Citroen C5 Aircross is the latest entry into the luxury SUV segment in our market. Citroen has entered our market with its first product which they claim will establish the heritage of their brand in India. This premium SUV primarily focuses on unique design language, comfort and modern features, which defines the brand Citroen globally. As announced by the French carmaker, smaller and more affordable SUVs will follow soon after this. Being in the category of premium SUVs, the direct rivals of the C5 Aircross will include the top-trim of Jeep Compass, which is also a premium offering in India. In some time, there will be the addition of the Skoda Kodiaq in this segment. But until then, we can compare the C5 Aircross and Compass thoroughly to see which characteristics suit which type of customers.
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Citroen C5 Aircross vs Jeep Compass- Exteriors and Dimensions
The exteriors of the C5 Aircross are distinctive, to say the least. Although there are plenty of SUVs around in our market, you can never mistake the C5 Aircross for anything else. The typical square theme all across the body gives it a very sporty look. The sleek parallel chrome lines on the front grille, along with the LED DRLs on the bonnet do look modern. The LED headlamp unit just below the DRLs and squared-off air dams on the front bumper sure lets you know that it is a typical Citroen. The sides and the rear reflect the same square design theme with side skirtings and LED tail lamp design having some sort of squares in them. The long-wheelbase will make sure that the space on the interior cabin including the rear legroom will be plenty.
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Being a premium SUV, this will ensure a comfortable and luxurious cabin space. Also, 230 mm ground clearance will help with any plans for an off-roading getaway trip. To make sure that you can take a ton of luggage, there is a generous 580-litres of boot space which can be increased to 720-litres by sliding the seats forward and to a massive 1,630-litres by folding the second-row seats completely.
The updated 2021 Jeep Compass is a typical Jeep SUV that we all have known for years. There are a ton of modern elements to indicate which era it belongs to including sleek LED headlamps with DRL strips, the signature seven-slat front grille, sporty bumpers and a tall bonnet line to give it a bold and upright look. On the sides, the pronounced wheel arches define the side profile of the SUV, along with sharp creases, roof rails and striking 18-inch alloy wheels. The rear houses the LED tail lamps unit along with a sporty bumper with skid plates and a roof spoiler which makes the SUV look really sporty and rugged. Overall the exterior of the Compass clearly shows the Jeep lineage associated with it.
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| Parameter | Jeep Compass | Citroen C5 Aircross |
| Length | 4405 mm | 4500 mm |
| Width | 1818 mm | 2099 mm |
| Height | 1640 mm | 1710 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2636 mm | 2730 mm |
| Boot Space | 438 l | 580 l |
According to the dimensions, the Citroen C5 Aircross is substantially larger than the Jeep Compass in every aspect. This translates even to the boot compartment and the wheelbase. A longer wheelbase ensures more legroom for the rear passengers. This is in line with what Citroen had intended making comfort their priority.
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Citroen C5 Aircross vs Jeep Compass- Interiors, Features and Safety
The list of modern comfort and connected features is extensive in the Citroen C5 Aircross. This includes an 8-inch Digital Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 12.3-inch Digital Instrument Cluster to provide the driver with the necessary information, Automatic LED headlamps with LED DRLs, 18-inch Alloy Wheels to give it a sporty look, Electrically Adjustable, Powered and Heated Wing Mirrors, Electronic Parking Brake, Hands-free Powered Electric Tailgate, Dual-zone Climate Control, Panoramic Sunroof, Auto-dimming Inside Rear View Mirrors, Auto Park Assist with Reverse Parking Camera, Hill Descent and Ascent Control, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, 6 Airbags, Blind Spot Assist, Driver Fatigue Alert, Adjustable Rear Seat and Powered Driver’s Seat, Connected Car Features, Front and Rear Parking Sensors, Various Drive and Traction Modes for all kinds of environment, Cruise Control, 6-speaker Audio System.
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It is only fair to say that Jeep has completely redone the interiors of the Compass with this update. The connected car tech UConnect 5 seems to be the most important feature in the floating 10.1-inch Digital Infotainment System placed in the center of the dashboard with integrated Alexa support and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This system can also receive Over-the-air updates. Apart from these features Compass gets a whole host of convenience features including dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, powered tailgate, a 360-degree view camera, 8-way electrically adjustable and ventilated front seats. On the safety front, Compass comes with a ton of features including ABS with EBD and brake assist, Electronic Stability Program, Hill-Start Assist and Traction Control. Of course, the top-of-the-line diesel comes with an option of a 4×4 drive system.
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Citroen C5 Aircross vs Jeep Compass- Engines, Transmissions and Prices
The Citroen C5 Aircross is making news because of its unique suspension setup for our roads. It comes equipped with something known as the Progressive Hydraulic Cushion-equipped suspension setup which will filter out all the bumps on our especially chaotic roads. The C5 Aircross will come with a sole 2.0-litre diesel engine making 180PS and 400Nm. It will be paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The shift-by-wire system will ensure smooth gearshifts for plush ride quality. The prices of the Citroen C5 Aircross start at Rs 29.90 lakh and go all the way up to Rs 31.90 lakh, ex-showroom. Another way of owning the C5 Aircross is through the Citroen Future Sure monthly package of Rs 49,999 for a term of 5 years. This will include an assured value of your C5 Aircross after the end of the term, Routine Maintenance, Road-side Assistance, Extended Warranty, On-Road Finance and much more. At the end of the term, one can either trade and upgrade to a brand new Citroen, keep the product or simply return to the dealer.
The Compass is offered in both petrol and diesel options. The 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine makes 163hp and 250Nm and comes with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCT automatic. The 2.0-litre diesel engine produces 173hp and 350Nm and comes with either a 6-speed manual or a 9-speed torque converter. It must be noted that these are the exact same engines that were available with the outgoing models as well. The updated Jeep Compass does come with a premium, with the range starting from Rs 16.99 lakh, all the way to Rs 28.29 lakh, ex-showroom for the 4×4 diesel.
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Citroen C5 Aircross vs Jeep Compass- Verdict
So, these are very desirable SUVs because of the segment that these operate in. In this case, it is the competition between two distinct characters and heritages. One is the rugged hardcore off-road-oriented SUV from America and the other is the unique designed, comfort-oriented luxury SUV from France. Various people will find desirability in both these products. People who are more adventure-oriented and would want their SUV to be capable of some serious off-roading and also want options in powertrains can opt for the Jeep Compass. On the other hand, if you are someone who will most likely be chauffeur-driven and want to enjoy the comfortable ride on the back set with all the modern amenities and features, you will better off in the Citroen C5 Aircross.
