New 2022 Citroen C5 X plug-in hybrid: details, specs, prices and video

This is Citroen’s new comfort-focused flagship model: the C5 X, available to order now in pure-petrol and plug-in hybrid form. The electrified version starts from just over £35,000, boasts a pure-electric driving range of 34 miles and is offered in three trim levels.

The car's design incorporates cues from many of the brand’s famous past models, such as the DS, CX, and XM saloons. Like the original DS, the C5 X’s long, wide bonnet and sloped rear create a sleek, coupe-like shape that set it apart from conventional plug-in hybrid SUVs rivals like the Ford Kuga, Hyundai Tucson and VW Tiguan.

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New Citroen C5 X plug-in hybrid: engine, electric range and performance

Power comes from a 1.6-litre petrol engine coupled to a 109bhp electric motor, fed by a 12.4kWh battery – the same powertrain found in the recently updated C5 Aircross SUV. Like its sister car, there’s 222bhp and 360Nm of torque on tap, while CO2 emissions stand at 30g/km. You also get the previously mentioned 34-mile electric range and a relatively low Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) company-car tax rating of 11%.

Performance figures for the C5 X have yet to be released, and neither have charging times for the hybrid variant. However, we expect a full top-up will take under two hours from a home wallbox or public point thanks to the car’s 7.4kW on-board charger. There are three driving modes – Electric, Hybrid and Sport – and you can also adjust the regenerative braking. An e-Save function allows battery range to be reserved for later in a journey.

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Interior, comfort and practicality

Citroen claims the C5 X will have "a passenger compartment worthy of a lounge area" with "unparalleled roominess". Beyond sheer interior space, the car should also feel very comfortable thanks to its 'Advanced Comfort' seats, which use special padding like a mattress topper and 15mm more padding than conventional seats for additional support on longer journeys.

In addition, 'Advanced Comfort' active suspension, which comes as standard on the plug-in C5 X, offers three modes to enhance the effectiveness of the Progressive Hydraulic Cushions that are standard on the rest of the range. The result, according to Citroen, is a “magic-carpet-like feeling” on the road.

The top-spec C5 X also comes with a new 12-inch high-definition infotainment touchscreen that, like the one in the Citroen e-C4 electric hatchback, has the heating and ventilation controls separated and sitting lower down on the clean, uncluttered dashboard. The infotainment setup can also receive over-the-air (OTA) updates, while there's wireless smartphone charging and phone mirroring, too.

The C5 X sits on the same mechanical platform as the C5 Aircross, which is also used for larger models in the Stellantis Group like the DS 9 and Peugeot 508 saloon and estate. But it has been tailored for the C5 X, which at 4,805mm, is longer than a 508, but with a slightly shorter wheelbase of 2,785mm.

The plug-in hybrid C5 X also boasts 485 litres of boot space with the seats up – 60 litres less than the petrol-only version, and 115 litres less than the plug-in C5 Aircross. However, there's a sizable 1,580-litre load capacity when you fold the rear seats down.

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Prices, trim levels and equipment

Entry-level Sense Plus cars (priced from £35,190) come with LED headlights, 19-inch alloy wheels, a 10-inch central touchscreen with 3D navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera as standard.

All C5 X Hybrids also feature an ‘acoustically insulated’ windscreen aimed at reducing road noise in the cabin, a 'frameless' rear-view mirror with electrochrome dimming, part-leather-effect Advanced Comfort seats and the Advanced Comfort Active Suspension setup.

Upgrading to Shine trim (from £36,690) adds the larger 12-inch infotainment touchscreen, a head-up display, wireless smartphone charging, black and grey leather-effect upholstery for the Advanced Comfort seats and a heated steering wheel.

The range-topping Shine Plus (from £38,680) gets black leather, heated Advanced Comfort seats, acoustically isolated front and rear windows, a powered tailgate and additional safety systems like blind-spot detection and a 360-degree reversing camera.