Citroën C5 Aircross PHEV 225 ch: Marketing or Reality?

The new Citroën C5 Aircross plug-in hybrid now advertises 225 hp versus 195 hp previously—a 30-horsepower gain. This power increase is part of a Stellantis fleet harmonization push, with zero mechanical modification to the powertrain.

"A figure more faithful to the driving pleasure this engine delivers and consistent with figures observed on the market" — Citroën

A Power Bump Without Technical Changes

This 225 hp evolution is more of an accounting adjustment than a real mechanical revolution. Under the hood: same 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with 150 hp paired with a 125 hp electric motor, integrated into the eDCS7 dual-clutch automatic with seven speeds.

The difference comes from how combined power is calculated, anticipating new homologation methods tied to the Euro 7 standard. Translation: the horsepower was always there—Citroën just counts it differently now.

Performance Numbers? Unchanged

Despite the announcement of these 30 extra horsepower, lap times haven't budged one millisecond. The 0-100 km/h sprint stays locked at 7.7 seconds, top speed remains electronically capped at 220 km/h, and the standing kilometer continues at 28.1 seconds.

Seems contradictory? It's not—because the vehicle's actual performance never changed. Only the measuring and labeling method evolved to align with future European standards.

Electric Range: Where It Actually Impresses

The real strength of the C5 Aircross PHEV lives in its electric range. With a battery rated at 21.5 kWh gross (17.8 kWh usable), it claims 96 km in mixed WLTP cycle and up to 113 km in urban driving. A 33% improvement over the previous generation—easily covering the average 34 km of daily commuting.

The fuel tank, now 55 liters, delivers roughly 650 km highway range, pushing total range past 1,100 km. Plenty of reassurance for family SUV buyers anxious about long hauls.

Real-World Difference? Zilch

On the road, this reclassification changes nothing about the driving experience. The C5 Aircross PHEV keeps its habitual refinement, with that smooth flow of instant electric torque during combined acceleration phases.

Official consumption remains steady at 2.5 L/100 km combined, with CO2 emissions at 55 g/km. Full recharge takes 5h15 on a 7.4 kW wallbox with the standard charger, or 2h55 with the optional 7.4 kW charger.

A Difficult Context for Stellantis

This move sits within a brutal year for Stellantis, which posted a net loss of €22.3 billion in 2025. Facing EV sales struggles, the group's various brands are reviving conventional and hybrid powertrains front-and-center.

At Citroën specifically, we're seeing the BlueHDi diesel reintroduced in 100 hp and 130 hp variants across several models—minivans and commercial vehicles especially. An energy diversification strategy that's clearly becoming necessary.

What About the Price?

Good news for customers: this power bump doesn't touch pricing. The C5 Aircross PHEV 225 hp keeps identical price lists as the previous 195 hp version. A bargain in an automotive market where every upgrade typically costs extra.

When's It Available?

The Citroën C5 Aircross PHEV 225 hp is already rolling into French dealerships now. This upgrade arrived less than a year after the new SUV's 2025 launch, proving the Chevron-badged brand's speed in adapting to new European regulations.

This reclassification demonstrates Citroën's pragmatic approach: no reinvention required—just honest recalibration.