Citroën C5 X long-term test: report 4

The C5 X channels the style and comfort of Citroëns of old, but how does it stack up against its estate-car rivals? We're running one to find out...

Citroen C5 X rear cornering shot

The car Citroën C5 X 1.2 Puretech 130 Shine Plus Run by Mark Pearson, used cars editor

Why it’s here The distinctive C5 X seems to offer something different in the estate car class, with a set-up that prioritises comfort over sporty handling. We want to see if it can cut the mustard in real-world use

Needs to Prove It’s more than just a pretty face. It’ll need to dispatch commuting, work and family life with flair and cope with a wide variety of everyday duties 


Miles covered 5405 Price £32,160 Target price £29,982 Price as tested £31,930 Official economy 48.6mpg Test economy 35.7mpg 


20 February – The key to a happy relationship

The warning signs were there. I noticed that the keyless entry system on my C5 X had begun to work only half the time. Then, one lunchtime, as I was dashing about on errands, I noticed a message flash up telling me to replace the car key’s battery. Sure enough, when I had finished my shopping the key was quite dead, and I was locked out of my car.

Citroen C5 X broken car key

Purchasing and fitting a new battery did nothing so, not knowing what to do next, I phoned for breakdown assistance. It appeared my key had gone out of sync, either as a result of having the new battery put in it or, the RAC patrol man informed me, possibly as a result of radio waves in the nearby supermarket interfering with my key’s signal. 

Citroen C5 X with RAC van

Syncing it again merely required manually unlocking the door via a keyhole hidden on the passenger side with a key that folded out from the fob. I’ll know next time.

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