Based on the Citroen C-SportLounge concept penned by Jean-Pierre Ploué, the DS5 was the third model to make its way into the premium DS line-up back in 2011. Making its first public appearance at the Shanghai Auto Show, the DS5 went on to becoming the first Citroen branded vehicle to be assembled at Peugeot’s European plant in Sochaux.
| Key Features: | |
| Engine | 1.6L / 4-cyl |
| Transmission | 6 Speed Automatic |
| Power | 164hp / 240NM |
| Top Speed | 202 km/h |
| Price | AED 115,000 |
Exterior
Belonging to the Compact Executive (D-Segment) of the market, the 2016 Citroen DS5 finds itself up against segment heavyweights such as the BMW 3-Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Sitting on a set of 18-inch Adelaide alloys completed in a Brilliant Grey hue, the DS5 features deeply sculpted contours that run the length of the vehicle and lend it a truly unique identity.
With a generous splash of chrome along the bodywork and a broad mien composed of a honeycomb grille and large fog lamp housings, the DS5 is instantly recognizable as an offering from the French manufacturer. The two-tone side mirrors are a sleek addition and blend effortlessly into the 4,530mm long silhouette of the DS5.
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Interior
Keeping up the quirky and unconventional image of the brand, the 2016 Citroen DS5 is home to three sunroofs, two sunglass holders and one Porsche-esque center console. Sleek and with a decent quality of materials used all around, the capacious cabin of the DS5 offers great amounts of leg-room for all occupants within the cabin. Rear head-room, however, is encroached by the aesthetically appealing sloping roofline line.
Safety & Tech
Equipped as standard with a plethora of safety features, the DS5’s 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating is no surprise. In addition to ABS and EBD which are standard affair, the DS5 features Automatic Headlights, Cornering Lights, a Head-Up Display and an Intelligent Traction Control system that makes driving over sand, mud and wet roads a lot safer.
Although the French D-segment offering lacks an infotainment screen, it offers a simple yet effective radio unit (with steering-wheel controls) which is intuitive and delivers impressive audio quality, with distortion only evident at extremely high volumes.
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Drive
Powered by an engine co-developed with BMW, the Citroen DS5 houses a 1.6 liter 4-cylinder engine that directs 164 horsepower and 240 Nm of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission to the front wheels. In doing so, it hits the 100 km/h mark in 10.4 seconds and bears an impressive top speed of 202 km/h.
With the suspension catered to offering a sportier ride, it falls on the stiffer side of the spectrum and allows for some spirited driving with very limited amounts of body roll. Working as a double-edged sword, however, the stiff suspension also equates to a harsh and relatively bumpy ride at all times.
The six-speed automatic transmission, which works wonderfully when cruising around town, gets flustered just as quickly once the accelerator pedal is pushed deep into the footwell. Holding on to gears for much too long, the indecisive transmission simply applauds for itself with a prominent drone after offering a short burst of acceleration.
Verdict
The 2016 Citroen DS5, though absolutely stunning on the aesthetics front, comes across as an overpriced offering in the French manufacturer’s line-up. With a lot of ground to cover before being able to truly compete with the Germans, the true rivals to the DS5 might be the Japanese after all.
Pros:
Futuristic cabin
Height adjustable Head-Up Display
Unique exterior design
Cons:
Rear headroom sacrificed due to sloping roofline
Auto Park Brake not as responsive as one would like
Seems overpriced for what it offers
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