Citroen Aircross X review, first drive: More complete, still unconventional
Is the updated Aircross finally the seven-seat offering for the Indian family that is the best combination of design, features and performance?
There is something strangely admirable about Citroen’s India strategy. Sometimes that has worked in its favour. More often, it has left the brand struggling for relevance. Citroen’s journey in India has been complicated from the very beginning because expectations surrounding the company were enormous. The original C3 Aircross perfectly represented that disconnect. It offered superb comfort, impressive practicality and a refreshingly simple character, but it also felt underdeveloped. Cabin quality lagged behind rivals, the feature list appeared sparse, and the overall experience lacked the polish buyers now expect in this segment. The new Aircross X arrives as Citroen’s attempt at fixing those shortcomings without losing the charm that made the original interesting in the first place.
At first glance, the Aircross X does not look radically different from the older C3 Aircross, but the changes are meaningful enough to alter the car’s overall personality. The design remains upright, clean and almost MPV-like in its proportions, though that honesty works in its favour. The revised detailing, darker exterior accents and updated finishes give it a slightly more sophisticated appearance without overcomplicating the design.
The same philosophy continues inside the cabin as well. The earlier Aircross interior often felt too utilitarian for its asking price, but the X finally introduces some much-needed warmth into the experience. The ambient lighting may sound like a small addition, yet it changes the mood of the cabin significantly during night drives. It may not be the most high-tech solution, but it works. The 10.23-inch touchscreen is unique, but it tends to lag a bit at times, and I’m not the biggest fan of the seven-inch digital instrument cluster. Speaking of which, the front and rear camera feel like an afterthought and stick out like a sore thumb on the outside.
Having said that, the Aircross X feels genuinely roomy inside. Visibility is excellent, the cabin feels airy, and passengers sit in a naturally comfortable posture. Then there is the seven-seater configuration, which remains one of the car’s strongest selling points. The removable rear seats are cleverly packaged, access to the final row is manageable, and the second-row comfort is impressive. Yes, the third row is still best reserved for children or shorter journeys, but the flexibility itself adds genuine usability for larger families looking beyond traditional MPVs. Also, the second-row passengers get overhead vents and controls for the HVAC.
The real story of the Aircross X, however, begins the moment you start driving it. The Aircross X prioritises ride quality above everything else, and that decision defines the entire driving experience. On broken roads, the difference is immediately obvious. While rivals often crash through potholes or transmit sharp impacts into the cabin, the Aircross X simply glides over imperfections with remarkable composure.
The suspension setup feels well-tuned for Indian conditions, albeit it may not be the most sophisticated system in its class. There is maturity to the way the suspension controls vertical movement, which means the car never feels excessively floaty or uncontrolled. Long-distance travel becomes incredibly relaxing because the SUV simply refuses to tire its passengers out. Few vehicles in this segment deliver this level of ride comfort, and that alone gives the Citroen a unique identity. To add this, the seats feel comfortable too. They are broad, soft and designed around comfort rather than aggressive bolstering.
The 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, turbo-petrol motor is one of the main talking points once again. It feels responsive and tractable while delivering respectable mid-range performance. It cruises comfortably at higher speeds and remains reasonably refined under most driving conditions. There is enough punch available for overtaking duties, particularly once the turbocharger settles into its powerband. However, the gearbox occasionally lets the overall experience down. The six-speed torque converter feels slightly sluggish during sudden throttle inputs and quick overtakes.
There is a noticeable delay before the gearbox responds decisively. Around the city, the Aircross feels easy to manoeuvre, thanks to the light steering. However, I felt the steering wheel design could’ve been better, one that is slightly larger in size. Apart from this, the handling is also surprisingly good, and the X maintains good composure at higher speeds. That being said, feedback is limited, weighting feels inconsistent at times, and enthusiastic driving never becomes particularly rewarding. This SUV has not been engineered to chase lap times or impress enthusiasts searching for sharp handling dynamics. Instead, it has been built around comfort, practicality and ease of use. Approach it with that understanding, and the car begins to make far more sense.
VERDICT
The Citroen Aircross X remains an unconventional choice in the midsize SUV segment, but it is also a far more convincing product than before. From a cost standpoint, it makes a strong case for itself with three variants on offer and pricing ranging from Rs 8.90 lakh to Rs 14 lakh (ex-showroom). Sure, it still lacks the polished cabin quality, expansive dealer/service network and premium feel offered by rivals, but the Aircross X counters this with exceptional ride quality, seven-seat practicality and a refreshing sense of individuality. If you’re out looking for a unique seven-seater offering, that stands out from the crowd and delivers on most counts, the Aircross X is finally the offering it should’ve been from the very start.
