Citroen: A certain je ne sais quois

Citroen's stylish C5 is designed to cosset you and your family through daily commutes or holiday cruises. Photo / Supplied

I've got a soft spot for Citroens. Those I've driven in recent years have done what they're designed to do well, with a liberal dash of French flair. Yet French flair doesn't guarantee supply, and dealers have been as short of cars to sell as customers with cash to buy them.

But no longer - hence the C5 recently parked in my drive.

This wasn't a model to ignite my inner rally king; it's designed to cosset you and your family through daily commutes or holiday cruises.

That means a 2.0-litre turbo diesel delivering a decent 340Nm dollop of torque at 2000rpm and a relaxed 120kW of power at an equally relaxed 3750rpm, delivered through a six-speed auto transmission.

It means third-gen hydractive hydro-electronic suspension with auto height adjust - which translates as very comfy, but a bit too plush in "normal" mode, let alone "sport". Even my partner's comfort-loving mum was happy with that selected.

It also means an enormous list of features for this "Exclusive" spec, with nine airbags - including side airbags for the rear seats; rear window blinds; a tuneful "seatbelt unfastened" warning in place of the more usual annoying beeps; door pockets that light up as your hands approach; and a speed limiter for the cruise control that can catch you out.

Select it in error, and far from keeping you at your selected speed unless you press the throttle, it'll actually prevent you from going over that speed. No excuse for speeding tickets, but disconcerting if you forget it's on and need an overtaking burst ...

I must admit I did like this interior; it's smart, it feels great - that soft-touch dash is so yielding it's almost spongy - and the seat massager's regular pressures on your lower spine will feel odd at first, then indispensable as you get used to it.

Meanwhile, the engine may not be exciting, but it pulls strongly enough for real-world applications while drinking like an automotive camel; my hilly commute and attempts at hoonery returned a 6.9l/100km average, just a tenth of a litre above the claim.

Citroen's a bit worried that this variant's $62,990 cost will put buyers off, so sells a $54,990 "Comfort" version with smaller 17-inch wheels, without the leather or the seat massager, with "only" seven airbags and fewer metal and chrome frills inside and out.

CITROEN C5 2.0 HDi EXCLUSIVE AUTO

We like
Comfy, refined and well thought out cabin with lots of nice detail; frugal engine

We don't like
Suspension predictable and controlled but over-plush, even in sport mode

What it's got
18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone, climate-control air, front and rear park assist, leather steering wheel and seats heated up front with driver seat massager, cruise control, auto lights and wipers, heated mirrors and Bluetooth

Powertrain
1997cc, four-cylinder, high-pressure, direct-injection turbo diesel with particle filter, 120kW at 3750rpm, 340Nm at 2000rpm, six-speed auto drives front wheels

Performance
0-100km/h in 10 seconds, 6.8l/100km (claim)

Safety
Nine airbags, ABS, stability control

Vital stats
4779mm long, 431-litre boot, 71-litre tank