Citroën C5 3.0 HDi V6 240 CV aut., road test (Part III)
Diego G. Moreira
25 April 2010
5 min.
We have now arrived at the final part of the road test of the Citroën C5 equipped with the powerful 3.0 HDI V6 engine producing 240 CV and a six-speed automatic gearbox. We told you about the engine and its performance, as well as consumption and general behaviour, in the first part of the test and in the second part we looked at the design of the C5, mainly those elements that set it apart from a C5 with a smaller engine, along with some curious interior details.
Now we come to the third part of the test, where we will talk about equipment and prices, as well as our overall assessment of the model. As for equipment, we will focus exclusively on the standard specification of this 240 CV version, which is available only with the highest trim level, Exclusive. But in the test we carried out a few months ago on a Citroën C5 we went into detail on the base equipment of a C5 and its standard items.
You can get a Citroën C5 with the 110 CV HDi engine and the Millenium trim from 21,290 euros with a comprehensive standard specification, but our test unit, equipped with the 240 CV V6 HDI engine and the most complete level of equipment, has a starting price of 36,400 euros.
Equipment
The basic safety equipment of a Citroën C5 is very complete. From the base level it includes items such as ESP, ABS, retractable pedals, front fog lights, front airbags, side airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, and front and rear curtain airbags. This equipment is standard from the base level onwards and, as expected, it earned the famous five stars in the EuroNCAP crash test.
Turning to our 240 CV model, for 36,400 euros it comes with a comprehensive standard specification, including: bi-xenon steering headlights, chrome window surrounds, Hydractive III suspension, front and rear parking sensors, MP3 radio with six speakers, USB socket and Bluetooth phone connectivity, dual-zone climate control, electric parking brake, among other items.
But the notable equipment on our test C5 doesn’t end there, since on top of the standard equipment of the Exclusive model you add the Exclusive Full Leather pack (6,050 euros), which adds micro-perforated electric leather seats, a leather-wrapped dashboard, a navigation system with hard drive and DVD player, a HI-FI sound system, an alarm and metallic paint. With all this equipment and not a single extra more, you get a C5 with a 240 CV V6 diesel engine for 42,450 euros.
Among the equipment, a few things deserve mention. First, the navigation system, which works really well: it is the top-of-the-range system of the PSA Group, the Navidrive 3D, which includes a DVD player (see detail), an integrated hard drive and 3D maps. Together with the USB socket and the HI-FI sound system, this gives a complete audio setup for music lovers, and it is curious that DVD playback can be done while stationary or on the move with sound only. If you don’t need such sophisticated navigation, the My Way system, which also has USB, is available from 739 euros.
Our C5 also featured the lane departure warning system, one of the systems that were state of the art in the previous generation of the C5 if I remember correctly. It warns you with a vibration in the seat (on the side you are drifting towards) if you leave your lane unintentionally.
Overall assessment
When I first requested this Citroën C5, I wanted to see how this V6 engine, which they develop together with the Group Ford and therefore with Jaguar and Land Rover, had evolved. And my surprise was greater when I saw the finish of the C5, which was above what I had already seen in the previous test, something that pleasantly surprised me.
Despite its 240 CV engine, this is not a vehicle for sporty driving thrills; its steering and suspension are not geared towards that use. But what is in one way a drawback becomes a real virtue for travelling with maximum comfort and speed, because at the same time the engine delivers plenty of power and moves the C5 with total ease.
On the other hand, although the pack fitted to our test unit is expensive, for those who want a fully loaded vehicle and don’t mind what badge is on the bonnet, they will get a model with equipment that no premium brand offers at 40,000 euros. What’s more, certain connectivity solutions (USB socket, navigation and sound system) would be welcomed by some much more expensive models labelled premium.
In my personal opinion, this C5 with these finishes is a declaration of intent: it moves away from the idea of a mainstream brand and delivers a real lesson in quality and equipment. Many may miss the sportiness of an engine of that size, but if you travel a lot on country roads or motorways and are looking for a comfortable, fast, powerful car fully equipped, you will see few models in this price range.
It is even an alternative to the C6 in terms of size and price. It is no longer the first C5 I have seen assigned as an official car or part of the PME fleet, as a vehicle for government sub-delegates and the like.
Prices (according to Citroën press release)
[jwplayer file=”http://www.youtube.com/v/hemvWPHrHs8″]
- C5 1.8i 16v BUSINESS 21,190 euros
- C5 THP 155 PREMIER 24,690 euros
- C5 3.0i V6 CAS EXCLUSIVE 34,500 euros
- C5 HDi 110 FAP BUSINESS 21,890 euros
- C5 HDi 110 FAP MILLENIUM 22,940 euros
- C5 HDi 140 FAP BUSINESS 23,340 euros
- C5 HDi 140 FAP MILLENIUM 24,790 euros
- C5 HDi 140 FAP PREMIER 25,140 euros
- C5 HDi 140 FAP EXCLUSIVE 28,540 euros
- C5 HDi 160 FAP PREMIER 26,040 euros
- C5 HDi 160 FAP EXCLUSIVE 29,440 euros
- C5 HDi 160 FAP CAS PREMIER 28,040 euros
- C5 HDi 160 FAP CAS EXCLUSIVE 31,440 euros
- C5 V6 HDi 240 FAP CAS EXCLUSIVE 36,400 euros
Photos | David Taboada
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buenas una pregunta que pulgadas le pondrias tu a este coxe con un hdi140cv ?
Más que nada unas llantas 17″ serían mas que perfectas para mover al C5.
Un saludo
oks gracias Diego salu2
ya conosco sitroen tengo un c5 2.2 136 cv y un c4 110 cv. y megustaria probar el c5 240 cv. aministrador. jose moyano valenzuela
hola yo tenia un 407 sw hasta que el 8 de marzo un borracho cabron y a toda hostia me lo destrozo y casi me mata ami a mi mujer y a mi pequeña de 7 meses.ahora estoy esperando por un c5 240 cuero integral que no me daran hasta ultimos de abril o primeros de mayo y esto es eterno tengo unas ganas de cogerlo me parece un coche que por precio y calidad hoy no hay nada en el mercado a comparar con el lo unico para algunos que no es”ya sabeis la marquita”pues yo me quedo con prestaciones y otros que pagen las marquitas saludos desde oviedo
Felicidades por la compra!! Te envidio ya que es un coche que me tiene enamorado , realmente Citroen vuelve a recuperar el sitio que nunca debio perder . Disfruta de esa maquinon que te has comprado y saludos
Buenos días, estoy planteandome la compra de un Citroen C5 3.0 V6 (240CV) año
2011. 145.000Km, Cuero integral,precio sobre 10.000€, Me gustaria saber, si es una compra acertada.
No conozco el coche pero he visto el equipamiento y el motor que monta y bajo mi punto de vista creo que es interesante.
Gracias.