Citroen C5 X review

The C5 X starts at £28,236 for the 1.2-litre 128bhp engine and eight-speed autobox, the 1.2-litre 48V mild hybrid starts from £32,240, and the 1.6-litre PHEV starts from £39,900. Worth noting, however, that both hybrids require you to step up a trim level. More on those trims in a bit.

On lease, you’re looking at £385, £400 and £675 a month on a four-year term with £5,000 down and 10,000-mile yearly limit, through Citroen’s own finance scheme. 

Given the lack of clear rivals it’s difficult to consider its price in context, but given a Skoda Superb Estate starts from around £36k, a Genesis G70 Shooting Brake from £43k, and a VW Arteon Shooting Brake from around £44k, it seems well judged. And that’s before you get into the very many crossovers in the same price bracket.

OK, talk kit to me...

There are four trims available: You!, Plus, Max and Hypnos. But the base spec C5 X still gets 19in wheels, a 10in touchscreen, front and rear parking sensors, heated folding door mirrors, and tinted rear windows.

Plus trim nets you some chrome trim exterior details, keyless entry, interior LED lighting, head-up display, a 12in touchscreen, and wireless charging, while Max adds some extra detailing to the rear quarter panel windows, heated front seats, aluminium door sills and pedals, 360-degree camera, and electric tailgate.

Top of the range Hypnos trim gets an exclusive blue paintjob, panoramic roof, black alloy wheels, red exterior detailing, nicer cabin trim, massaging and ventilated seats, upgraded hi-fi… basically all the bells'n'whistles.

What's the best spec to go for?

We found the 1.2-litre to be pretty good, but on paper (and we’ll reserve final judgement until we’ve driven it), the mild hybrid looks the powertrain to go for, in Plus trim, which comes well kitted enough to keep most people happy.  

Only you know whether the PHEV suits your use case, but if you’re doing frequent long journeys it’s hard to justify. It's £7k more than the mild hybrid in both Plus and Max trims, and you’re only going to recoup that extra expenditure if you’re only driving 20-30 miles a day and can recharge at home or at work.