Stellantis Puts Its Biggest Screen Inside This Boxy Citroën

We must’ve missed the memo when automakers decided bigger is always better when it comes to screens inside cars. As if it’s something to brag about, Stellantis points out that the new Citroën C5 Aircross has the largest central display ever fitted to a production car from any of its 14 brands. The infotainment system measures a stately 13 inches and dominates the dashboard.

Aside from the portrait-oriented jumbo screen, the cabin also features a 10-inch digital instrument cluster. Citroën adds a larger-than-ever color head-up display that’s adjustable in height. Despite the screen-heavy approach, there’s a row of physical buttons below the main display. The center console also accommodates the drive mode selector and a small gear lever, so not everything has been absorbed by the big screen.

- Advertisement -

Photo by: Citroën

Entering its second generation, the C5 Aircross rides on the STLA Medium platform, meaning it should share more than a few things with the upcoming Jeep Compass. It’s refreshingly boxy and has the funky styling Citroën is known for. This is the first production model from the brand with the double chevron logo to ride on 20-inch wheels from the factory. However, we need to add an asterisk to that claim because luxury spin-off DS Automobiles already sells vehicles with even larger 21-inch alloys.

- Advertisement -

The C5 Aircross is effectively Citroën’s flagship model since the fancier cars carry the DS badge. Given its top-tier positioning, it comes with high-tech goodies like matrix LED headlights and a clever suspension system with progressive hydraulic cushions that deliver a “magic carpet” feel, all without a Mercedes badge. The setup features two progressive shock absorbers at the front axle, one for compression and the other for rebound, to smooth out road imperfections.

Since apparently every new car is bigger than its predecessor, the C5 Aircross now has a more generous footprint. It measures 183.1 inches (4652 millimeters), making it 5.9 inches (150 millimeters) longer than the first-gen model. Citroën also stretched the wheelbase by 2.36 inches (60 millimeters) to 109.6 inches (2,784 mm), resulting in greater rear legroom.

There’s something for almost everyone when it comes to powertrains. Well, except for diesel fans. The company with the double chevron logo has officially bid adieu to oil-burners in the new C5 Aircross. The base model features Stellantis’ ubiquitous entry-level engine, a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder unit producing 136 horsepower, plus an additional 12 hp from a mild-hybrid setup powered by a tiny 0.9-kWh battery mounted beneath the driver’s seat. The e-motor is integrated into a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

- Advertisement -

A plug-in hybrid is also available, pairing a larger 1.6-liter turbo, four-cylinder engine making 150 hp with a 125-hp electric motor, for a combined output of 195 hp. The e-motor is built into a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and draws power from a 21-kWh battery located centrally beneath the floor. That setup provides 53 miles (86 kilometers) of electric range on the WLTP combined cycle, and more than 62 miles (100 kilometers) in city. After that, the combustion engine kicks in and draws fuel from its 14.5-gallon (55-liter) tank. Citroën claims a maximum total range of 404 miles (650 kilometers) on the highway.

A purely electric C5 Aircross comes in two flavors: one with 210 hp and 323 miles (520 km) of range from a 73-kWh battery, and another with 230 hp and 423 miles (680 km) of range from a larger 97-kWh pack. Both batteries support DC fast charging at 160 kW, while the plug-in hybrid version can be charged at up to 7.4 kW.

Although a French automaker is coming to the United States, it won’t be Citroën. Instead, Renault plans to return to North America with its Alpine performance sub-brand later this decade. Meanwhile, the C5 Aircross will go on sale in Europe in the latter half of the year.