Category: Large Family 
Price Range: £16,095 to £27,295
Good-looking; well-equipped; option of conventional steel-spring suspension; improved handling; serene driving feel and quiet ride.
A relatively conservative and unadventurous Citroen; residual values may still be poor; poor reliability record of last C5.
One of the more appealing large saloons around - as long as the company is paying.
Used value experts are predicting much-improved residual values than those for the outgoing C5 - certain models are second only to comparable Volkswagen Passats, apparently - although some models will hold their value much better than others.
The V6, for example, will definitely not return two-thirds of its original new price after three years, as optimistically predicted for the mainstream four-cylinder diesels. Citroen's policy of substantial discounts, special offers and other buyer incentives may also bring down residual values further in the longer term.
The C5 is probably not much worse an investment than a Laguna, 407, Vectra/Insignia or even a much-loved Mondeo, however, as long as you opt for a decent specification (VTR+ is a good one to go for), a popular diesel engine (2.0 or 2.2) and a strong colour - and don't go mad on the options list. This car is best bought in its entry-level forms. Second-hand buyers will prefer the less complex steel-spring suspension and old-school handbrake, too.
