Introduction to the 2025 Citroen e-C5 Aircross
Here we review the second generation of the Citroen C5 Aircross, a model that ultimately replaced the French brand's capacious C4 Picasso and Grand Picasso MPVs. Following an initial introduction in 2019, the C5 Aircross was updated in 2022 before this all-new version arrives on Irish shores in time for the “261” registration.
Now built on the Stellantis 'STLA Medium' platform that also underpins the Peugeot 3008 and 5008 siblings, along with the Opel Grandland, the C5 Aircross has been given a sharper exterior design than before and a much-improved interior.
It's slightly larger than its predecessor, with passenger space being one of the winners in that regard, and it's now available with a broader choice of powertrains, consisting of a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid and a fully electric model, called the e-C5 Aircross, that we're reviewing here.
As with the previous versions, this Citroen C5 Aircross places emphasis on comfort rather than any dynamic or sporty inclination. It sits in the mid-sized SUV segment that is a very densely populated section of the market, and goes up against well-known names including the Hyundai Tucson, Volkswagen Tiguan, Ford Kuga, Peugeot 3008, Skoda Kodiaq, BYD Seal U and the Toyota RAV4.
Pros & cons of the 2025 Citroen e-C5 Aircross
Pros: Roomy interior, battery range, comfort
Cons: No more individual rear seats, average performance
Exterior & design of the 2025 Citroen e-C5 Aircross
• 160mm longer than before
• A more modern look
• Contains nods to past models
From the outset, the Citroen e-C5 Aircross had its exterior design shaped by the need for efficient aerodynamics. That's not always so easy to achieve, especially when dealing with a large SUV shape, but the designers rose to the challenge, and the result is a car that has some similarities to its predecessor but clearly starts a new chapter of design.
The similarities start with an LED light signature that is a variation of what we have already seen on the smaller Citroen C3, C3 Aircross and the refreshed C4 and e-C4 X. The nose also carries the company's new logo that is actually a nod back to one it used decades ago.
The e-C5 Aircross is longer than its predecessor by 16 centimetres, with 6 centimetres of that in the wheelbase, resulting in more space for passengers. Subtle differences to the front bumper differentiate this electric version from the other C5 Aircross models.
The exterior dimensions for the Citroen e-C5 Aircross are:
Length: 4,652mm
Width: 1,936mm (2,198mm including mirrors)
Height: 1,688mm (with roof bars)
Wheelbase: 2,794mm
Details such as the cuts in the tops of the wheelarch cladding and the scalloped leading edges of the front doors are all about helping the Citroen cut through the air more cleanly. However, unlike some other car makers, Citroen sticks with conventional door mirrors and door handles rather than ones that sit flush with the bodywork.
One of the more interesting features of the Aircross's exterior is the design of its rear lights. Citroen's designers nicknamed these 'Light Wings' due to their shape, jutting out from the rear pillars to form a channel of sorts for air to pass through. Other details around the C-pillar are those small fins that are a sort of throwback to the Citroen BX.
Interior, practicality, tech & safety of the 2025 Citroen e-C5 Aircross
• Big 651-litre boot
• Plenty of head- and legroom
• No seven-seat option
A big selling point of the e-C5 Aircross is the focus on comfort, and that extends to the interior, which Citroen's designers have tried to make feel more like your lounge or sitting room at home than just a car.
That starts with the materials and layout. Its dashboard is topped by a full-width ventilation panel with 90-degree vents on either end. Ambient light shines downwards from this onto a curved fabric fascia that extends into the doors.
The latest take on the brand's 'Advanced Comfort' seats isn't as plush feeling as we've experienced in other Citroen models. The headrests are especially firm. Buyers can opt for both seat heating and cooling ventilation and even a massaging function to take the strain out of longer journeys or after a tough day at work.
Greeting the driver is a squarish steering wheel with the two-spar design that houses large haptic touchpads laid out in an easy-to-use way. Ahead of that is a digital instrument screen with a bright, clear graphical layout - and our test car was also equipped with a colour head-up display.
The C5 Aircross's 13-inch portrait-style touchscreen display is the largest fitted to a Citroen to date. It forms part of a single unit that flows downwards, curving into the centre console. It's an attractive design by today's standards and the menu system for the infotainment is easy to navigate.
Cabin temperature controls are permanently shown on the lower portion of the screen and, while this isn't as good a solution as physical buttons, the fact that an above-average amount of the display is given over to these is a good compromise.
There are proper buttons below the display for some of the climate controls and window clearing, while the chunky roller for the volume has a chevron texture that's a nod to the company's logo. A faint logo pattern is repeated through the console's high-gloss black material, which may make it less prone to scratching and swirl marks.
Housed within the centre console is a wireless phone charging pad, small cup holder, electronic parking brake, drive-mode selector and drive selector, which takes the form of an inset rocker switch. Behind and below the console is a storage area with two large cupholders, space for a small bag and additional power ports, including a 12-volt socket and USB-C charge port.
The central armrest contains a butterfly opening to access a deeper storage unit between the front seats.
Owners or those with experience of the previous C5 Aircross will notice that there are no longer three individual seats in the rear, something that was a unique aspect of the model. Citroen says it was no longer possible to accommodate this function on the new platform. Nevertheless, there is a satisfactory level of passenger space in the rear, irrespective of powertrain.
