With a crowded compact SUV market in Europe, Stellantis has taken a multi-brand approach, fielding several mechanically-related models that share their underpinnings and tech in a bid to appeal to different buyers while keeping development costs in check. Among these are the new Jeep Compass, which is headed to the US soon, and a quartet of European-market offerings: the Citroen C5 Aircross, Opel Grandland, and Peugeot’s 3008 and 5008. While none of those are coming stateside, they’re all gunning for a piece of the same pie, taking on heavyweights like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, and to some extent, each other.More: Which New Stellantis Compact SUV from Jeep, Citroen, Peugeot, And Opel Would You Buy?The latest to enter the ring is the redesigned 2026 Citroen C5 Aircross, now arriving at dealers, and I was curious to see how it stacks up, especially since I’ve been driving the outgoing version for the past few years. And while Jeep’s upcoming Compass points toward adventure, Citroen clearly steers in a different direction, one lined with pillows and silence. In many ways, these two sit at complete opposite ends of Stellantis’ compact SUV spectrum.I got my hands on a 2026 C5 Aircross Hybrid 145. Under the hood is a familiar mild-hybrid 1.2-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine delivering 143 hp (107 kW / 145 PS), largely carried over from the facelifted first generation. As this was the range-topping Max trim, it came equipped with all the bells and whistles Citroen currently offers.The first impression is immediate, as the new Citroen has a stronger stance on the road and looks far more up to date next to its predecessor. It’s grown by 150 mm (5.9 inches) in length, now stretching to 4,652 mm (183.1 inches), with an additional 60 mm (2.4 inches) added between the axles. That extended 2,784 mm (109.6 inches) wheelbase noticeably improves its proportions.Review: Here’s Why I Bought A Citroen C5 Aircross As A Family HaulerThe face looks wider and more aggressive than before thanks to the boxier headlights and the black surfaces on the bumper playing tricks with the negative space. The profile is more sculpted and slightly less characterful, with angular shapes replacing the curves of its predecessor.Another standout feature of the new generation is the slim and protruding LED tallights, adding a futuristic touch while highlighting the toned-up rear shoulders. Despite being larger, the new C5 Aircross boasts improved aerodynamics. Depending on the trim, the compact SUV rides on different wheels measuring 18, 19, or 20 inches (optional). The Max trim is distinguished by the discreet Gold accents on the front bumper and side skirts which are not easy to spot.Lounge-Like InteriorStep inside and the first thing that grabs you is the massive 13-inch “Waterfall” display, which takes over the center console. It’s the largest screen ever fitted in a Stellantis vehicle, though it feels oversized rather than functional, especially since a portion is permanently devoted to climate controls. The infotainment layout doesn’t make the most of the available space, either.Thankfully, Citroen has kept a physical volume knob and a row of shortcut buttons beneath the screen, sparing you from tapping through endless menus.More: Peugeot’s Next 208 Wants To Reinvent The WheelThe 10-inch digital instrument cluster is on the smaller side, but it does the job. In the Max trim it is joined by an expansive head-up display that works great in keeping your eyes on the road. The steering wheel has shrunk, but is not as small as in the C3 subcompact hatchback. It has clicky buttons and paddle shifters, getting rid of the dated cruise control stalk that was a relic of the PSA era.Storage has been rethought too. The armrest bin in the center tunnel is a bit shallower now, but that’s offset by a new shelf under the console housing USB-C ports and cupholders. This frees up space up top for the wireless charging pad, gear selector, and drive mode controls. For me, the standout feature of the new cabin is the seats. Citroen made them even more plush and comfortable than before, while being more supportive. The difference is even more notable on the rear bench, with the extra foam being a lot friendlier to your bum on longer journeys.Owners of the original C5 Aircross might miss the three individual rear seats with a sliding function, but the new car feels wider and has more legroom without compromising on headroom. Boot capacity has grown too. There’s now 651 liters (23 cubic feet) of space, including underfloor storage. By comparison, the old model offered between 580 and 720 liters (20.5–25.4 cubic feet), depending on how the rear seats were positioned. Despite its budget-brand status within Stellantis, Citroen’s cabin doesn’t feel cheap. Hard plastics are still present, but the fabric dash inserts and soft seat materials lift the perceived quality. That said, the glossy black trim on the doors and center console lacks the same polish and tends to attract fingerprints.Overall, while I am still a fan of the characterful and robust interior design of the original with cube-shaped objects scattered around, the new generation brings welcome tech and practicality upgrades.Comfort Over CorneringAlthough the car had just arrived at the