Shine ups the game with a 10-inch repositioned central touchscreen infotainment measuring, with all the bells and whistles such as AUX port, Bluetooth, Android and Apple connectivity and more. There is also an optional panoramic sunroof. The Shine clears the ground at 230mm for seamless driving in different types of terrain.
Feel or Shine, Citroen has come a long way to offer competitive smart, modern driving in the compact SUV market. It’s worth trying out.
Pricing
Citroën C5 Aircross Feel R633 900
Citroën C5 Aircross Shine R683 900
