Citroen C5 X

By Bill McCarthy

In the world where SUV/crossover appears to be king, introducing a large saloon, or is it an estate?, is a brave, or even an inspired move. Spotting an estate is increasingly difficult such is the svelte, aerodynamic styling of many modern models.

But the proof of the pudding is the practicality and the C5 X has that in spades. So yes, it is an estate, but an extremely striking looking one.

There are many selling points, but the starting price of just short of £28k for what is a whole lot of car, is a compelling one.

It comes in petrol and hybrid versions, the diesel seemingly consigned to the dustbin of history.

There are three trim levels, Sense Plus, Shine and the range-topping Shine Plus driven here.

This model featured the 130bhp, 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, with a powerful 180 bhp 1.6-litre four-cylinder powerplant also available.

The front of the car is striking with a V-shaped LED light signature, long roofline that ends with a floating, aerodynamic upper spoiler, while a second spoiler, in gloss black, adds to the sleek look.

Styling is further enhanced with large, diamond-cut alloys and on this model, the optional bi-tone black roof.

It looks like a premium vehicle and that impression remains with the interior. It is a roomy impressive place to be with leather, chrome and soft-touch finish giving it the upmarket ambience.

Shine and Shine Plus models get leather upholstery as standard, while Sense Plus cars feature a tweed-like fabric.

The whole interior layout is well thought out and logical and dominated by a 12-inch central touchscreen and a seven-inch information cluster behind the steering wheel.

There are big bins under the centre armrest as well as an extra slot that is ideal for your phone. Gear selection is via a centrally placed switch which does away with the traditional lever and adds to the feeling of roominess.

The boot, while still spacious, is comparatively small for an estate car and loses space because of the slung roofline.

It offers the kind of practicality found in an SUV however, with seats that can be folded flat using levers in the boot area, offering total boot space of between 545 and 1640 litres.

The brains of the car, operated via the central touchscreen features a number of apps and controls navigation where fitted, infotainment and connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The system lets you customise the home screen and the TomTom navigation system is one of the best on the market.

The test model features the now familiar three-cylinder, 1.2-litre petrol engine. It seems a small capacity to power such a large car, but copes with ease, delivering the signature three-pot rasp under acceleration.

The 130bhp unit, mated with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, powers the car to 60mph in just 10.4 seconds, while also delivering economy of around 48mpg. Impressive for a large vehicle

On the road, it feels stable and assured and Citroen’s bespoke Advanced Comfort Suspension delivers the kind of comfort reminiscent of the gas-powered suspension of yesteryears in Citroen.

Not soft, by any means but firm enough to be comfortable as on-board sensors to automatically optimise the suspension settings based on road conditions.

All Citroens score highly on safety and this model is packed with kit, both active and passive.

Equipment here included Active Safety Brake, Collision Risk Alert, 360-Vision, Long Range Blind Spot Monitoring System, Highway Integrated Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Active Lane Departure Warning System and Extended Traffic Sign Recognition and Speed Recommendation.

For those questioning the wisdom of introducing what looks like a large saloon and bucking the SUV/crossover trend, the combination of smart styling, excellent practicality and a tempting price, could prove them wrong.

C5 X Shine Plus PureTech 130 EAT8 automatic

Price: £32,160

Mechanical: 129 bhp, 1,199cc, three cylinder petrol engine driving front wheels via an eight speed automatic gearbox

Max speed: 130mph

0-62mph: 10.4 seconds

Combined mpg: 48

Insurance group: 21E

CO2 emissions: 136g/km

BIK rating: 31%

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles

Kia ProCeed T-GDI GT

By Bill McCarthy

You can sometimes get a bit blasé when writing about certain car features, with safety sometimes seeming the least sexy attraction.

When it comes to your rescue, you can see why it is so important and how the technology has leapt ahead over the years, with firms like Kia right at the forefront.

A narrow escape on the motorway would almost certainly have had more serious consequences a few years ago, but when some idiot swerved across from the outside lane at 70mph, I had to instantly wrench the steering left to avoid a catastrophic collision.

The sharp manoeuvre could have had dire consequences as I tried to get the car straight at high speed, but with traction and stability control as assisted braking kicking in and grippy tyres gaining the road hold instantly the car almost righted itself.

It’s no wonder Kia makes a play on safety when their CEO was asked what make him proud to be leading Kia in the UK. He said this latest ProCeed, (now without apostrophe and underscore, as in pro_cee’d), has been transformed compared to its predecessor with safety and driver assistance technology setting new standards in the class. And yes, it still retains the seven-year, 100k mile warranty.

The Proceed is a big car, not an estate in the true sense, but in the shooting brake mould between three door hatch and full estate.

It most certainly is a looker, and with an extended coupe-like profile, it sits lower and is longer than the Ceed.

Even more sexy-looking is this GT model with all the flashes and badges and eye-catching red brake callipers. The front end features a sporty grille and air scoop and slim, cat-like light clusters housing LED bi-function headlights.

The 18-inch alloy wheels feature red centre caps, while the air intake has a red accent on the lower lip and high gloss red side sill mouldings.

The ProCeed name is spelled out across the tailgate beneath LED where dual exhausts are also prominent.

The interior is a smart, rather than eye catching affair, being neatly and logically laid out and dominated by an large touchscreen which sits in a convenient position at eyeline level. This controls major functions like navigation, music and connectivity for smart phone via Android Auto and Apple Carplay. There is also privacy glass to the rear, dual air con. Also fitted on this model are heated front seats and steering wheel and parking camera.

The cabin it well put together and although not exactly in the executive class has leather effect powered and heated front seats which are comfortable and functional while the GT theme is dominant throughout with red contrasting stitching. A GT Performance mode has also been added to the new 4.2-inch colour cluster display.

Performance from the 1.6-litre T-GDi 201bhp petrol engine is pretty good, although it did prove thirsty.

The turbocharged unit propels the car to 60mph in around seven seconds, via the seven-speed DSG auto box. It has enough pace in standard mode, but press the sport button and everything sharpens up, you can shift the gears via steering wheel paddles, the steering gets weightier and the dual exhaust delivers a sporty thrum. Economy does take a hit and the best I managed was around 32mpg, against an official 39.3mpg.

The ride heigh is 5mm lower than the Ceed and Sportswagon, with spring and damper set up tailored to accommodate the European market. It’s a comfortable ride, but switch to sport mode and it stiffens up considerably to provide bags of grip and agility.

In practical terms, boot space is an impressive 594 litres, but fold the 60/40 split rear seats and 1,545 litres opens up. In addition and there’s a dual height luggage area floor with parcel shelf to hide luggage and valuables , with hooks and nets to keep cargo secure.

As already mentioned, it is packed with safety kit including a full complement of air bags, cross traffic alert, lane and high-beam assist, driver ward sister and forward collision warning with with Pedestrian detection also available.

As stylish as anything in its class, the ProCeed is a fine car and packed with safety kit and then there the not-so-small matter of the the seven-year, 100k miles warranty.