There are few family cars which can hold a candle to the Ford Mondeo. The Citroën C5 is one of them.

It’s exceptionally quiet, not just because the 2.7-litre diesel engine is refined. Wind and road noise are all but banished from the cabin. Ten years ago, you’d have needed to buy a Lexus or a Mercedes for this kind of high-speed hush.

It towed well, too, quickly 
pulling the van back into line after a tug on the steering wheel at high speeds. The C5 was also rock-solid through the lane-change test, especially with the adjustable 
suspension set to sports mode. The ATC unit in the caravan showed no more than 0.7G – one of the lowest figures of any outfit tested. It’s a shame the detached feel of the steering doesn’t give a greater sense of what’s going on with the front wheels.

Cabin space doesn’t quite match the Mondeo’s, but the boot took all our luggage bar the Aquaroll.

Our biggest concern is with resale values. What Car? predicts the C5 will hang on to just 34% of its list price after three years.

2019
Category Winners
2019 Up to 1400kg

Škoda Octavia

Hatch 1.5 TSI 150PS SE L DSG

2019 1400-1549kg

Seat Ateca

2.0 TSI 190PS FR DSG

2019 1550-1699kg

Volkswagen Arteon

2.0 TDI 150PS Elegance DSG

2019 1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2019 1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 SDV6 HSE

2019 Best Budget 4x4

Dacia Duster

1.5 dCi Ambiance 4x4

2019 Best Plug-In Hybrid

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

P400e HSE Dynamic

2019 Best Ultralight Tow Car

Seat Arona

1.0 TSI 115 FR

2019 Fuel Economy Award

Ford Focus Estate

1.5 EcoBlue 120PS Titanium X

Previous Winners
2018
1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2017
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 Td6 HSE*

2016
1400-1549kg

Skoda Superb Hatch

2.0 TDI 150PS SE Business

2015
1400-1549kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI BMT 150PS SE Business DSG

2014
1400-1549kg

Nissan Qashqai

1.6 dCi (130PS) Stop/Start System Acenta Premium

2013
Up to 1424kg

Skoda Octavia

2.0 TDI CR 150PS Elegance

2012
1725–1899kg

Jaguar XF

2.2D Premium Luxury

2011
1425-1574kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI 170 Bluemotion Sport

2010
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery 4

3.0 TDV6 XS

2009
1900kg+

Volvo XC60

D5 SE Geartronic

2008
1575-1724kg

Ford Mondeo Estate

2.0 TDCi Titanium auto

2007
1575-1724kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI Sport 4Motion

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