Citroen DS5 1.6 THP 156 (2017) Review

In Malaysia's D-Segment market, German and Japanese models have always dominated, but for consumers who value individuality and design, they are always looking for more unique options. The 2017 Citroen DS5 1.6 THP 156 is a model that emphasizes French design and luxurious features. Its core selling points are focused on a unique exterior design, superior configurations, and balanced power output. In this test drive, we aim to verify whether its design is truly practical, if the features enhance everyday experiences, and if its overall performance as a family car is up to standard.

The DS5's exterior immediately grabs attention at first glance. Its overall styling leans toward a crossover design, avoiding the rigidity of traditional sedans and the bulkiness of SUVs. The front features the iconic DS family large chrome grille, with a honeycomb pattern inside the grille, paired with sharp xenon headlights on both sides, creating high recognition. The side profile features smooth lines extending from the front fender to the rear, making the body appear more elongated. The 17-inch alloy wheels have a sporty design, and the tire specifications are 225/50 R17, balancing grip and comfort. At the rear, the vertically arranged LED taillights echo the front design, and the chrome trim on the lower bumper adds a touch of refinement. Overall, the design maintains French elegance without being overly exaggerated.

Sitting inside, the DS5's interior materials feel solid. Most areas of the center console are covered with soft materials, and the inside of the door panels is wrapped in leather, providing a premium tactile feel. The center console layout is driver-oriented, making operation more convenient. As for key features, the 10-inch central touchscreen supports Bluetooth connectivity and smartphone mirroring, with decent interface smoothness. The HUD (head-up display) is a highlight, showing information such as speed and navigation without needing to look down at the instrument panel, enhancing driving safety. The front seats support electric adjustment, memory function, and lumbar support, making long drives less tiring. The rear seats can be folded in a 60/40 split, with a trunk capacity of 468 liters, sufficient for a few suitcases in daily use, and the storage space can be further extended when seats are folded. Notably, it is equipped with dual-zone automatic climate control, and the rear row also has independent air vents, ensuring rear passengers won't feel hot during family trips in summer.

In terms of body size, the DS5 measures 4530mm in length, 1871mm in width, and 1538mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2727mm, making it average in its class. The front row offers good space; a 175cm tall passenger will have a headroom of approximately a fist and two fingers, with ample legroom. Rear space is just adequate for adults, offering about a fist of headroom and a fist and two fingers of legroom, without feeling cramped. For storage, the door pockets can hold two water bottles, the center armrest box has moderate capacity, and there are two cup holders in the front row, which are sufficient for daily use.

In terms of power, the DS5 is equipped with a 1.6L turbocharged engine delivering a maximum of 158 horsepower and a peak torque of 240Nm, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. During actual driving, it feels light and brisk at startup, with responsive throttle that delivers power promptly with light pressure. Mid-range and late-stage acceleration is also impressive; when overtaking and pressing the accelerator deeply, the transmission promptly downshifts and delivers seamless power, with an official 0-100km/h acceleration time of 9.6 seconds, completely adequate for daily use. There are two driving modes: Normal and Sport. In Normal mode, the gearbox shifts actively, focusing on comfort. In Sport mode, the throttle response becomes more aggressive, with delayed shifting, suitable for moments when you wish to pursue some driving excitement.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel of the DS5 is precise, with minimal slack, and you can clearly feel the road feedback when cornering. The suspension system uses a front MacPherson independent suspension and a rear torsion beam non-independent suspension, but it is tuned with good resilience. It doesn't feel bumpy when passing speed bumps, and the vibration filtering effect is good. When driving on rough roads, the body stability is also excellent, without feeling loose. The fuel efficiency is moderate; we test drove it for a week, mostly on urban roads with occasional highway drives, achieving a combined fuel consumption of 8.2L/100km, slightly higher than the official 7.3L/100km. However, considering urban traffic congestion, this result is still acceptable.

In terms of noise control, the DS5 performs quite well. At idle, engine noise inside the cabin is almost non-existent, and wind and tire noise at high speeds remain within an acceptable range, not interfering with the conversations of passengers inside the car. The seat comfort is impressive, with good wrapping and support, ensuring that long rides do not cause fatigue.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2017 model DS5 1.6 THP 156 are evident: its unique exterior design caters to consumers' needs for individuality. Features such as the HUD head-up display and memory electric seats are relatively rare in vehicles of the same class, highlighting its value for money. Its power output is balanced, ensuring a combination of handling and comfort, making it suitable for daily family use. Compared with vehicles of the same class from German manufacturers, its configurations are more comprehensive; compared to Japanese models, its design is more distinctive.

This car is suitable for two types of consumers: one is young people who value individuality and design and do not like to follow the crowd, preferring a car that stands out on the road. The other is families that prioritize configuration and comfort, as the DS5 provides sufficient space and features to meet the needs of daily family outings. However, its rear space is not outstanding in its class, so if you frequently need to carry five people, you might want to consider a car with larger space.

In summary, the 2017 Citroen DS5 1.6 THP 156 is a model that balances individuality with practicality. Its design, configuration, and performance are all well-rounded, making it a fully qualified family car. If you are looking to break away from the stereotypical German or Japanese models while enjoying decent configurations and comfort, the DS5 is worth considering.