CITROEN ZX 5 Doors Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Citroen refreshed the ZX lineup for the last time in 1996, and the five-door version was still the main selling version of the compact-segment vehicle.

Even after six years on the market, the ZX was appealing to the customers, but its design started to pale away as the bio-design trend started to get more and more followers. The Golf was the car to beat, and Opel was also among the sales winners. Then, Citroen made its last move and added some final touches that managed to keep the ZX image fresh.

While the car's front was still similar to the 1994 model, its overall look received a big boost by painting the door-handles and mirrors in body-color as the rest of the car. Most other vehicles on the market, including the Golf, had those elements black. Depending on the trim level, it featured fog lights. Just like the Opel/Vauxhall Astra, it showed three side windows in the five-door version, with a very raked-forward line for the last row.

The car was very advanced for its era and even had a sunroof, power windows, and standard power steering. Power windows and air conditioning were available; moreover, a radio-cassette player was fitted as standard from the second trim level up. Citroen introduced ABS and a driver airbag as standard features for upper trim levels to increase the safety factor.

Under the hood, Citroen installed a choice of six engines, both gasoline and diesel. The latter was available with a turbocharged version that provided 90 hp, which was the second-quickest version from ZX's lineup.

Introduced in 1990, the ZX replaced the older GS lineup and received a mid-life cycle update in 1994, which brought more powerful engines and a refreshed styling.

The French carmaker built the GSA in 1970, and the model was so successful that its parent didn't want to give up on it. It produced it until 1986, and finally, it decided to take it out from the assembly lines to make room for the BX. Thus, it left a gap in its lineup between the small-sized AX and the mid-size BX. There, it fitted the ZX in 1990.

By 1994, the more conventional hatchback ZX already showed its age, and Citroen didn't want to go on a fresh market with an old front fascia. It changed it and introduced bigger headlights and smoother lines. Its grille was narrow and sported the company's badge on a horizontal slat. Depending on the trim level, it featured fog lights. The car showed three side windows in the five-door version, with a very raked-forward line for the last row.

Inside, it offered good interior room for its size, while the instrument panel showed more gauges than most of its competitors. The dashboard sported curved lines and, depending on the options, a new stereo-cassette player on the center stack. In the back, the ZX five-doors offered enough room for two adults, but if three were seated there, they had to be very close friends.

Under the hood, Citroen offered four engines for the five-door ZX, including a turbo-diesel. For specific markets, the carmaker offered a 2.0-liter engine and a four-speed automatic transmission.

Citroen introduced the compact-segment ZX in 1991, five years after its predecessor's dismissal, the GSA, which was on the market since 1970.

The French carmaker introduced the ZX lineup to fill the gap between the small-sized AX and the mid-size model BX. For those times standards, the new hatchback was an appropriate answer for the Golf and, most importantly, the Renault 19 hatchback.

With a design signed by Bertone Studio, the ZX showed a fresh look, unlike any other Citroen. The new range also marked a departure from the BX's angular lines and an approach to the bio-design era, which was about to begin. The shaved edges and slightly softened corners gave a modern look to the compact hatchback. Its five-door version made it an excellent family vehicle, especially for young families.

Inside, the carmaker mounted a flat dashboard with a squared-looking instrument cluster. On the center stack, depending on the options, it installed a radio-cassette player, the climate control unit underneath, and the ashtray. On standard trim levels, the ZX featured cranked windows while the full-option models featured power-windows.

Citroen installed a wide range of diesel and gasoline engines paired as standard to a five-speed manual. For selected versions, it added a four-speed automatic on the options list. ZX's technical platform was very advanced for those times, with independent suspension in all corners and a torsion beam in the back. Moreover, the carmaker designed its own dampers when the parts suppliers couldn't offer something suitable.