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The new Citroen C5 is closely based on the C5 Airscape concept, first seen at the 2008 Frankfurt show. And in design terms it is very obviously influenced by the Teutonic feel of the Airscape.

Mechanically it is closely related to the C6, however, so in essence what we’re talking about is a cheaper, more traditional-looking version of the excellent (and quirky) C6.

In its marketing spiel for the C5, Citroën claims its new Mondeo rival is “Reassuringly German. Unmistakably Cit...Read the full article

I have been driving a 2.0 VTR+ for a while now and feel the need to comment as I have yet to see a review of the C5 which was on steel suspension. The performance and economy are both very competitive and will match all the obvious alternatives. You will also find the overall feel of quality and durability in a different class compared to the previous C5 and most other Citroens. However I have to respond to the the constant comments I get that I must love the car because it is so comfortable. Quite frankly it is not. The steering wheel is awkward to hold and on long journeys creates tension in your neck and shoulders. Also not sure why but the seat base makes my legs ache after half an hour. The suspension on the VTR+ is steel springs but it is the softest I have ever experienced, on the motorway it is constantly floating up and down or if only one side hits a bump you get a corkscrew motion. After a while this gets really frustrating and if you have passengers they start to feel sick. The worst scenario is a wet and windy motorway where the floppy suspension and complete lack of feel in the steering make crosswinds a nightmare. There are aspects of this car which some people will like but do not be taken in by this myth that it is supremely comfortable, if you do a lot of motorway miles please try before you buy.

I bought this car in Tourer form having convinced myself that I was going to replace my Peugeot 406 Family Estate (a beautifully balanced car) with a Passat. I test-drove Passats and found their ride was not dissimilar to that of an ox-cart. I persisted--after all, German cars are better. Then Citroen invited me to drive their C5. Suddenly I was back home.

Yes, the suspension is soft at a certain level and it likes to wobble a bit when your jogging along, but drive it round a 90 degree bend and you will discover it goes round on rails.

The dashboard is supposed to be 'fussy': I think it is elegant, interesting and well laid out. The instruments shine like jewels but are also extremely effective. With the optional digital speedometer, say goodbye to speed cameras and speed fines.

On long journeys, all the family comment on how comfortable and spacious this car is. Their entire clobber fits neatly in the back.

When I drive or stop anywhere, grown men look at this motor like it was the newest Ferrari or Aston.

 What more do you want from a car?

alfresco:

What more do you want from a car?

Autocar RoadTest:

"Which is just as well, because handling is not a strong suit. There’s nothing obviously amiss with the way the C5 behaves, but the lack of agility comes as quite a surprise the first time you realise just how much inertia there is if you try too hard on the road. The overwhelming impression is that you are driving a car that’s simply not designed to be driven with any speed or enthusiasm."

The bit that's lacking please.

Who am I to argue with Autocar, for indeed it is an honourable car magazine? They say the C5 lacks agility, and it is an honourable car magazine, but I drive it every morning taking one of my children to school on a road  via Dunsfold, which may be the worst cambered road in Britain and the car negotiates every reverse-cambered bend with style and agility.

They say the C5 exhibits inertia, and Autocar is an honourable car magazine, but in a car containing three passengers on windy roads full of pot holes the passengers keep commenting on how comfortable the car is and the driver keeps thinking how agile and secure the car is.

Autocar say this car cannot be driven with speed or enthusiasm, and Autocar is an honourable car magazine, yet due to the amount of time one of my children spends in the shower I have either to enter a time warp or emulate Emerson Fittipaldi in the JPS (forgive the lack of sideburns) or Jenson Button in the McLaren so that I can get them to school on time on said windy, uncambered, potholed roads. In short, I drive with both speed and enthusiasm and return safely and unflustered having enjoyed the drive home and the conversation with my youngest .

 This car offers an exceptional ride but also handles well.