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Citroen C5 Aircross vs VW Passat comparison

Compare performance (225 HP vs 272 HP), boot space and price (29,100 £ vs 36,500 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Citroen C5 Aircross or VW Passat?

Citroen C5 Aircross vs VW Passat: Key differences

Citroen C5 Aircross

4 (6 Reviews)
rate
  • markedly cheaper
  • considerably more electric range
details

VW Passat

4.8 (4 Reviews)
rate
  • somewhat more power
  • significantly more efficient
  • slightly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • very slightly lighter
  • slightly more trunk space
details

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

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 markedly cheaper – starting at 29,100 £ , while the VW Passat costs 36,500 £ . That’s a price difference of around 7,328 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the VW Passat uses 1.2 L/100km and is significantly more efficient than the Citroen C5 Aircross with 2.5 L/100km. The difference is about 1.3 L/100km.

As for electric range, the Citroen C5 Aircross offers considerably more range – reaching up to 520 km, about 385 km more than the VW Passat.

Passat

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 VW Passat offers somewhat more power – delivering 272 HP compared to 225 HP. That’s roughly 47 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the VW Passat is slightly quicker – completing the sprint in 7.1 s, while the Citroen C5 Aircross takes 8.3 s. That’s about 1.2 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the VW Passat delivers clearly more torque with 400 Nm compared to 300 Nm. That’s about 100 Nm more.

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, VW Passat is very slightly lighter – 1,573 kg compared to 1,629 kg. The difference is around 56 kg.

Looking at boot space, the VW Passat offers slightly more boot space – 690 L compared to 565 L. That’s a difference of about 125 L.

When it comes to payload, the VW Passat carries somewhat more – 577 kg compared to 471 kg. That’s a difference of about 106 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The VW Passat stands out in the key areas 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 £36,500
Passat

VW Passat

  • Engine Type Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission Automatic
  • Drive Type Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 122 - 272 HP
  • Consumption L/100km 1.2 - 5.8 L/100km
  • Electric Range 124 - 135 km
details

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Citroen C5 Aircross
DS Automobiles DS 7
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Citroen C5 Aircross
VW Passat

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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Reviews Citroen C5 Aircross

4 (6 Reviews)
rate
Claude Juillet
3 May 2026, 14:17:36

I drive the 1.2 petrol hybrid from new since January 2026, which was registered in November 2025. Great car to drive. However, for tall person like myself, there is not enough room for your left keg to stretch and cramps happen in long journeys. Acceleration from start is better than my older 1.6 diesel c4 picasso. Overall best car I ever had, although infotainment a bit dodgy with a left hand and not at all practical. I minor inconvenience!

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Leisure / Weekend driver
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
Jan Hansen
10 Apr 2026, 21:38:06

It's a pleasant car; it's not coarse or brutal. As a 60-year-old, I don't need acceleration or top speed.

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Leisure / Weekend driver
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
privat
27 Mar 2026, 16:55:05

Cars like the C5 Aircross are probably one reason why Stellantis is almost bankrupt — or already is.
Uncomfortable and completely unsuitable for long-distance driving.
Huge on the outside, small on the inside.
Extremely uncomfortable seats, poor infotainment, very bad driver aids (360° camera, cruise control, lane-keep assist, navigation… are really awful), confusing, poor road manners, loud engine and noisy wind.
I can only hope that I’ll never again be forced to drive this vehicle.

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Company car / Business
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
Alexis vasquez
15 Feb 2026, 21:03:58

I find the Citroën better suited to my daily driving — more comfortable and efficient, with a softer suspension compared with the firmer Toyota Cross.

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Commuter (short/medium distance)
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money

VW Passat

The VW Passat is the grown-up family car that gets the basics absolutely right — roomy, comfortable and built to handle weekday commutes and weekend getaways without fuss. It won't set your pulse racing, but its calm composure and sensible packaging make it boring in the best possible way: a dependable, no‑drama choice for buyers who value practicality over flash.

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DB2019AU00698_large
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Reviews VW Passat

4.8 (4 Reviews)
rate
Voller
28 May 2026, 16:12:12

That's just a Passat. Too expensive in my opinion, but it's up to each person to decide whether to throw their money into VW's maw. The car itself is somehow a legend.

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Company car / Business
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
Sjaak
5 Dec 2025, 19:42:23

Spacious car that drives nicely and keeps its value for a long time.

Jack
5 Dec 2025, 15:24:16

Pleasant to drive, roomy and solid. The hybrid version is also very economical.

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Citroen C5 Aircross
VW Passat

Costs and Consumption
Price
29,100 - 43,000 £
Price
36,500 - 58,500 £
Consumption L/100km
2.5 - 5.4 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
1.2 - 5.8 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
17 kWh/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
81 - 520 km
Electric Range
124 - 135 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
0 - 121 g/km
co2
28 - 153 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
SUV
Body Type
Estate
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,629 - 2,184 kg
Curb weight
1,573 - 1,858 kg
Trunk capacity
565 L
Trunk capacity
510 - 690 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,870 mm
Width
1,849 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
446 - 471 kg
Payload
501 - 577 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Electric, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic, Reduction Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
145 - 225 HP
Power HP
122 - 272 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8.3 - 11.2 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
7.1 - 10.7 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
230 - 300 Nm
Torque
250 - 400 Nm
Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
107 - 165 kW
Power kW
90 - 200 kW
Engine capacity
1,199 - 1,598 cm3
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,968 cm3

General
Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, A, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E, B
Brand
Citroen
Brand
VW
Is the Citroen C5 Aircross offered with different drivetrains?

The Citroen C5 Aircross is offered with Front-Wheel Drive.

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.