CITROEN C5 Aircross Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

With a rising demand for SUVs and crossovers, Citroen had to find a solution and offer one on the market before being pushed away by competition, and the result was the C5 Aircross.

While it wasn't the first crossover built by Citroen, it was one of the most important for it. Not only that, it was the largest in its family. It also shared its platform with the Peugeot 3008 and a utility vehicle. Due to that, it was initially offered exclusively with a front-wheel drive system, and only after a hybrid version came on the market was it available with an all-wheel drive.

The car's exterior showed a different appearance than the rest of Citroen's range. The front fascia featured a horizontal slat that made a clear distinction between the daytime running lights and the headlights. In the middle, the "double-chevron" badge was tall, taking a bit from the hood's lower edge. With its raised greenhouse that resembled an SUV, the C5 Aircross tried to impress customers.

Inside, the automaker created a roomy cabin with enough room for five adults. Since there was no transmission toward the rear axle, the floor was flat enough to provide room for three occupants in the back. At the front, the two bucket seats were separated by a tall center console. Citroen installed an 8" touchscreen atop the center stack for the infotainment unit, while the driver benefited from a wide 12.3" TFT for the instrument panel.

Under the hood, the French automaker installed a choice of turbocharged gasoline and diesel engines. A hybrid version was introduced later on and finally provided an all-wheel drive system.