Category: Large Family 
Price Range: £16,095 to £22,595
Comfortable, roomy, well-equipped with strong, smooth engines, especially the diesel; good value for money; five star NCAP crash test score
Nondescript side view, not as roomy in the back as it looks, can fidget over sharp-edged bumps, huge depreciation
Big, imposing, interesting Citroen, more striking since 2005 restyle
The C5 is bigger in all directions than the Xantia it replaced, especially in height - it's almost MPV-like with its high and almost flat floor, and wide, raked-back windscreen. The C5 features Citroen's hallmark hydro-pneumatic suspension, with automatic height adjustment according to speed and terrain, and continuous alteration of characteristics to suit driving styles. It's technically quite complex, with multiplex wiring allowing for features such as automatic window-closing when it rains, rain-sensing wipers and adaptive headlights which 'bend' around corners; in 2005, top-spec models gained gizmos including a lane-departure warning system, which vibrates the driver's seat if you drift over the white lines without indicating.
The 2005- new-look C5 is more striking-looking and even larger (12cm longer) than its predecessor, with equipment levels upgraded and suspension modified to meet earlier criticisms of ride comfort. Sound-proofing and insulation were improved too.
The engine line-up now consists of 1.6 HDI (110bhp), 2.0 HDI (138bhp) and 2.2 HDI (136bhp) diesels, and 1.8i (117bhp) and 2.0i (143bhp) petrols; the 3.0 V6 (210bhp) has now been discontinued. Spec levels are LX, sporty VTR and Exclusive, all models coming with seven airbags, traction control with ESP, an alarm and automatic air conditioning. With Citroen's usual deals, discounts and special offers in addition to competitive new list prices, the C5 is good value for money - and even better value if bought nearly-new or second-hand. An all-new version arrives spring 2008, however, so look for a big discount on the last of these 2005-2008 models.