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SPECS
- Engine: 1.2-litre turbo-petrol
- Power: 110bhp@5,500rpm
- Max torque: 205Nm@1,750-2,500rpm
- Gearbox: 6-speed AT
- Wheelbase: 2,671mm
- Ground clearance: 200mm
- Kerb weight: 1,320kg
- Fuel tank: 45 litres
- Price: 13.99 lakh (ex-showroom)
There is something strangely admirable about Citroen’s India strategy. Sometimes that has worked in its favour. More often, it has left the brand struggling for relevance. Citroen’s journey in India has been complicated from the very beginning because expectations surrounding the company were enormous. The original C3 Aircross perfectly represented that disconnect. It offered superb comfort, impressive practicality and a refreshingly simple character, but it also felt underdeveloped. Cabin quality lagged behind rivals, the feature list appeared sparse, and the overall experience lacked the polish buyers now expect in this segment. The new Aircross X arrives as Citroen’s attempt at fixing those shortcomings without losing the charm that made the original interesting in the first place.
At first glance, the Aircross X does not look radically different from the older C3 Aircross, but the changes are meaningful enough to alter the car’s overall personality. The design remains upright, clean and almost MPV-like in its proportions, though that honesty works in its favour. The revised detailing, darker exterior accents and updated finishes give it a slightly more sophisticated appearance without overcomplicating the design.
The same philosophy continues inside the cabin as well. The earlier Aircross interior often felt too utilitarian for its asking price, but the X finally introduces some much-needed warmth into the experience. The ambient lighting may sound like a small addition, yet it changes the mood of the cabin significantly during night drives. It may not be the most high-tech solution, but it works. The 10.23-inch touchscreen is unique, but it tends to lag a bit at times, and I’m not the biggest fan of the seven-inch digital instrument cluster. Speaking of which, the front and rear camera feel like an afterthought and stick out like a sore thumb on the outside.
Having said that, the Aircross X feels genuinely roomy inside. Visibility is excellent, the cabin feels airy, and passengers sit in a naturally comfortable posture. Then there is the seven-seater configuration, which remains one of the car’s strongest selling points. The removable rear seats are cleverly packaged, access to the final row is manageable, and the second-row comfort is impressive. Yes, the third row is still best reserved for children or shorter journeys, but the flexibility itself adds genuine usability for larger families looking beyond traditional MPVs. Also, the second-row passengers get overhead vents and controls for the HVAC.
The real story of the Aircross X, however, begins the moment you start driving it. The Aircross X prioritises ride quality above everything else, and that decision defines the entire driving experience. On broken roads, the difference is immediately obvious. While rivals often crash through potholes or transmit sharp impacts into the cabin, the Aircross X simply glides over imperfections with remarkable composure.
The suspension setup feels well-tuned for Indian conditions, albeit it may not be the most sophisticated system in its class. There is maturity to the way the suspension controls vertical movement, which means the car never feels excessively floaty or uncontrolled. Long-distance travel becomes incredibly relaxing because the SUV simply refuses to tire its passengers out. Few vehicles in this segment deliver this level of ride comfort, and that alone gives the Citroen a unique identity. To add this, the seats feel comfortable too. They are broad, soft and designed around comfort rather than aggressive bolstering.
The 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, turbo-petrol motor is one of the main talking points once again. It feels responsive and tractable while delivering respectable mid-range performance. It cruises comfortably at higher speeds and remains reasonably refined under most driving conditions. There is enough punch available for overtaking duties, particularly once the turbocharger settles into its powerband. However, the gearbox occasionally lets the overall experience down. The six-speed torque converter feels slightly sluggish during sudden throttle inputs and quick overtakes.
There is a noticeable delay before the gearbox responds decisively. Around the city, the Aircross feels easy to manoeuvre, thanks to the light steering. However, I felt the steering wheel design could’ve been better, one that is slightly larger in size. Apart from this, the handling is also surprisingly good, and the X maintains good composure at higher speeds. That being said, feedback is limited, weighting feels inconsistent at times, and enthusiastic driving never becomes particularly rewarding. This SUV has not been engineered to chase lap times or impress enthusiasts searching for sharp handling dynamics. Instead, it has been built around comfort, practicality and ease of use. Approach it with that understanding, and the car begins to make far more sense.
VERDICT
The Citroen Aircross X remains an unconventional choice in the midsize SUV segment, but it is also a far more convincing product than before. From a cost standpoint, it makes a strong case for itself with three variants on offer and pricing ranging from Rs 8.90 lakh to Rs 14 lakh (ex-showroom). Sure, it still lacks the polished cabin quality, expansive dealer/service network and premium feel offered by rivals, but the Aircross X counters this with exceptional ride quality, seven-seat practicality and a refreshing sense of individuality. If you’re out looking for a unique seven-seater offering, that stands out from the crowd and delivers on most counts, the Aircross X is finally the offering it should’ve been from the very start.
Subscribe to Auto Today Magazine
SPECS
- Engine: 1.2-litre turbo-petrol
- Power: 110bhp@5,500rpm
- Max torque: 205Nm@1,750-2,500rpm
- Gearbox: 6-speed AT
- Wheelbase: 2,671mm
- Ground clearance: 200mm
- Kerb weight: 1,320kg
- Fuel tank: 45 litres
- Price: 13.99 lakh (ex-showroom)
