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Citroen show off their first 4x4
First blood ... Citroen enter the 4x4 market
CITROEN’s new C-Crosser is ready to try to make people smile about SUVs again.
With its huge gaping, grinning front grille, 40mpg capability and well under 200g/km CO2 rating, there’s no menace in the C-Crosser - even Ken Livingstone might like this 4x4.
Despite being spacious with the ability to seat up to seven, the C-Crosser actually isn’t big. Lengthwise, it’s halfway between a C4 Picasso and a Citroen C8 MPV.
Its arrival is a boost for Citroen who have been left trailing by the demand for modern, fashionable 4x4s. The French firm have teamed up with Mitsubishi and Peugeot to release three new SUVs sharing platforms and engines - but basically with different faces. We’ve already seen the new Mitsubishi Outlander with Peugeot’s 4007 to come later in the year. This Citroen version is undoubtedly the best looking of the three.
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And then there were three ... the Mitsubishi Outlander |
The chassis is from Mitsubishi and the Outlander will also soon adopt the 156bhp, 2.2litre HDi diesel engine from Peugeot-Citroen to underline the partnership.
The C-Crosser proved to be something of a gem when driven in the Pyrenees, a mountainous region of France with highly demanding roads. Over a narrow, winding and seemingly ever-upwards route, it gave us an extremely smooth ride.
With selectable two-wheel-drive to the front, all-wheel drive (the norm) and a lock-up option, the C-Crosser is not a down-and-dirty 4x4 but it is more than capable of traversing rough terrain.
However, its forte is on the road where it glides along with little road, wind or engine noise and with its body tautly controlled so there is virtually no roll in corners.
The steering is one of this SUV’s best features and the powerful brakes are not far behind.
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Around the corner ... Peugeot's 4007 |
A purchase price of £22,790 might appear steep but consider what you get: fold-away rear seats, electrically folding centre row, split tailgate for easy loading, up to 1,700litres of cargo space on a flat floor, selectable drive mode, two-tone alloy wheels and a very pleasant six-speed gearbox.
That’s with the VTR+ and the £25,490 Exclusive adds a bit more equipment.
The C-Crosser is no gas guzzler so really appealed to me. It’s a lovely drive, extremely comfortable, undemanding to own and sensationally well made.
And I loved its personality, something many SUVs are decidedly short of.
At last a 4x4 to make you smile.
Reviewed by David Ross @ The Sun