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CITROEN DS5 Review

OUR TEST CAR: CITROEN DS5 Hybrid4 2012

 
Take it or leave it
CITROEN DS5  - Page - 4
The mid-size car segment is the most mainstream one of them all, it's basically the closest one to the definition of the word "car". However, this also makes it vulnerable to the modern-day trends, which have seen crossovers gain popularity. After all, why would you buy a classic mid-size sedan when you can have all of its assets wrapped in a package that offers more?

However, there are special mid-size creations, which grab you by the hand and want to take you back to the segment. The Citroen DS5 is one of them and, in the hybrid form we drove, plays with both form and function to convince you.

We have to tell you that the on-paper specs of the DS5 Hybrid4 alone should allow salesmen to convince a customer. Just think about it: You've got diesel- not petrol-electric power, this also offers you four-wheel drive and the assets offered by this are all wrapped in a package that looks just like a nouvelle vague French fashion model.

These tech goodies bring a financial toll of at least EUR40,650, with this climbing to EUR42,750 in the case of our test car. The bump came from a list of features including 19-inch Cairns wheels, a safety lights package, a Blanc Nacre exterior finish and Claudia Sportlounge leather finish. We enjoyed all the aforementioned optional goodies, but we would've liked the leather to be perforated.

However, in the real world, the extra weight brought by the electric components of the hybrid system (about 150 kg), as well as the automated manual gearbox, mean that the vehicle is far from being dynamic. In addition, the on-scale figure neutralizes some of the efficiency.

Speaking of hybrid, we have to warn you about something. When you open the hood, you'll be assaulted with safety warning that will certainly manage to keep you away from the high-voltage orange components. However, the luggage compartment doesn't come with any warning at all.

Why would it need warnings? Because it offers access to a safety switch that cuts the high-voltage power. This is designed to be pulled in case of a crash, to minimize the risk of fire. However, not only is it not signaled, but once you pull its lever, the vehicle will be immobilized. You'll need to have the car lifted, not towed, in order to bring it to your Citroen dealer, where the system will be reset.

So, don't be childish like we were: we removed the carpet cover, as well as the rubber one, and pulled the handle, which resulted in a long wait to get the car going again. How long? Well, we had time to eat, drink, read, wait for the sun to fall for some special photos, and chat with the police, none of which were part of our test drive routine. The good side: it was the first time in our life when we were able to spot fireflies - they were probably attracted to the electric motor...

Back to the DS5 Hybrid4: if it's going fast that you're after, look elsewhere. And if you seek efficiency, you will only partially achieve this goal. However, if the word "cruising" describes your driving style, you can listen to your heart, which will probably fall in love with the styling cues of the DS5.
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65user rating 184 votes
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