About the Citroën C5 Aircross

The Citroën C5 Aircross is a five-seat, five-door SUV that sits in the compact crossover segment alongside models such as the Peugeot 3008, Nissan Qashqai and Kia Sportage.

The current second-generation C5 Aircross arrived in the UK in 2025, bringing a redesigned exterior, a larger body, and an updated interior centred around a large touchscreen infotainment system. It is built on the Stellantis STLA Medium platform, which also underpins the Peugeot 3008 and Vauxhall Grandland.

Citroën positions the C5 Aircross as a comfort-focused SUV. All versions feature Advanced Comfort seats and suspension designed to provide a soft, composed ride. The cabin provides a spacious interior with practical passenger and luggage space.

Three powertrain types are available across the range: a petrol hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, and a fully electric version (the e-C5 Aircross). This means there is a C5 Aircross to suit drivers whether they want low running costs, electric-only commuting, or a fully zero-emission SUV.

Comfort and Interior

Comfort is central to the C5 Aircross design. Citroën fits every version with its Advanced Comfort seats, which use high-density foam and a structured frame designed to reduce fatigue on longer drives. This is paired with Advanced Comfort suspension a system using Progressive Hydraulic Cushions that smooths out road imperfections more effectively than a conventional setup. The result is a soft, composed ride that tends to suit drivers who prioritise relaxed cruising over sporty handling.

Inside, the cabin is built around a large 13-inch touchscreen on all trims, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The digital instrument display sits behind the steering wheel, and physical controls are kept for key functions such as climate. Higher trims add features like a head-up display, heated seats and steering wheel, and front seat massage making the Max specification feel closer to a premium SUV than its price suggests.

The C5 Aircross seats five. Rear passengers get a good amount of legroom for the segment, and the second row is a practical space for families with children in car seats. Rear doors open wide enough to make fitting child seats straightforward.

Boot Space and Practicality

The C5 Aircross offers a competitive boot for its class, with a wide, flat loading area and no significant load lip to lift heavy items over. With the rear seats in place, there is enough room for a family's weekly shop, pushchair or several large suitcases. Folding the rear seats extends the cargo area substantially for bulkier loads.

Exact boot capacity varies depending on the powertrain - the hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric versions each have slightly different figures due to battery placement. Check the specification on the individual deal listing for the precise boot volume of the version you are considering.

Day-to-day practicality is strong. There are useful storage spaces throughout the cabin, including a large central console area and door bins sized for bottles. The powered tailgate on Max trim is a practical addition for hands-full loading.

Citroën C5 Aircross Powertrains

The C5 Aircross is available with three powertrain options in the UK.

Hybrid - A 1.2-litre petrol engine with 48-volt hybrid technology and a six-speed automatic gearbox, producing 145 hp. It does not need to be plugged in. This is the entry point to the C5 Aircross range and is available across all three trim levels.

Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) - A 1.6-litre petrol engine combined with a larger electric motor and a 21 kWh battery, producing a combined 195 hp. Citroën quotes an electric-only driving range of up to 53 miles (WLTP), and CO2 emissions from 62 g/km. The battery can be fully recharged in under three hours using a 7.4 kW wallbox. The plug-in hybrid is available in Max trim only.

Fully Electric (e-C5 Aircross) - The all-electric version is offered with a choice of two battery sizes. The front-wheel-drive layout and available range make it a practical option for drivers ready to go fully electric.

Driving the C5 Aircross

The C5 Aircross is tuned for comfort rather than sporty driving. The soft suspension and light steering make it relaxed and easy to drive in town, and the automatic gearbox on all versions removes the need for manual gear changes in traffic.

Which powertrain suits you best depends on how you drive:

• Mostly urban or short commutes - The plug-in hybrid can cover up to 53 miles on electric power alone (WLTP), which may be enough for a daily commute without using any petrol. If you can charge at home or at work, running costs can be very low. The fully electric e-C5 Aircross removes petrol entirely.

• Mixed driving with regular motorway use - The hybrid is a practical choice. It does not need plugging in, and the electric motor assists the petrol engine to reduce fuel consumption, particularly in stop-start traffic.

• Primarily long-distance - The hybrid offers the simplest ownership experience for high-mileage drivers, with no charging to manage. The fully electric version with the larger battery may also suit long-distance use depending on your access to rapid charging.

All three powertrains are front-wheel drive. The C5 Aircross is not available with all-wheel drive.

Citroën C5 Aircross Trims

Equipment varies by trim and model year. The current range includes three main trim levels.

You - The entry-level trim. Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, Advanced Comfort seats and suspension, a 13-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, sat nav, a 10-inch digital instrument display, rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, and wireless phone charging. Available with the Hybrid and electric powertrains.

Plus - Adds 19-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, an 8-way adjustable driver's seat, ambient interior lighting, keyless entry and start, front parking sensors, and a 180-degree rear camera. Available with the Hybrid and electric powertrains.

Max - The top specification. Adds a 360-degree camera, an extended head-up display, heated front seats and steering wheel, a hands-free electric tailgate, front seat massage, and semi-autonomous driving features including lane-change assistance. This is the only trim available with the plug-in hybrid powertrain. Also available with the Hybrid and electric powertrains.

Leasing a Citroën C5 Aircross

The Citroën C5 Aircross is available to lease for both personal and business use through Car Leasing.

Personal lease (PCH) - Prices include VAT. You agree to a fixed monthly payment, choose your annual mileage and return the vehicle at the end of the contract.

Business lease (BCH) - Prices are shown excluding VAT. Available to VAT-registered businesses, sole traders, partnerships and limited companies. The plug-in hybrid and electric versions may be particularly relevant for business drivers looking to manage benefit-in-kind costs - speak to your accountant for guidance specific to your circumstances.

When choosing your C5 Aircross lease, the main variables that affect your monthly cost are:

• Powertrain - The hybrid is typically the most affordable entry point. The plug-in hybrid and electric versions carry higher list prices, which affects the monthly lease cost, but may offer savings on fuel and tax depending on how you drive.

• Contract length - Longer contracts (e.g. 48 months) generally result in lower monthly payments than shorter ones (e.g. 24 months), because the cost is spread over more months.

• Annual mileage - A higher mileage allowance increases the monthly cost. Choose a realistic figure - exceeding your agreed mileage at the end of the contract will incur excess mileage charges.

• Initial rental - A larger upfront payment reduces your monthly cost. The initial rental is not a deposit and is not refunded at the end of the lease.

Alternatives to the Citroën C5 Aircross

If you are considering the C5 Aircross, you may also want to compare lease deals on similar family SUVs:

• Peugeot 3008 - Built on the same Stellantis platform, with similar powertrain options including hybrid, PHEV and fully electric.

• Nissan Qashqai - A well-established compact SUV with mild-hybrid petrol power and a reputation for practicality.

• Kia Sportage - Available with hybrid and plug-in hybrid options, with generous standard equipment and a long warranty.

• Vauxhall Grandland - Another Stellantis stablemate, offered with hybrid and fully electric powertrains.

• Hyundai Tucson - A spacious family SUV with hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions available.

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