Citroen C5 Aircross vs Peugeot 3008 – Which SUV is the better one among the French siblings?

Citroen recently gave a midlife refresh to its flagship SUV in India, the C5 Aircross. While it continues to have a very unique design language, Citroen has tweaked it more in and out for a fresher-looking appeal which makes it a more mature design compared to its predecessor. Speaking of unique-looking SUVs, the C5 Aircross’s distant sibling based on the same platform, the Peugeot 3008, was also given a design update a few years ago, which made the SUV even more striking to look at, as compared to what it was.

While the Peugeot 3008 is yet to reach the Indian shores, we have compared both Citroen C5 Aircross and Peugeot 3008 on every single parameter and find out if you need the 3008 in India: 

Price

Citroen launched the facelifted C5 Aircross in 2022 in a single fully-loaded variant, as compared to the two variant lineups of the pre-facelifted version. Available with dual-tone paint schemes as standard, the Citroen C5 Aircross is now available at Rs 36.67 lakh. On the other hand, the Peugeot 3008 is not available in India, and Peugeot has no plans to introduce this SUV in India either.

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Engine and Performance

The Citroen C5 Aircross facelift continues to come powered with the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine from the pre-facelifted version, which happens to be the only engine option for the flagship SUV from Citroen in India. Available with an 8-speed automatic gearbox as standard, this engine is smooth and tractable and generates a maximum power output of 176 bhp and a maximum torque output of 400 Nm.

The Peugeot 3008, on the other hand, is available with both petrol and diesel engine options, though it is the version with the 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel engine which is the more apt rival to the Citroen C5 Aircross. Available with both the options of a 6-speed manual and an 8-speed automatic gearbox, this engine produces 128 bhp of maximum power and 300 Nm of maximum torque. Both the Citroen C5 Aircross and Peugeot 3008 are available with front-wheel drive configurations as standard.

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Exterior and Dimension

If you consider all the dimensions, you will find that the Citroen C5 Aircross is the larger SUV out of the two in every sense. The Citroen C5 Aircross is 53mm longer, 128mm wider and 86mm taller than the Peugeot 3008, while also having a 55mm longer wheelbase and 60 litres more space in the boot compartment. Being a larger SUV out of the two, the Citroen C5 Aircross is also around 281 kgs heavier than the Peugeot 3008.

Design

With the facelift, the Citroen C5 Aircross has become much fresher in its appearance, but when you compare it with the striking-looking Peugeot 3008, you will realize that the C5 Aircross is designed to suit those people with more mature preferences. In comparison, it is the Peugeot 3008 which looks more aggressive and up-to-date with edgy and futuristic design elements everywhere.

Let’s start with the Citroen C5 Aircross first. The SUV gets a reworked front fascia, comprising of sleeker looking grille with split daytime running LEDs and all-LED headlamps flanking either side. The overall design of the Citroen C5 Aircross has a squared and boxy theme, but it looks funky with design elements like colour-coded garnish on the side body claddings, unique window line surrounds and revised LED inserts for the tail lamps. It also gets fresher-looking skid plates and roof rails, which enhance the looks of the SUV.

In comparison, the Peugeot 3008 looks much funkier, edgier and more striking than the Citroen C5 Aircross. It has a more futuristic appeal with a bold-looking grille with unique horizontal slats, which stretch out of the grille and extend towards the long daytime running LED aligned vertically on the front bumper. The designs for the wide all-LED headlamp, front air dams and the long boot lid panel with LED tail lamps on the edges make the SUV look much more aggressive. There is a more youthful sense of style in the Peugeot 3008, though the Citroen C5 Aircross should appeal to the more mature minds with its touch of subtlety.

Interior and Features

Both the Citroen C5 Aircross and Peugeot 3008 have the same levels of difference in their approach in design on the interior as well. While the Citroen C5 Aircross tries to have a subtle look with its dashboard layout, the Peugeot 3008 looks much more youthful and captivating with its unique layout for the cabin.

In this facelifted version, the Citroen C5 Aircross gets a slightly revised cabin, consisting of a new full-TFT instrument console and a reworked centre console with a free-mounted touchscreen infotainment system. The vertical AC vents, square-themed multi-functional steering wheel and slim-looking buttons for the audio system and dual-zone automatic climate control might look unique at first, but they do catch one’s attention.

The Peugeot 308, on the other hand, has a much more different-looking dashboard layout, with a high-mounted full-TFT instrument console, a two-spoke multi-functional steering wheel with flat upper and lower edges and a new driver-facing touchscreen infotainment system. Even the lower centre console looks wider and much more premium with the correct use of brushed aluminium and piano black inserts. Both the SUVs evenly match in terms of comfort and convenience features, though the Peugeot 3008 takes the edge with the ADAS safety features which are not available in the Citroen C5 Aircross.

Verdict

Mechanically, the Citroen C5 Aircross has an edge, as it has a bigger and more powerful diesel engine and larger dimensions which make it a more spacious SUV and one with a bigger road presence. But when it comes to visual appeal in and out, it is the Peugeot 3008 which appeals more with its edgier and more futuristic design for the exterior and interior. Currently, only the Citroen C5 Aircross is available in India, and the only option among the two you can go with. We do hope that Peugeot plans to launch the 3008 sometime, but in the Indian context, the Citroen C5 Aircross is a clear winner for the time being.

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