The Good, the Bad & the Ugly
Having proved that
Citroën’s new C5 Aircross
can survive some
tough going in Morocco
(January 2019 issue), we
thought we’d take it upon
ourselves to build one
much like the non-UK
model we drove out there.
So our Aircross is in Flair
specification – the trim
that comes as standard
with Citroën’s Advanced
Comfort seats – with
the PureTech 180 petrol
engine and automatic
gearbox. We’re aiming for
maximum chill with our
spec.
Starting price: £28,325
SPEC EXPERT
BUILD THE PERFECT
CITROËN C5 AIRCROSS
Stand out from the crowd with Citroën’s comfy crossoverFor the interior, the way to
go is half-leather, half-cloth
on the upholstery, as the
cloth half really emphasises
how soft those Advanced
Comfort seats are. A two-
tone Metropolitan Grey and
Graphite colour scheme
is standard – you have to
pay extra for full leather.
Flair includes connected
nav, reversing camera and
Citroën’s ConnectedCAM
dash camera.
Running total: £28,325For the exterior, it’s a
sea of whites, silvers and
blacks, a slightly murky
metallic blue – or the
only colour that really
sticks out, Volcano Red
(£545), which is more
orange, really. It’s a gloss
colour, and it’s the one
that brings out the best
in the styling of the C5.
We’ve complemented it
with white inserts in the
front bumper and side
sills, and made it bi-tone
with the Perla Nera Black
roof (£250). We’ve kept
the standard 18-inch Swirl
alloys to maximise ride
comfort.
Running total: £29,120APRIL 2019 | CARMAGAZINE.CO.UK 151ALHAMBRA
> A big box with slidey doors and seven proper seats;
its puts family first, but also drives well
> VERDICT Genetically identical to the VW Sharan,
but nearly £2k less
SKODACITIGO
> Skoda’s all but identical version of the VW Up and
Seat Mii. Well packaged but too noisy and slow >
VERDICT Cheaper than the Up, but not by much.
Hyundai i10 also worth a look
FABIA HATCH/ESTATE
> Mature supermini that’s best on small wheels
and modest petrol engine. Estate version ideal for
Jack Russells > VERDICT Roomy, well made and
dynamically well sorted – like the low-rent VW
Polo it is
RAPID HATCH/SPACEBACK
DIES
SOON> Long, narrow notchback. Big boot.
Spaceback is shorter, still dross
> VERDICT Unless you’ve got a lot of
potatoes and no other way to carry them, just don’t
OCTAVIA HATCH/ESTATE
> Basically the same as a Golf and A3, but bigger,
cheaper and more functional. Hot vRS versions
old-school ballistic fun. 4x4s practical
> VERDICT It’s a lot of car for the money
SUPERB SALOON/ESTATE
> So vast inside it echoes. Sharp lines, stacks of kit,
double the number of umbrellas. Shame about dull
interior and stiff price > VERDICT All the family car
you’ll ever need. Only bigger
KAROQ
> A miniature Kodiaq: practical, sharply styled and
comfortable. Shame it’s just not as likeable as its
predecessor, even in more rugged Scout spec
> VERDICT RIP Yeti
KODIAQ
> Vast SUV takes the Octavia approach by bulking
out on a shared platform, but doesn’t share its
dazzling personality. Hot vRS version expensive
overkill > VERDICT The most comfortable place to
die a little inside
SMARTFORTWO
> Wider than the last one, with a much better ride,
higher quality cabin and slicker auto > VERDICT A
brilliant city runabout
FORFOUR
> Renault/Merc tie-up means ForFour is
accomplished, with a classy cabin, although
ludicrous pricing seem at odds with targeted
budget city car buyers > VERDICT Its sister car, the
Renault Twingo, is more than two grand cheaper.