The overall increase in size translates into a 51mm increase for knee space in the rear, and it is noticeable as soon as you sit in. Both outer rear seats are comfortable and can be reclined between 21 and 33 degrees, boosting headroom to as much as 68mm more than the previous C5 Aircross.
Cargo capacity in the boot is uncompromised by powertrain choice, so whichever version of the C5 Aircross you go for, there's 651 litres available and as much as 1,985 litres when folding the rear seats forward. An underfloor area is handy for separating charging cables or other items from the main boot area.
Performance of the 2025 Citroen e-C5 Aircross
• Decent 520-kilometre range
• Very comfortable ride quality
• Smooth power delivery
For all of Citroen's efforts to make the e-C5 Aircross look and feel comfortable inside, it's when you get out on the road that you truly begin to appreciate it. The 'Progressive Hydraulic Cushion' suspension does a comprehensive job at managing smoothness and shock absorbency.
There are no especially high-tech systems at play here, just a special type of shock absorber that manages how bumps are dealt with, resulting in a comfortable experience for driver and passengers.
On a straight section of road, the Citroen floats along well, demonstrating a sort of suppleness that is so often missing in larger SUVs these days as others chase an impression of more sporty or dynamic handling.
Citroen is unapologetically not doing that with the e-C5 Aircross, instead delivering a setup that is nothing short of serene on some sections of road.
Show it a series of bends and it doesn't all fall apart either. Yes, there is body lean, but it's well managed and arrives in a predictable way to tell you what the vehicle is doing rather than asking you to fight it or back off. It's still more than capable of covering ground at speed and the steering is evenly balanced.
Having an electric powertrain naturally makes the driving experience a quieter one. There's plenty of sound-insulating materials inside to further this, including thicker glass in the front section, making long journeys more relaxing thanks to the reduction in noise.
Long trips should be easy, too, thanks to the battery range, which in the standard guise is still a respectable 520 kilometres. That's with the 'Comfort Range' battery as Citroen refers to it, which is a 73.7kWh pack and ought to be more than enough for most drivers.
Citroen will offer a 'Long Range' version with a 680-kilometre driving range from a 97kWh battery, but it almost seems unnecessary. Despite that generous range, the Citroen makes do with a 100kW peak DC charge rate, but it will still go from 20 to 80 per cent in 30 minutes at that.
Speed isn't a priority for the e-C5 Aircross on the road either, though its 210hp peak power is fine for everyday driving. It's actually refreshing not to have neck-snapping acceleration on hand, though it feels brisker than the 9.4-second 0-100km/h sprint suggests.
Clearly, though, this is a car more about comfort than anything else, and for the most part, this has been executed very well in this new generation.
Running costs of the 2025 Citroen e-C5 Aircross
• Cheap motor tax like all EVs
• Can better its official 17.1kWh/100km at times
• Smartphone app for remote access
We found the e-C5 Aircross to be a reasonably energy-efficient car, and the clever aerodynamics play a role in this, with a combined energy consumption figure of 17.1kWh/100km.
In some settings, such as urban environments, we saw the trip computer return a better figure than this, which bodes well for longer-term use.
So long as you can charge it at home, the Citroen should be a low-cost vehicle to operate, and neat features such as scheduled charging periods to maximise cheaper night rates from your energy provider are useful.
Remote access via the Citroen smartphone app is convenient for checking charge status or activating the cabin climate controls while it's still plugged in, so you don't need to eat into the car's battery to heat or cool the cabin before you set off.
Irish pricing & rivals of the 2025 Citroen e-C5 Aircross
• Pricing still to be confirmed
• Potential eight-year warranty
• Roomier than many rivals
The Citroen e-C5 Aircross price in Ireland is still being finalised and is due to be announced later this year. Citroen plans to offer the Comfort Range version first and this will be followed up by the Long Range model, though we expect that to carry a price premium on account of the battery size.
Citroen Ireland is also mulling the potential of an eight-year warranty that will in part be service-activated, though this is yet to be finalised. If that does come into effect, it would serve as further peace of mind for buyers who may plan on keeping their car for longer.
Verdict - should you buy the 2025 Citroen e-C5 Aircross?
If you want the feeling of a luxury car but don't want the high cost of entry to such a brand, then the Citroen e-C5 Aircross is worthy of your consideration. On a practical level, it scores highly, with generous passenger space and a decent boot volume, but more importantly, it's very pleasant to drive with the electric powertrain being the better option to go for from a driving and handling perspective.
FAQs about the 2025 Citroen e-C5 Aircross
Is there an all-wheel-drive version of the Citroen C5 Aircross?
No, the Citroen e-C5 Aircross only comes with front-wheel drive for now. It is very much an SUV that's designed for on-road use, but it does have a useful 190 millimetres of ground clearance.
Can I tow with the Citroen C5 Aircross?
Yes, all versions of the second-generation C5 Aircross can tow, but the amount varies between powertrains. The hybrid version can tow 600kg unbraked and 1,200kg braked. Both electric versions can tow 600kg unbraked, with the Long Range being able to tow 1,200kg braked, while the Comfort Range can tow 1,250kg braked. The plug-in hybrid has the best towing capacity with 600kg unbraked and 1,550kg braked.
Want to know more about the Citroen e-C5 Aircross?
Is there anything else you'd like to know about the Citroen e-C5 Aircross? Or anything you feel we haven't covered here? Then just head over to our Ask Us Anything section and, well, ask us anything.
