As the C5 Aircross heads back to base, Martyn Collins ruminates on its many high points.

One of the C5 Aircross’s last long trips was with the family to the Longleat Safari Park

Sadly, the C5 Aircross is now back with its French maker, but that didn’t stop me piling the miles on our Citroën before it went. One of its last long trips was with the family to the Longleat Safari Park, which crystallised my feelings towards this SUV.

I’d normally dread the thought of a long, early Sunday drive – especially one literally after the clocks went back for autumn! But the C5 Aircross got off to a good start, with the exceptional support from the Advance Comfort Seats. Although as we head into winter, I really wished they were heated! An omission in my opinion, as that partial leatherette trim got particularly cold first thing in the morning!

Then there’s the well-matched engine and transmission. Arguably a better C5 Aircross fleet option would be the 1.5-litre BlueHDi 130 diesel, with its lower consumption and CO2 figures (54.4mpg and 122g/km). However, this 1.6-litre petrol, with the EAT8 automatic transmission is smoother, with plenty of low-down grunt, and consumption didn’t waver far from 42mpg over 4,000 miles. Although that is a bit adrift of Citroën’s combined figure of 49.6mpg.

Although not the most involving car to drive, trips like this one – which entailed plenty of motorway work – made me appreciate how undemanding the C5 Aircross was to drive. In fact, there were very few occasions during my time with this Citroën where I would have traded some comfort for a bit of dynamism. The ‘Progressive Hydraulic Cushions’ fitted to each shock absorber controlling the suspension work really well, giving a super-soft ride – ideal when stuck in slow-moving traffic for two hours on the way home! Great car, great Citroën.

P11D (BiK): £30,605 (29%) MPG/CO2: 55.1 (WLTP) /124g/km (NEDC Correlated) Test MPG:42mpg