2022 Citroen C5 Aircross facelift under evaluation for Australia
Citroen’s medium SUV challenger gains a new look and revised interior for the new year – though a local arrival is yet to be announced.
The facelifted 2022 Citroen C5 Aircross has been revealed in Europe – though an Australian launch remains under evaluation, and is yet to be locked in.
Leading the updates to Citroen’s left-field rival to the Mazda CX-5, Skoda Karoq, sister Peugeot 3008 and other mid-size SUVs is a refreshed exterior, with a new front-end that sees the current C5 Aircross SUV’s split headlights replaced by single-piece units, featuring twin-line daytime-running lights and LED technology.
The lower front bumper has been restyled with vertical air intakes – understood to serve as ‘air curtains’, channeling air cleanly past the front wheels – joined by new LED tail-light graphics and 18-inch wheel designs, and the availability of gloss black mirror caps and matte black roof rails.
Inside, the C5 Aircross gains the 10-inch tablet-style infotainment touchscreen seen in the new C4 small SUV and other new-generation Peugeot and Citroen products, sitting above restyled air vents and touch-sensitive shortcut buttons.
While there have been no changes to the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster seen in today’s car, other new features for the facelift include a redesigned centre console with a Volkswagen-like toggle switch gear selector, an additional USB port, and a drive mode selector to switch between Hybrid, Electric and Sport modes in plug-in hybrid variants.
Buyers can reportedly choose between Alcantara and perforated leather upholstery, with the front seats upgraded to the Advanced Comfort units offered in the C4 and C5 X, housing 15mm of foam, and offering heating and massaging functions.
No changes to the engine line-up have been announced, suggesting a carry-over range of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains in Europe.
The lattermost – currently not offered in Australia – pairs a 132kW petrol engine with an 81kW electric motor and 13.2kWh battery for a combined power output of 165kW, and 55km of claimed WLTP driving range.
Meanwhile, all models sold in Australia have shared a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder, sending 121kW and 240Nm to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.
While the 2022 Citroen C5 Aircross is expected to go on sale in Europe in mid-2022, an Australian launch is yet to be locked in – despite the model competing in one of Australia’s most popular new vehicle segments, and accounting for 33 per cent of Citroen Australia sales in 2021.
“We can confirm local evaluation is underway for the all-new C5 Aircross. We hope to have further information to share with you on the all-new Citroen C5 Aircross in the coming months,” Citroen’s Australian arm said in a statement.
Keen readers will note the facelifted C3 Aircross was also announced as “under evaluation” upon its reveal in Europe in early 2021 – just weeks before the pre-facelift C3 Aircross range was axed from local showrooms.
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