Citroen C5 Aircross Blue

In dropping the more powerful versions of the petrol and diesel engines Citroën has inevitably focused attention on the plug-in hybrid, which is, in theory, both faster and more efficient. With 225 horsepower in total it certainly delivers on the former, the electrified boost off the line and when accelerating into fast-moving motorway traffic very much welcome. Efficiency? Forget Citroën’s triple-digit mpg claims, the C5 great when there’s charge in the battery but quickly reverting to more typical petrol fuel consumption figures once you’ve exhausted the 38-mile electric range. To put that into context we saw closer to 40mpg at a steady, 400-mile cruise but if you mainly do shorter journeys you may do better. All of which is pretty standard for a plug-in hybrid. From previous experience of the 130 horsepower petrol and diesel options these are sufficient rather than sparkling performers, the automatic gearbox probably the nicer choice than the manual and the diesel perhaps still prererable if you do big mileages. Both are significantly cheaper to buy than the hybrid as well.