The DS5 was selected by Top Gear magazine as Family Car of the Year 2012
With the DS5 Citroen brought futuristic styling to a once dull section of the market. We find out if this DS lives up to its bold looks.
What is it? An exquisite blend of coupe and hatchback with a sprinkling of estate the DS5 is one of only three Citroens that bear the DS nameplate. This distinct brand from Citroen was created to merge style and luxury and marked a radical departure for the company. Not that Citroens in the past were dull but rather the French company in recent years has tended to put value before style. In contrast when it comes to the DS range, it is all about the details.
Who is it aimed at? You’ll get nothing but admiring looks in this car and even the most non-plussed observers just can’t help being impressed. This is the perfect car for those who need the practicality of a family car without the conventional styling.
Styling: Few cars come close to the DS5 for dramatic styling, with bold lights in the front and concept car touches throughout it is of the most striking cars on the road today. Each time you look at it you notice new details.
Under the Bonnet Our test car was powered by a 2.0 litre turbo diesel engine with a six speed manual gearbox. There are also two other diesel engines to choose from and a diesel electric/hybrid.
Inside there is a cockpit roof and pilot-style cabin
What about Inside? Inside the DS5 there are cool pilot style overhead toggles and switches and quirky features galore. According to Citroen the interior was designed to feel like your own personal jet. Aviation inspired touches are everywhere and with the wraparound dashboard and squared off steering wheel the interior is the very last word in luxury and sophistication. On the practical side legroom and head room is good in the front and reasonably decent in the back. Rear visibility is reduced by the avant-garde styling and the boot is not huge for a car of this size.
On the Road? The DS5 feels quite different from rivals and is a comfortable cruiser best suited to long journeys. It handles well and the manual gearbox is slick. The suspension however is firm and boarders on harsh on less than perfect roads but generally it feels quick and there is plenty of grip when cornering.
And Safety? When crash tested by EuroNCAP the DS5 achieved a 5-star safety rating and an impressive 97% score in the ‘Safety Assist’ category. This is a category that rates the features of a car likely to reduce the chances of an accident. Safety assist features play a huge role in accident avoidance and minimizing injury.
Options? Three versions of Citroen’s striking DS5 are on offer; DSign, DStyle and DSport. The Entry level DSign comes well equipped as standard with a long list including keyless access and start, cruise control with speed limiter and automatic electric parking brake. Upgrading to the DStyle adds among others rear parking sensors and a reverse camera. The range topping DSport gains front parking sensors, colour head up display and a host of luxurious interior additions. Prices start at €33,195.
What about fuel economy? On a mix of urban and motorway driving our 2.0 litre diesel returned 5.1 litres per 100km. CO2 emissions are 133g/km so the cost per year for motor tax is €280.
Okay so the Verdict? The DS5 is one of the most striking cars on the road, inside and out. It is also a relaxing and fuel efficient cruiser. If you want to stand out from the crowd then look no further than the DS5 but with a starting price of €33,195 the question is just how much are you prepared to pay for something truly different.
Why you’ll buy one? Beautiful design; incredible interior; comfort
Why you won’t? Rear visibility; Space; Firm Suspension
Rivals:
BMW 3-Serie 320d Efficient Dynamics €40,400
Audi A4 A4 2.0TDI 143HP SE €41.010
Citroen DS5 DStyle HDi 160
Engine: 1997cc four-cylinder turbo diesel with 160bhp @3750 and 340Nm at 2,000rpm
Max speed: 215km/h
0-100 kph: 8.5 seconds
Emissions (Motor Tax) : 133g/km (€280)
Model price range: €33,195 – €46,695 (Test Car €37,295)
No of Doors: 5
Euro NCAP: 5
Fuel type: Diesel
Fuel Economy (combined cycle): 5.1 litres
Boot Capacity Seats up(down) : 465 litres
Child Car Seats: 2 Isofix fittings in the rear
Length: 4530mm
Width: 1871mm
Height: 1539mm
Wheelbase: 2727mm
For more information check out Citroen.ie or the Citroen Ireland Facebook page
17th April, 2013