dealership, they let me take it out for a test drive. The route covered tight bends, some highway cruising, and the usual mix of less-than-perfect Greek roads. Coincidentally, I’d just done the same loop in the older model, making it easy to compare.My first feeling was that the new STLA Medium architecture feels like an evolution of the EMP2 rather than a clean sheet design. The suspension with the signature hydraulic bumps is even softer in the new generation, so much that you don’t really notice the imperfections on the road despite the 19-inch alloy wheels. In other words, the C5 Aircross retains the title of the most comfortable SUV in the segment, staying true to the character of the original. As you would expect from a plush SUV without adaptive dampers, there is noticeable body roll in the corners, although not enough to make you feel uncomfortable. After all, this car was designed to be driven in a chilled-out manner and doesn’t inspire you to toss it around corners. The steering doesn’t help matters. It’s ultra-light and oddly disconnected, more so than the previous model, which already wasn’t known for its precision. While the old car wasn’t exactly dynamic, it did feel slightly more intuitive and engaging. More: First Look At The Next DS SUV Suggests A Silent Change Is Already HappeningAnother thing that surprised me is the sluggish performance of the mild-hybrid 1.2-liter engine. The numbers suggest that the new Hybrid 145 completes the 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint in 11.2 seconds, which is 1 second slower than the outgoing Hybrid 136, and 0.7 seconds slower than the pre-facelifted model with the non-electrified 1.2-liter PureTech. The difference is noticeable, and might have to do with the calibration for emissions and the slightly heavier body of the new generation. Furthermore, the engine sounds a bit rough when pushed, despite the best efforts of Citroen engineers on improving the already sublime sound insulation of the previous generation.Overall, it is clear that the mild-hybrid can’t match the performance of the discontinued diesel, meaning that owners of the latter that want to upgrade will have to look elsewhere. The PHEV has a combined output of 193 hp (143 kW / 195 PS) and is actually the quickest option, despite being less powerful than the fully electric model that generates up to 227 hp (169 kW / 230 PS) in the Long Range version.At the moment, the entire C5 Aircross lineup is FWD, although a dual-motor AWD EV might be offered in the future, following the example of the Opel Grandland and the Peugeot 3008/5008 siblings.Pricing and RivalsIn Greece, where this test took place, pricing for the new mild-hybrid C5 Aircross starts at €29,900 ($34,600), making it €2,200 ($2,600) more expensive than the last diesel versions, which were being heavily discounted.As for the other powertrain options, the fully electric version starts at €37,900 ($43,900) before subsidies, while the plug-in hybrid begins at €44,900 ($52,000). The most expensive model in the lineup is the plug-in hybrid Max, priced at €48,900 ($56,600). Looking ahead, it’s set to become the flagship of the entire Citroen range following the planned discontinuation of the C5 X fastback crossover.There are three trims to choose from: You (entry-level), Plus (mid-spec), and Max (high-spec). Even the base model comes fairly well-equipped, featuring LED lights, 18-inch wheels, dual-zone climate control, a 13-inch infotainment screen, a 10-inch digital cluster, and a full ADAS suite. On the other end of the spectrum, the highest-spec Max gets the fancy head-up display, Matrix LED Vision headlights, an air quality system, heated seats and steering wheel, ambient lighting, and more sophisticated driver assistance. The panoramic sunroof is optional and costs €1,426 ($1,650).The Citroen C5 Aircross and the Opel Grandland are positioned in the upper end of Europe’s compact SUV segment, striking the middle ground between the Peugeot 3008 and 5008. Other rivals include the Jeep Compass, VW Tiguan, Renault Austral, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, Ford Kuga, and Skoda Karoq/Kodiaq.The Verdict The new Citroen C5 Aircross holds on to its family-friendly nature, now wrapped in a more modern design and equipped with updated tech. It no longer offers the sliding three-piece rear bench from the previous model, but compensates with added size and comfort, helped along by ultra-plush seating, a new platform, and a more refined suspension setup.What it doesn’t offer is much in the way of driving engagement. The overly light steering feels detached, and the base mild-hybrid engine doesn’t deliver much excitement. Then again, that’s unlikely to bother most buyers, which is exactly why Citroen has doubled down on its core strengths, including distinctive styling, generous space, and class-leading comfort.Whether that formula is enough to sway buyers in a fiercely competitive segment, where many rivals promise a bit of everything, is still an open question, one that will ultimately be answered in the sales charts.Special thanks to Peugeot | Citroen | DS | Opel Auto Kurkas A.E. in Corinth, Greece for providing the test vehicle.
/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com%2Fmedia.my.ua%2Ffeed%2F15%2Fc0ccebd6fc8f76e707cf8e7144906216.jpg)