Mat’s Car of the Day: a used Citroen C5 X is the most comfortable car you can buy for less than £20,000
Car changing is a big deal
The Citroen C5 X may not have been a sales hit, but Mat Watson reckons it’s still a brilliant, quirky and comfortable family car which makes a great used buy.
Back in 2023, I lived with a Citroen C5 X for six months. In that time, I used it to ferry my daughter around, drove it to video shoots and loaded it to bursting with gear for family holidays.
When it came time to hand the keys back, I was sad to see it go. It was a fantastically comfortable, well-equipped and economical family car, and I was even more sad to see it discontinued due to low sales.
I think the C5 X deserved more recognition, and now I’m going to give it some because it’s now a real bargain on the used market.
Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.
Three things I loved about the Citroen C5 X
1. It’s fantastically comfortable
A lot of modern SUVs focus on being sporty, but the C5 X has no such delusions. It glides over bumps and potholes on its soft suspension, and the seats feel like armchairs in a posh lodge. For long motorway trips to film videos for Carwow, this was one of the most relaxing long-term test cars I’ve ever had.
2. The interior is posh and spacious
The C5 X feels like a big step up in quality compared to other Citroen models of the time. You get fancy-looking wood trim on the dashboard, as well as soft-touch plastics on the dashboard and door tops. There’s also acres of space in the rear seats, and the big boot is handy for family holidays.
3. It looks distinctive
Many moons ago, Citroen was known for making weird cars which went against the grain. While not quite as wild as the cars it was making in the ‘70s, the C5 X felt like a return to form. It’s a mashup between a coupe, a saloon, a hatchback and an estate, but whatever you call it, I reckon it looks really cool.
Used Citroen C5 X deals
The Citroen C5 X started from around £30,000 when it was new, which I thought was a bargain then. Now though, you can pick them up really cheaply on the used market.
Prices start from as little as £11,500 through Carwow for a 2023 car with higher miles, but this one really caught my eye.
It’s an early 2025 model, one of the last off the line, and it’s in range-topping Max trim. This means it comes with heated leather seats, adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera and wireless smartphone mirroring.
With just 10,250 miles on the clock, this C5 X can be yours for just £18,995. I think that’s fantastic value for money.
Three annoying things about the Citroen C5 X
As much as I like this car, it’s not perfect. Here are three things which annoyed me when I had a Citroen C5 X.
1. Awkward automatic gearbox
All versions of the C5 X came with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, and it’s not brilliant. I found it to be a bit hesitant when you put your foot down, and it can also be jerky when you try to pull out at a junction.
2. Clunky infotainment system
The 12.0-inch touchscreen in the C5 X is a bit dated by modern standards. The menu layouts are pretty confusing, and it’s not the most responsive display either. This won’t matter as much when you’re using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto though, and you do have proper knobs for the climate control.
3. The engine options
The C5 X didn’t come with the best engine options out there. You could have a 1.2-litre petrol, which was economical but pretty slow, or there was the plug-in hybrid with a pretty dismal 34 miles of electric range. The one I’d go for, however, is the 1.6 petrol with 180hp. It may be a bit thirsty, but at least it’s plenty powerful enough.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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