The Citroën C5 Aircross I (Phase 2 / Facelift), facelifted in early 2022, modernizes its front end (abandoning the split dual headlights) and improves its interior with a new 10-inch touchscreen and reworked Advanced Comfort seats. Positioned as the most comfort- and modularity-focused compact SUV (3 independent rear seats) in its segment, it shares its EMP2 platform with the Peugeot 3008. However, its overall reliability rating is heavily burdened by the Stellantis group's widely distributed combustion engines: the 1.2 PureTech (wet belt) and the 1.5 BlueHDi (7 mm camshaft chain). The arrival in late 2023 of the 1.2 Hybrid 136 micro-hybrid version (with a timing chain) attempts to correct the situation, but the used market requires extreme vigilance regarding the maintenance history.
The facelifted Citroën C5 Aircross remains the undisputed king of comfort and modularity in the compact SUV category. However, buying used is a real minefield mechanically. You must avoid the classic 1.2 PureTech 130 unless the engine has been recently replaced with an active warranty. The same goes for the 1.5 BlueHDi if it has not been made reliable with the 8 mm chain. The buying verdict is therefore conditional: absolutely favor the new 1.2 Hybrid 136 (MHEV) version introduced in late 2023, which corrects the belt defect with a chain, or turn to the PHEV versions (ensuring that all fire/battery safety recalls have been carried out).