Citroen DS5 review

Overview

The original Citroën DS5 is for someone who would rather have an interesting five-door than an anonymous executive saloon. It has the stance of several kinds of car without the ground clearance or load shape of a conventional SUV. This review is of the Citroën-badged 2013 UK DStyle HDi 160 six-speed manual, not the automatic, Hybrid4 or later separately branded DS 5. It is original RoadMatch buying analysis based on period Citroën documents and independent UK coverage, not a RoadMatch road test. You get an unusual cabin and useful motorway pace; what you do not get is the soft ride people sometimes associate with older big Citroëns.

Exterior and interior

The large chrome sweeps alongside the windscreen and rising rear bodywork are more than styling trivia on a used example. Inspect the brightwork for damage and check that adjacent panels line up before assuming an awkward reflection is just the design. Inside, the overhead console and separate roof sections make it look unlike most mainstream cars of its age, but familiarity matters more than novelty. Check whether you can work the windows, roof blinds and climate controls without hunting for buttons. Inspect around the roof glazing and look for dampness, especially if a blind has stopped working. Test the cabin and driving position in daylight and with the blinds shut.

Practicality

There are five doors and five belted seats. The relevant boot figure is Citroën's 465 litres measured below the shelf with the rear seats upright using VDA blocks. The Hybrid4's packaging is different, so don't rely on a different variant's boot photograph or measurements. The roofline and rear glass matter to tall passengers and visibility, while the quoted litre figure does not tell you whether a pushchair or a dog's crate fits through the opening. Bring the item you intend to use or measure its rigid dimensions. The back seat is available for adult passengers, but sitting someone behind your normal driving position is a better test than assuming all five places have equal space.

Driving experience

The period Auto Express HDi drive and RAC used guide make the trade-off clear: the diesel suits longer journeys, but the original car's ride can be busy on imperfect roads. Our view is that styling and seating position should be the reason to choose a DS5, not the expectation of a particularly plush ride or a sporting chassis. Compare it on a patchy stretch and a steady faster road before deciding. Wheel and tyre condition can affect how a used example feels. A heavy clonk or uneven tracking should be investigated, not explained away as the model's character. It is a distinctive place to spend time once you are up to speed.

Performance

Citroën's manual HDi 160 entry lists 1,997 cc, 120 kW and 340 Nm at 2,000 rpm, with a claimed 8.5 seconds from rest to 62 mph. In mechanical units that is about 161 bhp; the badge is not a separate power measurement. The period automatic has different specifications, and the Hybrid4 has a separate electric system, so neither belongs in this comparison. The useful thing about the diesel is pulling cleanly once underway without constant gear changes. On a drive, check that clutch engagement feels consistent and the car accelerates without warnings or sustained hesitation. A good test drive confirms condition; it is not a reason to reproduce a laboratory-style sprint.

Fuel economy

The manual's older combined NEDC figure is 57.6 imperial mpg in the 18- or 19-inch entry of Citroën's technical table, paired with 128 g/km CO₂ for the reviewed DStyle in the UK price list. Our budget assumes 45 mpg instead. At 8,000 miles and £1.55 a litre, a result of 38 mpg rather than 45 would add about £230 over a year. Buy a diesel for the kind of driving that lets it get properly warm, not just for the highest brochure figure. Verify the actual car's clean-air-zone status using its registration; the original Euro 5 designation is not approval for any particular zone.

Reliability

A used DS5 deserves the same checks as any older diesel, plus time for its extra equipment. Ask for itemised invoices for routine servicing and investigate gaps or inconsistent mileage. Have a specialist assess unexplained exhaust-system warnings, uneven cold running or clutch vibration. Do not assume an issue reported for the Hybrid4's automated transmission also applies to this manual; the buying checks differ. Try the parking brake, roof blinds and infotainment before negotiating. Repeatedly failing electronics are worth diagnosing rather than accepting a seller's quick reset. There is no robust variant-level failure rate behind our reliability score. It reflects the age and the number of potentially costly checks, not a claim that a particular DS5 will fail.

Safety

Euro NCAP ran its original DS5 test in 2011. The historical test footage identifies the original Citroën DS5, not the later branding or a modern equivalent. The assessment uses period criteria; do not use it to infer how today's driver-assistance systems would perform or whether equipment on this particular car is working. Citroën's period brochure lists stability control, front and side airbag protection and rear ISOFIX positions. Check restraints, warning lights and the history of any accident repair. Use GOV.UK's registration-based recall checker and confirm work by VIN with Citroën. If assistance features or child-seat arrangements are important, verify the specification and handbook for the actual car before relying on them.

Technology and features

DStyle's appeal is useful period equipment without assuming every DSport option is fitted. The UK brochure puts ordinary cruise control on the base specification and adds eMyWay navigation, a reversing camera and rear parking assistance to DStyle. Heated seats were not a safe assumption across the trim, so look for the relevant seat or equipment package and test it. Navigation, Bluetooth and a camera do not amount to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. If these are essential, inspect the installation of any replacement head unit and check that it has retained the camera and parking display functions you need. Try the visibility yourself before relying on those aids.

Running costs

Use £3,000–£6,500 as a broad November 2026 editorial purchase allowance, not a live valuation or a claim that a car in that range will be sound. At 8,000 miles, assumed 45 mpg and £1.55 per litre, fuel is about £1,250 per year. Add an illustrative £150 for tax and £550–£1,250 for scheduled servicing, MOT and wear to allow roughly £1,950–£2,650. Insurance, finance, depreciation and major repairs are outside that figure. Check actual tax and insurance by registration and put money aside separately for age-related faults. Compare the cost of a proper inspection and known maintenance with the apparent saving of a cheaper example without invoices.

Advantages and disadvantages