Citroen C5 Aircross - Practicality, comfort and boot space

Although the Citroen C5 Aircross is quite boldly styled and distinctive for a mid-size SUV, the best news is that the brand hasn’t lost sight of the most important aspect for family car buyers: space and practicality.

Dimensions and size

The C5 Aircross is a nice, round 4,500mm long, 1,969mm wide and 1,689mm tall, with a 2,730mm wheelbase, making it slightly bigger in all dimensions than a Skoda Karoq.

Although the interior isn’t as cavernous as a Hyundai Santa Fe or Honda CR-V, it is still very spacious with wide door pockets, a small glovebox and a centre console that can be optioned up to include wireless smartphone charging.

How practical is the Citroen C5 Aircross?

Up front, the C5 Aircross has plenty of space in all dimensions aside from headroom – cars fitted with the panoramic roof really suffer from the dent it makes in available overhead space. However, it’s not compulsory unless you opt for the top-spec trim, so we’re keen to try one without to see if this problem is rectified.

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Seats & space in the front

Visibility from the driver’s seat is very good – another of Citroen’s weapons in its crusade for comfort is an unobstructed view. The Advanced Comfort Seats, standard from the mid-range Flair trim, are comfortable as advertised, but only up to a point. Drive enthusiastically, and you’ll notice a lack of side support, meaning that gentle progress is the only way to ensure back pain isn’t an issue.

Seats & space in the back

Taller rear passengers will feel a little bit snug in the C5 Aircross due to its fairly high floor and limited space for feet. Occasionally on longer journeys shouldn’t be too unpleasant, though, and there’s still more than enough space for the youngest family members.

Boot space 

Each rear seat can slide back and forth by 150mm to give more cabin or boot space as required. With the seats in the rearmost position, boot space is a decent 580 litres, while this grows to a genuinely impressive 720 litres with the seats set forward.

If you opt for the plug-in hybrid, though, you will be forced to sacrifice some of this carrying capacity. With rear seats in place, you’ll have 460 litres at your disposal, increasing to 1,510 litres with the back row folded. Both of these are noticeable reductions compared to the rest of the lineup.

The three rear seats aren’t the easiest to fold down, but if you do, you’ll get a good flat floor and a maximum capacity of 1,630 litres. The tailgate opens high and wide and operates on our top-spec car by wiggling your feet under the rear bumper.

Towing

Depending on which powertrain you choose, the Aircross’s maximum towing weights range from 1,250kg to 1,350kg for a braked trailer.