After pulling the plug in 2016, Citroën is back in South Africa with an all-new business model and some brand-new cars.
At the lower-end of the SUV market it’s introducing the C3 Aircross, which shares a platform and engine with the Peugeot 2008 and Opel Crossland X.
The quirky crossover is only available with one engine and gearbox combination. The 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol packs an 81kW/205Nm punch. This power is sent to the front wheels only via a slick six-speed gearbox.
Two derivates are available – Feel and Shine. The entry-level Feel is equipped with all the good stuff you want, while the Shine adds a number of niceties that’ll make any commute a joy, including climate control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and automatic headlamps as well as rain sensing wipers.
The Feel retails for R339 900, while the Shine costs R359 900.
At the other end of the spectrum we find the new C5 Aircross, which happens to be a top-selling vehicle in Europe.
It’s also only available with one engine and gearbox combination. Rated at 121kW and 240Nm of torque, the four-cylinder turbocharged petrol does an admirable job of powering the C5. For a front-wheel drive car, it handles a gravel road rather splendidly.
The C5 Aircross is available in two specifications, also called Feel and Shine.
In this SUV the Feel model is equipped with a lot of kit, including a touch screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital instrument cluster, dual-zone climate control, six airbags and 18-inch alloys.
The Shine models adds a number of luxury items like wireless phone charging, keyless entry, as well as added safety in the form of Active City Brake and Blind Spot Monitoring.
The Feel retails for R469 900, while the Shine retails for R509 000.
All new Citroëns come as standard with a five-year/100 000km service plan and warranty.