Review Of The Citroen DS5 Hatchback
JTNDY2VudGVyJTNFJTNDaWZyYW1lJTIwd2lkdGglM0QlMjI1NjAlMjIlMjBoZWlnaHQlM0QlMjIzMTUlMjIlMjBzcmMlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbSUyRmVtYmVkJTJGM3lRZFNta19mR2slMjIlMjBmcmFtZWJvcmRlciUzRCUyMjAlMjIlMjBnZXN0dXJlJTNEJTIybWVkaWElMjIlMjBhbGxvdyUzRCUyMmVuY3J5cHRlZC1tZWRpYSUyMiUyMGFsbG93ZnVsbHNjcmVlbiUzRSUzQyUyRmlmcmFtZSUzRSUzQyUyRmNlbnRlciUzRQ==Taken a look at the standard C5 but need something more? The brand new Citroen DS5 Hatchback is another shot at the premium market by Citroen. That means more kit, more luxury – and a bigger price tag.
If you want a compact executive saloon, but want something different to a BMW or a Mercedes, this is an interesting alternative. However, if you’re looking for a more affordable but still premium alternative, the DS5’s high running costs might disappoint you.
OSV takes a closer look at what it’s all about with our 2017 Citroen DS5 Hatchback review.
On The Road
It was always going to be hard for Citroen to match the driving experience of the BMW 3 Series – if, indeed, that’s what they were aiming for. Either way, they haven’t managed it. It’s not as responsive or as sharp, although its overly firm suspension is reminiscent of the German car.
Opt for the bigger wheels, and you may find that the ride is too harsh. However, it isn’t as bad as last time, with Citroen working hard to improve the suspension. At the same time, if it comforts you’re looking for, you’re better off taking a look at the cheaper standard Citroen C5.[vc_single_image image=”54481″ img_size=”article-image”]In terms of the engines, you’re spoiled for choice. The diesel range starts off with a 1.6-litre BlueHDi 120 that develops up to 118bhp, and which can get you from a rest to 62mph in 12.7 seconds. Not exactly fast, but when in gear, acceleration is good.
However, there are plenty of things to like about the interior. The driver-focused wraparound dashboard is a case in point, as is the fact that Citroen has got rid of a whopping TWELVE buttons so that the design has been smartened up. The buttons that are left are all of a high-quality and all clear to see.
Other cabin highlights include sophisticated lighting, soft-sounding warning buzzers, and roof-mounted controls. To take the premium effect away ever so slightly, Citroen have added a few scratchy plastics, but they’re barely noticeable.
It’s also really practical, though the 465-litre boot shrinks to 325 if you go for the hybrid model. This means it’s smaller than the Citroen C4, so doesn’t make much sense if you’re on the lookout or a big, spacious and accommodating hatchback.
Other than that, the only problem we have on the practicality front is rear headroom – the swooping roofline will make taller passengers feel cramped.
Citroen DS5 Hatchback Interior, Design & Build
[vc_single_image image=”54482″ img_size=”article-image”]The suspension setup was really firm on the previous model, and Citroen knew they had to soften it up this time around. However, try as they might they just haven’t been able to soften it up enough. As such, they’ve offered supportive seats and a top-class interior as a sort of “we’re sorry” gift to you, in the hope that this will appease you.
Some buyers, though, won’t be impressed by the way it smashes into potholes, and it could turn out to be a deal breaker because comfy this car isn’t.However, there are plenty of things to like about the interior. The driver-focused wraparound dashboard is a case in point, as is the fact that Citroen has got rid of a whopping TWELVE buttons so that the design has been smartened up. The buttons that are left are all of a high-quality and all clear to see.
Other cabin highlights include sophisticated lighting, soft-sounding warning buzzers, and roof-mounted controls. To take the premium effect away ever so slightly, Citroen has added a few scratchy plastics, but they’re barely noticeable.
It’s also really practical, though the 465-litre boot shrinks to 325 if you go for the hybrid model. This means it’s smaller than the Citroen C4, so doesn’t make much sense if you’re on the lookout or a big, spacious and accommodating hatchback.
Other than that, the only problem we have on the practicality front is rear headroom – the swooping roofline will make taller passengers feel cramped.
