autoevolution
 

Body style: Hatchback
Segment: Compact
Production years: 1996, 1997, 1998

CITROEN Saxo 5 doors 1996-1998
CITROEN Saxo 5 doors (1996-1998)

Based entirely on the Peugeot 106, the 1996 Citroen Saxo was a small-segment vehicle built in large numbers, in three and five doors versions.

After years of weak presence in Europe on the small market, the Saxo came up and saved the day. Even though it was the same vehicle as its sibling brother, the Peugeot 106, the Saxo had better success. Interestingly, the 106 was based on the previous Citroen AX, which was developed to be a Talbot, but never made it to the production version. The 1996 Saxo styling made it more appealing to the younger generation.

Its front fascia featured rectangular headlights, with separate, clear turn signals mounted on the corners. The grille featured two narrow horizontal gaps to help to cool the engine. Citroen learned the hard way what a completely masked grille did to a water-cooled engine on the previous non-facelifted AX. On its sides, the five-door version featured black door-handles and mirrors. The carmaker showed the trim level on the front door's black plastic molding, which protected the bodywork from parking door-scratches.

The interior had a wide range of options. It didn't even have central locking for the base version, but there were bucket seats, air conditioning, and nice stereo systems on the top models. In the rear, the carmaker mounted a folding bench to expand the otherwise small trunk from 280 liters (9.9 cu-ft) to 953 liters (33.6 cu-ft).

In the five-door version, the Saxo offered a choice of four engines, gasoline or diesel. All versions were paired to a five-speed manual, and the 1.6-liter version was available with a three-speed automatic gearbox.

CITROEN Saxo 5 doors 1996, 1997, 1998
  3 gasoline engines
  • 1.1i 5MT FWD (60 HP)
  • 1.4i 5MT FWD (75 HP)
  • 1.6i 3AT FWD (90 HP)
  1 diesel engine
  • 1.5 D 5MT FWD (58 HP)

CITROEN Saxo 5 doors
1.1i 5MT FWD (60 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 1.1i 5MT FWD (60 HP)
Cylinders:L4
Displacement:1124 cm3
Power:44 KW @ 6200 RPM
60 HP @ 6200 RPM
59 BHP @ 6200 RPM
Torque:65 lb-ft @ 3800 RPM
88 Nm @ 3800 RPM
Fuel System:Monopoint Injection
Fuel:Gasoline
Fuel capacity:11.9 gallons (45.0 L)
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:100.7 mph (162 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):15.3 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Front Wheel Drive
Gearbox:5-Speed manual
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Discs
Rear:Drums
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:155/70 TR13
DIMENSIONS
Length:146.5 in (3721 mm)
Width:63 in (1600 mm)
Height:54.3 in (1379 mm)
Front/rear Track:54.3/51.2 in (1,379/1,300 mm)
Wheelbase:93.7 in (2380 mm)
Ground Clearance:4.7 in (119 mm)
Cargo Volume:9.8 cuFT (278 L)
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:1763.7 lbs (800 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:2932.1 lbs (1330 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
City:26.4 mpg US (8.9 L/100Km)
Highway:43.6 mpg US (5.4 L/100Km)
Combined:35.1 mpg US (6.7 L/100Km)

CITROEN Saxo 5 doors
1.4i 5MT FWD (75 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 1.4i 5MT FWD (75 HP)
Cylinders:L4
Displacement:1360 cm3
Power:55 KW @ 5500 RPM
75 HP @ 5500 RPM
74 BHP @ 5500 RPM
Torque:82 lb-ft @ 3400 RPM
111 Nm @ 3400 RPM
Fuel System:Multipoint Injection
Fuel:Gasoline
Fuel capacity:11.9 gallons (45.0 L)
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:108.7 mph (175 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):12.9 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Front Wheel Drive
Gearbox:5-Speed manual
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Discs
Rear:Drums
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:155/70 TR13
DIMENSIONS
Length:146.5 in (3721 mm)
Width:63 in (1600 mm)
Height:54.3 in (1379 mm)
Front/rear Track:54.3/51.2 in (1,379/1,300 mm)
Wheelbase:93.7 in (2380 mm)
Ground Clearance:4.7 in (119 mm)
Cargo Volume:9.8 cuFT (278 L)
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:1840.9 lbs (835 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:2954.2 lbs (1340 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
City:24.8 mpg US (9.5 L/100Km)
Highway:43.6 mpg US (5.4 L/100Km)
Combined:34.1 mpg US (6.9 L/100Km)

CITROEN Saxo 5 doors
1.6i 3AT FWD (90 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 1.6i 3AT FWD (90 HP)
Cylinders:L4
Displacement:1587 cm3
Power:66 KW @ 5600 RPM
90 HP @ 5600 RPM
89 BHP @ 5600 RPM
Torque:100 lb-ft @ 3000 RPM
135 Nm @ 3000 RPM
Fuel System:Multipoint Injection
Fuel:Gasoline
Fuel capacity:11.9 gallons (45.0 L)
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:109.4 mph (176 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):12.5 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Front Wheel Drive
Gearbox:3-speed automatic
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Discs
Rear:Drums
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:165/65 TR14
DIMENSIONS
Length:146.5 in (3721 mm)
Width:63 in (1600 mm)
Height:54.3 in (1379 mm)
Front/rear Track:54.3/51.2 in (1,379/1,300 mm)
Wheelbase:93.7 in (2380 mm)
Ground Clearance:4.7 in (119 mm)
Cargo Volume:9.8 cuFT (278 L)
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:2039.3 lbs (925 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:3086.5 lbs (1400 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
Combined:30.9 mpg US (7.6 L/100Km)

CITROEN Saxo 5 doors
1.5 D 5MT FWD (58 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 1.5 D 5MT FWD (58 HP)
Cylinders:L4
Displacement:1527 cm3
Power:43 KW @ 5000 RPM
58 HP @ 5000 RPM
58 BHP @ 5000 RPM
Torque:70 lb-ft @ 2250 RPM
95 Nm @ 2250 RPM
Fuel System:Indirect Injection
Fuel:Diesel
Fuel capacity:11.9 gallons (45.0 L)
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:98.2 mph (158 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):18.3 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Front Wheel Drive
Gearbox:5-Speed manual
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Discs
Rear:Drums
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:165/70TR13
DIMENSIONS
Length:146.5 in (3721 mm)
Width:63 in (1600 mm)
Height:54.3 in (1379 mm)
Front/rear Track:54.3/51.2 in (1,379/1,300 mm)
Wheelbase:93.7 in (2380 mm)
Ground Clearance:4.7 in (119 mm)
Cargo Volume:9.8 cuFT (278 L)
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:1951.1 lbs (885 kg)
Gross Weight Limit:3064.4 lbs (1390 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
City:34.1 mpg US (6.9 L/100Km)
Highway:54.7 mpg US (4.3 L/100Km)
Combined:44.4 mpg US (5.3 L/100Km)
  report a mistake on this page