Citroen C5 Tourer

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Citroen C5 Tourer Overall verdict

8_/10

This isn’t quite the awesome load lugger that we were expecting and hoping for from Citroen. The saloon is certainly the C5 to go for, because the estate isn’t quite as big as you’d want, or as comfortable.

Additional Info

The last version of this was more boring than John Major on a rainy beach. This one hardly raises things to Keira Knightley levels, but one step at a time…
Top Gear wildcard

The 2.0 HDi is all the diesel power you’ll ever need – certainly don’t bother stretching yourself to the 3.0 V6 diesel

What is it?

The biggest weakness the C5 has is the steering. It’s not what you’d call direct. But don’t think of this as a sports car and you won’t be entirely disappointed. Yes it’s soft, but at least it doesn’t fire you into the nearest hedge.

Driving

French cars are normally all about the comfort, but the C5 Tourer doesn’t quite cut it. The Hydractive suspension (otional on most models) doesn’t absorb as many bumps as you’d expect, nor do the ordinary springs.

On the inside

Three engines on offer - 1.6, 2.0 litre and 3.0 litre V6 diesels. The poverty-spec oil-burning 1.6 wheezes to 62mph in 11.9 seconds, by which time you'll become bored. It offers 56.5mpg, but upgrade to the 2.0 HDI (manual) and you'll get 160bhp and 53.3mpg, and a 0-62mph time of 9.3 seconds. V6 packs 240bhp, which is pleasant.

Owning

Citroen is in a rather mixed position here. Some of its cars are cool (we’re thinking C6), but then others just aren’t. The C5 is in the middle ground, but the fashionable new Tourer moniker doesn’t help.

What do you think?

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