However, there are plenty of things to like about the interior. The driver-focused wraparound dashboard is a case in point, as is the fact that Citroen has got rid of a whopping TWELVE buttons so that the design has been smartened up. The buttons that are left are all of a high-quality and all clear to see.
Other cabin highlights include sophisticated lighting, soft-sounding warning buzzers, and roof-mounted controls. To take the premium effect away ever so slightly, Citroen have added a few scratchy plastics, but they’re barely noticeable.
It’s also really practical, though the 465-litre boot shrinks to 325 if you go for the hybrid model. This means it’s smaller than the Citroen C4, so doesn’t make much sense if you’re on the lookout or a big, spacious and accommodating hatchback.
Other than that, the only problem we have on the practicality front is rear headroom – the swooping roofline will make taller passengers feel cramped.
Equipment & Safety Of The Citroen DS5 Hatchback
Standard equipment is good for what is essentially a premium model. The basic trim gets front and rear electric windows, cruise control, a DAB digital radio, rear parking sensors, an electric brake, twin-zone air conditioning and windscreen wipers. It also comes with our preferred engine, the BlueHDi 120, which means that for OSV’s money there’s no real need to go for a range-topping model.
However, the mid-range Prestige trim gets a reversing camera, an electric driver’s seat and blind spot warning, while the Performance Line adds black alloys, a sportier look, and a few customized paint options.
The DS5 comes with a good safety record, and scored 5/5 when it was put through its paces by Euro NCAP. It scored especially well for safety assist (97%). Its standard safety kit includes hill-start assistance, airbags, anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control.
Costs Of The Citroen DS5 Hatchback
Prices for the new car start out from £27,600 and rise to £33,700. For more information on our leasing deals, you can check out our page here.
In terms of its running costs, cash-conscious buyers might be tempted to check out the hybrid version first. But despite being able to return fuel economy of 72.4mpg, it’s very expensive to buy in the first place.
As such, OSV prefers the diesels. The BlueHDi120 is the smallest available, and can return 70.6mpg while costing £20 per year to tax. The BlueHDi 150 offers more power and performance and still returns just under 69mpg. It also costs £20 a year to tax.
The BlueHDi180 is your diesel if you want plenty of shove. With returns of 64.2mpg and an annual tax bill of £130, it’s an attractive proposition.
The 1.6-litre engine is the only petrol engine. It’s costly, with its 168bhp motor emitting 136g/km of CO2. This means a £130 yearly tax bill, while fuel economy returns of 47.9mpg aren’t pretty.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
Pros and Cons Of The Citroen DS5 Hatchback
Pros:
Stylish
With its purposeful looks and striking design, this is easily one of Citroen’s most handsome cars ever.
Well-Built
Build quality is more than a match for rivals.
Affordable Diesel Engines
The diesel engines are family-friendly in terms of their costs and can return fuel economy of 72mpg.
Cons:
Hybrid Is A Compromise
The hybrid was meant to be the star of the DS5 range, but it’s expensive and is having trouble finding buyers.
Ride Is Too Firm
Another reason the DS5 isn’t selling as well as Citroen hoped is its overly firm ride.
Citroen DS5 Hatchback vs Skoda Octavia Diesel Hatchback vs Kia Optima Diesel Saloon
Let’s see how the car fares against its rivals in the comparison section of our 2017 Citroen DS5 Hatchback review.
Citroen DS5 Hatchback vs Skoda Octavia Diesel Hatchback
The new Skoda Octavia Hatchback is spacious, well-built, and cheap to run – three things you can always rely on Skoda to deliver.
In 2017, you can expect even more from a Skoda, and the Octavia is now also fun to drive. It weighs less than the outgoing model, with the result being handling that feels more alive. Sure, it’s not the most dynamic in the class, but with well-weighted steering and little body lean, it’s as enjoyable as it’s ever been.[vc_single_image image=”54174″ img_size=”article-image”]And despite the diesel engines emitting the familiar diesel rattle on start-up, they soon settle down and turn into quiet, relaxed companions for you. Both offer good performance, giving you the confidence to execute smooth overtakes.
