Comfortably numb

WHAT SECOND-GENERATION C5 AIRCROSS LACKS IN HANDLING FEEL IT MORE THAN MAKES UP FOR IN RIDE QUALITY AND FAMILY-FRIENDLY FEATURES

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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.