Citroen has officially unveiled the second-generation C5 Aircross SUV with new hybrid and all-electric powertrain options. The new C5 Aircross is larger than its predecessor, retains much of the concept’s design that was showcased in October 2024, and comes with much greater focus on back seat comfort. The C5 Aircross is currently the flagship model in Citroen’s global range.
- New C5 Aircross gets design elements from Oli concept
- New all-electric C5 Aircross has range of up to 680km
- Deliveries in Europe to begin in second half of 2025
2025 Citroen C5 Aircross exterior design
Production model looks largely the same as the concept
What’s really impressive about the new C5 Aircross is that it looks very close to the concept that previewed it. Drawing some influences from the Citroen Oli concept, the C5 Aircross features a mix of both sharp lines and smooth rounded surfaces. The slim headlamps with the three-piece C-shaped LED DRLs have been retained from the concept. Meanwhile, the bumper gets a two-tone, blanked-out treatment with the flush horizontal slats adding a nice detail. There’s also a blacked-out central air intake down below.
In profile, the flush door handles from the concept have made for regular pull-type ones. There’s prominent plastic cladding over the sculpted wheel arches, and the 20-inch alloys have been toned down a little, featuring a petal-like design. The detailing around the D-pillar also creates a floating effect for the roof, and the shoulder line looks quite muscular. At the rear, the C-shaped theme continues with the protruding tail-lamps that have a nice 3D effect. There’s a connecting band with the Citroen logo, and the rear bumper gets a gloss and matte finish.
The C5 Aircross' length has grown by 150mm, and is now up to 4,652mm, but, the more important change is a 60mm increase in wheelbase, all of which has gone into increasing the rear legroom.
2025 Citroen C5 Aircross interior and features
Citroen says interior is inspired by living room aesthetics
While the exterior design could be described as evolutionary, the interior is completely new with a huge portrait-oriented touchscreen taking most of the dashboard’s real estate. Citroen says the dashboard has drawn influences from traditional living room furniture, with foam fabric padding reminiscent of a sofa available in a choice of light or dark colours.
Coming back to the touchscreen – which thankfully hasn’t swallowed up all physical controls – gets fixed status and control bars, programmable widgets and direct access to the climate control. There’s some physical switchgear just below, and on the centre console, while the AC vents are very nicely concealed in a slim band atop the dashboard. It also gets a 10-inch digital instrument cluster and an optional head-up display.
The C5 Aircross’ longer wheelbase has gone into creating what Citroen is calling the 'C-Zen Lounge', where "occupants are seated as if in a living room". The 'Advanced Comfort' front seats have been upgraded with thick lower padding on the backrest and an upper portion that "wraps around passengers' shoulders like a shawl". The side bolsters are now electrically adjustable too.
At the back, passengers get 51mm additional legroom and 68mm more headroom. Plus, there’s extra adjustability for the backrest that can be reclined between 21 and 33 degrees. Rear passengers also get a pair of cupholders in the centre console, together with a pair of USB-C charging ports.
2025 Citroen C5 Aircross powertrain options
Two hybrids, one electric powertrain option
The new C5 Aircross is based on parent company Stellantis' new STLA Medium architecture. Powering the new C5 Aircross are two hybrids – one mild and one plug-in – as well as an all-electric drivetrain. The range starts with a 134hp, 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine that’s coupled with a 12hp electric motor and a small 0.9kWh battery located under the driver’s seat. The electric motor is integrated into the 6-speed dual-clutch automatic. Then there’s the PHEV which uses a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in tandem with a 125hp electric motor for a combined 195hp. It gets a 21kWh battery that's good for an all-electric range of 85km.
Lastly, the all-electric C5 Aircross can be had in two configurations: a front-mounted 213hp motor and a 73kWh battery returning a range of 520km or a front-mounted 233hp motor with a 97kWh battery with a range of 680km (both ranges on the WLTP cycle).
Deliveries for the all-new Citroen C5 Aircross will begin in Europe in the second half of this year. The previous-generation of the C5 Aircross continues to be on sale in India as a CKD (completely knocked down) model, albeit with a diesel engine. It remains to be seen when this new-gen SUV makes it to India and what powertrain options it gets.
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