Whether you consider the new 2023 Citroen C5 X to be a wagon, SUV or otherwise, it offers a pretty simple choice when it comes to spec.
There’s just the one version of the new large Citroen family car at launch – it’s known as the C5 X Shine, and has a list price of $57,670 before on-road costs.
While the new model launches as a single variant in 2022, the brand will add a plug-in hybrid version of the C5 X in the second half of 2023 – expect it to cost more, but it’ll also have some additional gear and powertrain trickery.
The Citroen C5 X Shine grade launching now, though, comes decently equipped when it comes to standard gear.
Standard are 19-inch wheels, LED headlights and daytime running lights, LED tail-lights, LED fog-lights, roof bars, two-tone paint finish with a black roof, leather interior trim, electric front seat adjustment, heated front seats, a sunroof, keyless entry and start, and sat nav with a standard three-year online subscription so your maps will stay up to date. You can extend up to six years, or you can use the integrated Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
The screens are a 12.0-inch touchscreen for multimedia, and there’s a 7.0-inch driver information screen and a head-up display as well. There are four USB-C ports (two front, two rear), an auto-dimming rearview mirror, front and rear floor mats, and a space-saver spare wheel.
Safety tech includes auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, active lane positioning assistance, “extended range” blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control with speed sign adjustment, and the C5 X debuts rear cross-traffic alert for the French brand.
It also comes with parking sensors front and rear, and a 360 degree view camera. The C5 X doesn’t have a front centre airbag like some new rivals, though it does have dual front, side and curtain airbags fitted. There is no ANCAP rating or Euro NCAP score for this car.
Powering the C5 X is a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, familiar from other Peugeot-Citroen models. In this application, it has power outputs of 133kW of power and 250Nm of torque, which are quite low outputs for a vehicle measuring more than 4800mm long. Despite some SUV pretences, the C5 X is 2WD (front-wheel drive) only, and runs a standard-fit eight-speed automatic transmission sourced from Japanese manufacturer Aisin. Citroen has official combined cycle fuel consumption stated at 6.0 litres per 100 kilometres.
The PHEV version of the C5 X combines a 1.6L turbo-petrol engine and an 81kW electric motor, for a combined output of 168kW of power and 360Nm of torque. It still feeds all the power through the front wheels. Battery capacity is 13kWh, with electric driving range stated at about 50km. It can be charged from a wall box from 0-100 per cent in “less than two hours” on a Type 2 cable via a 7.4kW onboard charger, or you can plug in to a standard wall socket for a charge in “eight hours, or overnight”.
Fuel consumption for the PHEV model is stated at just 1.2L/100km – or one-fifth of the fuel use of the petrol version.
With its price and positioning placing the C5 X somewhat on its own in the market, competitors could be considered to be scarce. But if you look at similar-sized wagon-like models at this sort of price point, you’ll find rivals like the high-spec Subaru Outback XT turbo (from $55,990), Audi A4 Allroad (from $75,200), Peugeot 508 Sportswagon (from $65,657), or Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake 140TSI at $65,640.
The colour palette includes the following colours: Magnetic Blue metallic is the only no-cost paint option, while Steel Grey, Platinum Grey, Amazonite Grey and Nera Black are all priced at $690. Pearl White paint is the most expensive option ($1050).
Citroen C5 X pricing (MSRP)
| Variant | Price |
| Shine | $57,670 |
Keyword: Is this Europe's answer to the Subaru Outback? Citroen C5 X 2023 pricing and specs revealed!