√2023 Citroen C5 Aircross facelift confirmed for Australia

French brand Citroen has locked in an updated mid-size SUV for Australia, with a new look and more technology – but it’s unclear when it will go on sale.

The facelifted 2023 Citroen C5 Aircross has been locked in for Australia – though showroom arrival timing is yet to be confirmed.

Revealed in January, the updated C5 Aircross was initially marked as “under evaluation” for the Australian market – however Citroen’s local distributor has since confirmed the car for sale locally, after it appeared in Australian government documents.

However, when it will go on sale remains to be seen, with a company spokesperson telling Drive: “We can confirm the new Citroen C5 Aircross will be joining the Australian product range. Further information, including launch timings, will be made available in the coming months.”

Launching in Europe four years after the original, the facelifted C5 Aircross mid-size SUV introduces a revised look, with single-piece, twin-stripe LED headlights, as well as new bumpers, tail-lights and wheel designs.

Inside, the current model’s integrated infotainment touchscreen has been swapped for a tablet-style 10-inch display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and satellite navigation, plus support (in Europe) for a smartphone companion app.

The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster carries over, though there is a new centre console with a toggle-switch gear selector, a drive mode switch and an extra USB port. The C4 and C5 X’s Advanced Comfort leather or Alcantara front seats feature, filled with foam.

Citroen’s Australian importer is yet to confirm which engines will be offered here, however three options have been certified in government documents: 121kW and 133kW versions of a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine, and a 130kW 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine.

There’s no guarantee all of these options will be made available to Australian customers, though.

The same three powertrains have been certified for the current model – but only one, the 121kW/240Nm 1.6-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder, is available in showrooms, with a six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive.

What is unlikely to reach Australia is the European-market plug-in hybrid, combining a 132kW 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine with an 81kW electric motor and 13.2kWh battery pack to develop 165kW combined, and travel up to a claimed 55km on a full battery charge.

This PHEV powertrain has not been certified for sale in Australia – much like the upcoming C5 X wagon, which is limited to a 133kW 1.6-litre petrol engine locally.

Pricing for the 2023 Citroen C5 Aircross will be revealed closer to its local launch, and it remains to be seen if it’s hit with a price rise compared to the current model, which is sold in a single Shine specification from $52,300 plus on-road costs.

That represents an $8310 hike in three years, compared to the $43,990 plus on-road costs list price the C5 Aircross Shine launched with in 2019. A cheaper Feel model was offered at the time for $39,990, but has since been axed.

In that time, the C5 Aircross has gained standard LED headlights, and the option of a sunroof ($1995) – but due to semiconductor shortages has lost blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking sensors.

Stay tuned to Drive for launch timing for the 2023 Citroen C5 Aircross, once it’s announced for Australia.

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