Review of the new Citroen C5 HDI

Diesel isn't for everyone. Some motorists would never countenance trading their free-revving petrol engines for a powerplant that sups from the black pump but by the same token, there are those who swear by the stuff. The UK is fast catching up with Europe where diesel has been massively popular for years. It's the fleet sector that has led the way over here with its high mileage drivers proving ideal candidates for diesel's superior economy and low emissions. In fact, when you think about it, it's hardly surprising that a French car aimed predominantly at the company car market is as big on diesel as Citroen's C5 turns out to be.

Citroen's HDi diesel engines have gained a strong reputation with UK buyers. They're offered across this manufacturer's Mondeo-sized C5 model range in 110, 160 and 240bhp forms and have been consistently strong sellers. It was no coincidence that BMW turned to Citroen and its sister firm Peugeot when it needed a partner to build small diesel engines for its MINI range.

The C5 is Citroen's entrant in the medium range family car market. It's conforms to the sector's usual formula of front-wheel-drive saloons and estates offered in a wide range of trim levels predominantly with four-cylinder engines but with a six-cylinder range-topper. Its rivals include models like the Vauxhall Insignia, Ford Mondeo and Renault Laguna and a large part of its sales come from fleets and company car user choosers.

A key area where the C5 differs from its rivals in the medium range family car market is in its two different suspension systems. Entry-level models get conventional steel springs while the higher spec models use Citroen's Hydractive 3+ hydropneumatic system. The difference between the two isn't vast. The C5 is set-up to produce a comfortable ride first and foremost and regardless of what's providing the cushioning, it largely succeeds. This is a formidable motorway car which cruises effortlessly and drives in a relaxed fashion thanks to the strong torque of the diesel engines. Refinement is also very good even with the smallest oil-burner installed. The Hydractive 3+ is superb at ironing out minor imperfections and tackling speed humps.

"Citroen knows its customers and it's no surprise that diesel engines outnumber petrols two to one in its C5 range."

Less impressive is the way the C5 handles. Its light steering and less than adroit gearchange don't invite you to press on and cornering too briskly provokes quite a high degree of body roll. While the likes of Ford's Mondeo and the Mazda6 can really entertain if you hurry them along a twisty road, the C5 encourages more sedate progress and excels if you follow its lead. Still, the 160bhp 2.0-litre HDi unit that most will choose is reasonable quick - rest to sixty occupying 9.1s on the way to 130mph.

This C5 is one of the biggest in its class. The saloon is fractionally longer than its Ford Mondeo equivalent and almost as wide, with the Tourer estate measuring in with an extra 5cm of length. Citroen has paid particular attention to soundproofing in the cabin, fitting laminated side windows and an acoustic windscreen to supplement the absorbent body and roof linings that were developed for the larger C6. It all helps create the hushed cabin environment that's one of this car's standout features.

The interior sets out to mirror the high quality feel of the C6 and although the centre console looks a little overloaded with buttons, the clean lines of the fascia and the chrome detailing create an upmarket effect. Citroen is well known for including high levels of gadgetry in its vehicles and a further cluster of controls on the fixed-hub steering wheel will help the driver access the more important features without diverting attention from the road.

Space for rear seat passengers is helped by the flat floor which frees-up foot room. Go for the Tourer estate and the 439 litres of bootspace offered by the saloon rises to 505 litres with all the seats in place and nearly 1500 litres with the seats flat folded. When placing heavy items into the car, a button located on the rear lowers or raises the car's suspension, bringing the boot floor to a more convenient height. Simply closing the tailgate automatically returns the rear suspension to the correct level.

It's the C5 diesel range we're concentrating on here and that means a choice of no fewer than four engines. The range kicks off with the 1.6-litre unit that's used extensively across the Citroen range. It's a 110bhp engine that takes a lengthy 13.4s to get the C5 up to 60mph but it feels faster than that thanks to torque of 240Nm from 1,750rpm. Although the 1.6 HDi doesn't feel overwhelmed, the 2.0HDi is a more rounded proposition with 160bhp and 340Nm. The 3.0 HDi is a 240bhp affair with 450Nm that can ease its way through 60mph in 8.0s.

The C5 is offered in a choice of three trim levels - VTR, VTR+ and Exclusive. Both the saloon, and the Tourer estate model (offered at a premium of around £1,100 extra model for model) are extremely well specified. Cruise control and a speed limiter, air-conditioning, external roof bars, an acoustic windscreen and an adaptive front-lighting system (AFS) are all fitted as standard, whilst most versions are equipped with an automatic electric parking-brake and hill-start assist. For ease of parking and pedestrian safety, the C5 is also available with front and rear parking sensors, as well as a parking gap assistance system.

It's the running costs that play the major part in attracting people to diesel in the first place. The diesel engines in the C5 produce strong economy and low emissions, each one equipped with a diesel particulate filter. Economy first: you can expect between 38 and 50mpg with the 1.6HDi being the most efficient and the 3.0 V6 HDI with its standard automatic gearbox being the least. Emissions range between 140 and 195g/km.

Depreciation is a step forward from that of the first generation C5 (which wasn't difficult) but still slightly behind some of this car's mainstream rivals as the market struggles to adjust to the idea of a largish Citroen that's well put together. And insurance? Expect your diesel C5 to be somewhere between groups 9 and 16.

Citroen knows its customers and it's no surprise that diesel engines make up the bulk of its C5 range. Don't expect this car give you goosebumps with its agile handling and fiery performance, Citroen has designed it to provide comfortable, economical transport and it does so in some style. The HDi diesel engines are priced higher than the petrols but high mileage drivers will soon recoup the difference and the muscular torque served up by these units is perfectly intone with the C5's relaxed character.

Citroen's effort isn't the best car in the competitive medium range market but it is very good at what it sets out to do. There are better driver's cars but few can equal the Citroen's comfort and refinement while interior space and equipment levels are also strongpoints. The range of diesel engines is as wide as you'll find anywhere in this sector and running costs should be agreeably low. If your driving consists of a succession of motorway marathons, there's little to top it.

TOP 5 C5 DEALS

The results below show the top C5 deals on buyacar

Citroen C5 1.6 HDI 16V VTR+ Nav 4dr Diesel Saloon
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