For maximum smoothness, we recommend that you go for the 1.6-litre TDI unit, which can get you from a rest to 62mph in 10.6 seconds. And while that may be a tad slow for some of you, it’s average fuel economy returns of 74.2mpg sure are tempting.
The 148bhp 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine has more power, and can do the 0-62 dash in just 8.5 seconds. It’s a better all-rounder, but it does cost more to run. It returns fuel economy of 70.6mpg at best, and costs £20 to tax – whereas the other diesel is free to tax.
The interior is easily one of the 2017 Octavia Hatchback’s strengths. It’s a well-built, comfy and sophisticated setup. However, Volkswagen clearly didn’t want it to upstage their own cars, and as such it lacks the premium touches of the Citroen DS5. For example, exterior noise seeps easily into the cabin, with the diesel clatter being a particular source of frustration.
Moreover, the suspension sometimes seems a little too stiff, while in terms of styling it’s all a bit low-key. Design flair is missing.
However, let’s focus on the strengths. Standard tech includes Apple CarPlay, SmartGate connectivity, and an 8” Bolero infotainment system, while the dash is simple, easy to use and has some nice touches, such as a chrome-tinge speedometer.
It’s also a really practical cabin that can boast the biggest boot in this sector. Measuring 590-litres, it dwarves the Citroens, and can be extended to 1,580 by folding down the rear seats. Leg and headroom, both upfront and in the back, is more like the kind you’d expect in an exec saloon, while accessing the rear seat is a cinch thanks to massive, wide-opening doors.
Price:
Citroen – £27,600 – £33,700
Skoda – £17,200 – £29,000
Citroen DS5 Hatchback vs Kia Optima Diesel Saloon
[vc_single_image image=”54175″ img_size=”article-image”]The new Kia Optima Saloon offers plenty that modern families with cash on the hip are looking for from a family car: Excellent build quality, lots of standard kit, affordable running costs, style, and comfort. As a bonus, Kia has thrown in a seven-year warranty.
On the road, the car is a model of sophistication and composure. It doesn’t fizz with excitement, but it offers engaging handling and some very adept cruising ability.The steering does feel a bit vague at the time, which can undermine your confidence as you try to plant it on the road. But we’re pleased to see that the suspension has been revised so that it deals with the hammer blows meted out by potholes much better.
There is only one deal engine available – a 1.7-litre unit that develops up to 139bhp, and which can get you from a standstill to 62mpg in 10.6 seconds. That’s reasonable for a car that’s more of a relaxing cruiser than anything else and is on par with the DS5.
However, it is an engine that does lack the oomph you really need to carry the Optima on a full load with confidence, while its typical diesel din kinda takes something away from the cars relaxed cruiser persona.
Its running costs are affordable. It can return fuel economy of 67.3mpg on average, and costs £20 a year to tax. This is when you pair it up with the manual gearbox. Pair it up with the automatic, and those mpg numbers drop to 64.2mpg, while yearly road tax rises to £30 per year.
Like the Skoda, the Optima’s interior has plenty of strengths. It’s a quiet place to be, thanks to sound-deadening materials that keep exterior noises mostly out. And the diesel engine – despite being cranky when you first wake it up – quickly settles down.
The brand also hasn’t skimped on soft-touch plastics with their new Optima Hatchback, although the actual design is a bit uninspiring. However, everything is sensibly arranged and looks a lot better than last time.
In terms of practicality, the Kia’s 510-litre boot is bigger than the Citroen’s but smaller than the Skoda’s. Its boot doesn’t open too wide, while an un-removable parcel shelf might frustrate some of you. However, head, leg and foot room is good wherever you’re sat, there are lots of storage spaces dotted around the cabin, and the car – when paired up with the manual transmission – can tow weight up to 1,800kg.
Price:
Kia – £28,000 +
Verdict Of Our 2017 Citroen DS5 Hatchback
If you’re fed up wit the same old models, the new DS5 represents a solid alternative in a sector that’s getting boring. It’s a lively, mature and at times quirky family car. It’s not selling as well as Citroen hoped, but if you’re one of the families who want something different, the new Citroen DS5 Hatchback is a sound choice.
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