Citroen C5 AirCross Sport is priced from $54,990

CITROEN has priced its C5 AirCross Sport for the local market this week following the opening of expressions of interest for the model back in February.

Priced at $54,990 plus on-road costs, the updated and generously equipped solo C5 variant arrives Down Under with an upgraded engine and transmission combination.

Citroen’s 1.6-litre PureTech turbocharged petrol engine now delivers 133kW at 5500rpm (up 12kW) and 250Nm at 1650rpm in the C5 AirCross Sport, and is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission in place of the outgoing six-speed unit.

Fuel economy is listed at 5.7 litres per 100km on the ADR Combined cycle.

The model’s pricing will see it vie with more highly specified – and petrol-powered two-wheel drive – mainstream rivals in the Medium SUV segment, including the likes of the Ford Escape Vignale (from $48,590), Hyundai Tucson Highlander (from $46,900), Mazda CX-60 Evolve (from $59,800) and Toyota RAV4 Cruiser ($47,200). All prices are exclusive of on-road costs.

Citroen says the C5 AirCross Sport appears visually larger than its predecessor, bringing a new design language with more structured lines, a more modern fascia, and a raft of additional equipment.

The updated model adds a panoramic sunroof, LED headlights, DRLs and indicators, a functional aerodynamic air curtain, a new skid plate and revised tail-lights as standard. A cosmetic black pack featuring 19-inch alloy wheels, wing mirror covers, roof rails, roof, airbumps and fog light bezels is also available.

New Paloma Nappa leather trim is applied to the seats while the armrests and centre console are capped with a new black leather effect fabric. The dashboard also scores a structured black leather effect insert.

The cabin is finished in a Hype Black décor which features blue highlights on the seats and blue stitching on the dashboard, door cards, centre armrest and centre console.

Indeed, the centre console is something of a big deal in the revised C5 Aircross Sport. Citroen has remoulded and reworked the console to be larger and higher with a mix of black leather effect fabric enhanced by chrome design lines which it says, “underline a more ergonomic layout of controls”.

The console features a newly adopted e-Toggle gear selector and new driving mode selector incorporating the vehicle’s Grip Control function. There is also more storage space than before, two additional USB ports and a wireless device charging pad.

In the central dashboard, a 10.0-inch infotainment touchscreen replaces the previous 8.0-inch unit while the driver’s seat adopts a massage function and electric adjustment.

Cargo space is listed at an impressive 580 litres in five-seat mode, stretching to 1630 litres with the rear seats folded flat.

Crucially, the updated C5 Aircross Sport offers what Citroen says is a wide range of the latest-generation safety technologies, including highway driver assist with adaptive cruise control, Stop & Go functionality, and active lane departure warning.

The features join carryover technologies such as autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, speed limit recognition and recommendation, hill descent control, tyre pressure monitoring, anti-lock braking with EBA and EBD, automatic hazard light activation upon heavy braking and dynamic stability control.

The colour palette for the single-variant range is also refreshed with a “choice of premium materials reflecting greater comfort and quality”. Citroen will offer the C5 Aircross Sport locally in six paint colours: Polar White (NCO), Perla Nera Black, Platinum Grey, Steel Grey, Eclipse Blue (all $690) and Pearlescent White ($1050).

All Citroen passenger vehicles are offered with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and roadside assistance package, with capped-price servicing, pre-paid service plans and a guaranteed future value program available. Five years’ capped price servicing totals run to $2760 while pre-paid options are set at $1100 for three years or $2000 for five.

“We are delighted to welcome the refreshed C5 Aircross Sport to our local range. We are confident C5 Aircross Sport will appeal to both existing and new Citroen customers in Australia who have a keen eye for style and French flair,” said Citroen Australia managing director Kate Gillis.

“Not only will the refreshed design cues turn heads, but the inclusion of Citroën's signature Advanced Comfort philosophy certainly makes our latest SUV offering an attractive package for those wanting on-board peace of mind.”