Comfortably numb

CAPABLE AND LIKEABLE: The Citroen C5 Aircross PHEV Max

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THE midsize SUV class is booming right now but the C5 Aircross has become a stagnant choice of late, having been on sale since 2018. So Citroen has released the second-generation, which is bang up-to-date with the competition.

WHAT'S NEW?

It's all new and sits on Stellantis’s STLA-M Platform, which is shared with the Peugeot 3008, Peugeot 5008 and Vauxhall Grandland.

It's available with a plethora of powertrains to suit different buyers, comes with a tech-focused interior, and has one of the largest boots in its class - or so Citroen claims.

There are air deflectors and inlets around the exterior to help with aerodynamics and efficiency.

It is also bigger, more practical and better equipped, with a choice of three trim levels on offer too.

UNDER THE BONNET

We're driving the plugin hybrid, with a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine mated to an electric motor and 21kWh battery that produces a total of 192bhp and 418Nm of torque. Going 0-60mph takes 8.1 seconds and the top speed is 137mph. Citroen says the car can travel up to 53 miles on electric, and it has a combined fuel consumption figure of up to 87.1mpg - although these figures are a little optimistic.