Citroen C5 Tourer (2008-) Review

On the road

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We like the view presented to the driver in the Citroen C5 Tourer: there are Mercedes-like instrument dials, with needles at the periphery and information displays in the inner circle, and Citroen's steering wheel with a central hub, as in the C4.

The driving position is good, with most versions having electrically adjustable front seats (squashy or sportily bolstered, depending on the trim level chosen). Entry-level SX versions have a conventional handbrake - arguably preferable to the automatically releasing electronic parking brake in upper-spec models.

The SX and VTR+ models (except those with 2.2 HDI engine and auto gearbox) also get the steel-spring suspension: this gives a tauter ride, with more direct-feeling steering and sharper, more agile handling, making for a sportier driving experience than the Hydractive 3 float-on-fluid set-up. Cars with this are prone to undulating and vaguer steering, even in Sport mode.

The V6 diesel engine (208bhp, 325lb-ft of torque) is predictably quick, as well as being ultra-smooth and refined - this engine is also supplied to Jaguar, so it's suitably sophisticated. It's fitted in combination with a six-speed automatic gearbox (not the quickest-acting, but responsive enough for calm cruising) and the entire package is impressively quiet and upmarket. The thing is, who wants to spend £25,495 on a C5?

The twin-turbo 2.2 HDI (173bhp, 273lb-ft) is more real-world, but in truth, the familiar 138bhp 2.0 HDI is absolutely adequate and there's no need to spend more on any other version. It's available with the steel-spring suspension, too. The 2.0i petrol model stands up well, too, for buyers on more of a budget; it's not super-quick, and won't make for a strong towing vehicle, but it is capable at motorway speeds.