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Citroen C5 Aircross vs DS Automobiles DS 7 comparison

Compare performance (225 HP vs 130 HP), boot space and price (29,100 £ vs 41,900 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Citroen C5 Aircross or DS Automobiles DS 7?

Citroen C5 Aircross vs DS Automobiles DS 7: Key differences

Citroen C5 Aircross

4 (6 Reviews)
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  • considerably cheaper
  • significantly more power
  • clearly more efficient
  • substantially quicker 0–100 km/h
  • marginally lighter
  • only slightly more trunk space
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DS Automobiles DS 7

4.7 (3 Reviews)
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All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

C5 Aircross

Head-to-head: Citroen C5 Aircross VS DS Automobiles DS 7

The Citroen C5 Aircross VS DS Automobiles DS 7 comparison pits two distinct French SUVs against each other, one built around everyday comfort and the other around premium presence. This page looks beyond badges to what these crossovers actually deliver in daily life — feel, comfort, and the sort of details that matter when you park in the real world. The Citroen C5 Aircross plays the pragmatic, user-friendly card while the DS 7 leans into crafted materials and design drama, so you immediately know the debate is about character as much as capability. Read on for a no-nonsense take on how each car fits different needs and personalities before you dive into the spec sheet below.

DS 7

Two French moods: comfort versus couture

The Citroen C5 Aircross feels like a living room on wheels, soft-focused and designed to smooth the day-to-day; it's the sort of SUV that forgives potholes and long commutes. By contrast, the DS Automobiles DS 7 arrives with sharper lines, more deliberate interior styling and a sense that materials and presentation matter as much as the drive. Where the Citroen C5 Aircross aims to be instantly approachable and delightfully unflashy, the DS 7 wants to impress—subtle showmanship over homely charm. Both wear French design DNA, but their attitudes couldn't be more different: one relaxes, the other stages.

C5 Aircross

How they live day-to-day

For the daily grind, the Citroen C5 Aircross prioritises usable space, easy-entry seats and a calm ride that keeps passengers content on school runs and motorways alike. The DS Automobiles DS 7 feels tighter and more composed, rewarding smoother roads and drivers who enjoy a more planted, controlled response when twisting through traffic. Families will find the Citroen C5 Aircross forgiving and flexible, while those who split time between city errands and longer runs will appreciate the DS 7 for its refined cabin feel and perceived solidity. Both SUVs can do everyday tasks well, but they do them with different priorities—comfort-first versus polish-first.

DS 7

Buying for image: which story do you want to tell?

If your purchase is partly about signaling—showing taste, detail and a touch of exclusivity—the DS Automobiles DS 7 answers that brief with its crafted finishes and more deliberate interior design. If your decision is more about sensible choices, a relaxed driving experience and keeping passengers happy without fuss, the Citroen C5 Aircross tells a quieter, smarter story. The DS 7 often attracts buyers who enjoy being noticed for their choice of a premium compact SUV; the Citroen C5 Aircross draws those who want substance over spotlight. Neither route is wrong—it's about whether you want to blend in with comfort or stand out with refinement.

C5 Aircross

Who should steer the Citroen C5 Aircross?

Choose the Citroen C5 Aircross if you prize everyday practicality, a forgiving ride and a lower-stress ownership experience; it suits buyers who want sensible value and family-friendly versatility without sacrificing comfort. Commuters who endure long stretches of motorway and parents juggling seats, groceries and gear will appreciate how the Citroen C5 Aircross keeps life simple and predictable. It’s also a solid match for buyers who prefer to spend less on extras and more on useful kit, without feeling short-changed. If that sounds like you, the Citroen C5 Aircross makes a persuasive, down-to-earth case.

DS 7

Who should pick the DS Automobiles DS 7 (and how the Citroen C5 Aircross compares)

The DS Automobiles DS 7 suits buyers who want a premium feel, distinctive styling and a cabin that reads upmarket—perfect for someone who values image, detail and a dose of modern tech flair. If you’re the sort who enjoys sharper design, richer trims and a more composed driving character, the DS 7 will feel worth the extra attention. That said, if you then think about day-to-day family duties, the Citroen C5 Aircross remains the more relaxed, practical alternative that won’t fuss over small knocks or routine loading. Read on to the specs and numbers below to see how those impressions line up with the cold data and decide which story you want your next SUV to tell.

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

C5 Aircross

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are often the first things buyers look at. Here it becomes clear which model has the long-term edge – whether at the pump, the plug, or in purchase price.

Citroen C5 Aircross is considerably cheaper – starting at 29,100 £ , while the DS Automobiles DS 7 costs 41,900 £ . That’s a price difference of around 12,788 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Citroen C5 Aircross uses 2.5 L/100km and is clearly more efficient than the DS Automobiles DS 7 with 5.5 L/100km. The difference is about 3 L/100km.

DS 7

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the Citroen C5 Aircross offers significantly more power – delivering 225 HP compared to 130 HP. That’s roughly 95 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Citroen C5 Aircross is substantially quicker – completing the sprint in 8.3 s, while the DS Automobiles DS 7 takes 11.9 s. That’s about 3.6 s quicker.

Both models offer the same torque – 300 Nm.

C5 Aircross

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Citroen C5 Aircross is marginally lighter – 1,629 kg compared to 1,651 kg. The difference is around 22 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Citroen C5 Aircross offers only slightly more boot space – 565 L compared to 555 L. That’s a difference of about 10 L.

When it comes to payload, the Citroen C5 Aircross carries somewhat more – 471 kg compared to 399 kg. That’s a difference of about 72 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Citroen C5 Aircross holds a decisive overall lead in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £29,100
C5 Aircross

Citroen C5 Aircross

  • Engine Type Petrol MHEV, Electric, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission Automatic
  • Drive Type Front-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 145 - 225 HP
  • Consumption L/100km 2.5 - 5.4 L/100km
  • Consumption kWh/100km 17 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range 81 - 520 km
Citroen C5 Aircross
DS Automobiles DS 7

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

Citroen C5 Aircross

The Citroën C5 Aircross feels like a sofa on wheels, delivering a calm, floaty ride and clever packaging that makes life with luggage and kids noticeably easier. Quirky French styling and a supremely practical, family-focused cabin mean it quietly wins hearts by prioritising comfort over showroom bravado.

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DS Automobiles DS 7

The DS 7 wraps Parisian elegance into SUV practicality, with sculpted surfaces, a jewel-like grille and an interior that feels more boutique lounge than family transporter. It appeals to buyers who want style and comfort without shouting, delivering a refined ride and clever tech that make daily driving feel a little more special — and yes, it’ll turn heads in the school run.

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Citroen C5 Aircross
DS Automobiles DS 7

Costs and Consumption

Price
29,100 - 43,000 £
Price
41,900 - 46,100 £
Consumption L/100km
2.5 - 5.4 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
5.5 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
17 kWh/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
81 - 520 km
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
0 - 121 g/km
co2
145 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,629 - 2,184 kg
Curb weight
1,651 kg
Trunk capacity
565 L
Trunk capacity
555 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,870 mm
Width
1,891 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
446 - 471 kg
Payload
399 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Electric, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Diesel
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic, Reduction Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
145 - 225 HP
Power HP
130 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8.3 - 11.2 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
11.9 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
230 - 300 Nm
Torque
300 Nm
Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
107 - 165 kW
Power kW
96 kW
Engine capacity
1,199 - 1,598 cm3
Engine capacity
1,499 cm3

General

Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, A, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
E
Brand
Citroen
Brand
DS Automobiles
DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.