Work that out
SSANGYONGKORANDO
> Borderline rubbish to drive but more practical than
the Teflon-coated trousers you’re probably wearing
if you’re giving it serious consideration > VERDICT
Huge, handy and hellish value, but we’d have a
used Nissan or CX-5 any day
REXTON
> SY’s poshest SUV yet, which admittedly isn’t
saying a huge amount. Think old Discovery and
you’re not actually that far off > VERDICT Far less
rubbish than the last one
TURISMO
> Less odious than the old Rodius, but every bit as
practical, this giant seven-seater is slower than the
Crossrail boring machine > VERDICT Has minicab
written all over it, or soon will, which will handily
help disguise the ugliness
TIVOLI
> There’s no getting away from it: Korea’s
also-ran car maker has finally built a contender.
Great value, spacious and – get this – well-
finished inside > VERDICT If they do this again
the dross heritage is under threatSUBARU
IMPREZA
> Yes, it still exists beyond WRX and STi. No, you
don’t want one. Boggo Impreza reduced to a 1.6
petrol hatchback only with optional CVT. Shudder
> VERDICT Have you got a brand new combine
harvester? It’s probably a better drive
LEVORG
> Impreza estate with a silly name. Single choice
of 1.6 petrol with CVT auto and 4wd means it’s got
a silly drivetrain too > VERDICT Levorg is grovel
backwards; dealers may need to. Niche, as is all too
common with Subaru
XV
> We admire the engineering that goes into the
XV but you have to pay through the nose for it and
you’re limited to a petrol, all-wheel-drive and CVT
powertrain that dims the driving pleasure
> VERDICT Another very niche Subaru
FORESTER
> Appealingly functional square-rigger is the kind
of crossover that existed before we had ‘lifestyles’.
Good on road, great off it, not cheap
> VERDICT A solid old-school Subaru. Tweed cap,
pipe, sheep flock optional
OUTBACK
> The unloved Legacy’s only UK legacy is this
Allroad-style crossover. It’s huge inside and
the 4x4 look isn’t all for show > VERDICT
Dependable, not desirable
BRZ
> Gloriously simple but under-nourished rear-
drive boxer coupe, crying out for a supercharger.
Toyota GT86 twin marginally more fun > VERDICT
Loveable car we wanted them to make but you
don’t want to buy
SUZUKICELERIO
> Braking-phobic city car is otherwise spacious,
full of kit and cheap. Three-cylinder petrol engine
only, plus all the handling vigour of a B&Q Value
wheelbarrow > VERDICT Dowdy and rowdy. Stop
complaining and be grateful you’ve got DAB and
a cupholder
SWIFT
> An unsung hero, and not just the excellent
134bhp Sport. Handles well, spacious and cheap.
Upgraded Dualjet motor sweet > VERDICT Buy one
and challenge anyone who questions your choice
to a fistfight
BALENO
> The biggest of Suzuki’s small cars, but not a Focus
rival by a long shot. Brand traits come through
here: hollow interior, bargain price but fun to drive if
you’re prepared to work with it > VERDICT Practical,
unpretentious, almost entirely forgettable
SX4 S-CROSS
> The cheap way to clone a Nissan Qashqai. Won’t
score any points for style – in fact you might be
encouraged by your kids (and everybody else’s
kids) to hide it at the back of the school car park.
Diesel is the best bet, if not an attractive one
> VERDICT A crossover to be cross over
JIMNY
> It’s a mini Tonka toy! Still supreme off road and,
now, there’s few else like it on sale. It’s slow, still
not great on road, but we know what we’d have
in a zombie apocalypse > VERDICT So incredibly
loveable we forgive its road manners
VITARA
> Two-tone cross-dresser to rival the Nissan Juke,
with handsome body and economical diesel engine
or a lively petrol, and genuine all-wheel-drive ability.
Cabin could do with some work, though > VERDICT
Rutting rhinos and pink paint a thing of the past: it’s
a serious family car now, but still good value
TESLAMODEL 3
> An affordable electric vehicle you actually want to
drive? Say it ain’t so. Impressive performance, taut
but spine-breaking dynamics, clean interior
> VERDICT Musk’s watershed moment – if only he
could build them at anything approaching a rate toTOTAL PRICE: £30,270
We’ve also added the
Techno Pack (£750), which
brings a wireless charger
for the centre console and
a hands-free tailgate, and
Grip Control (£400) – a
useful extension of traction
control that helps you
through snow and mud.
Total price: £30,270