Review: DS 5 (2012 – 2018)
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Rating:
More stylish alternative to the C5. Impressive interior. Much better from 2015.
No Hydractive suspension on the DS model that really should have had it. Very poor ride quality especially on 19-inch wheels, improved from 2015.
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Recently Added To This Review
Report of infotainment screen of DS5 hybrid overheating in hot weather. Very hot to touch. Possible fire hazard. Taken to DS dealer because reversing sensor volume too low. Was told all Citroen had... Read more
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Report of failure of torque converter automatic transmission of DS5 at 40,000 miles. Cost of repair was £3,500. Read more
DS 5 (2012 – 2018): At A Glance
- Insurance Groups are between 18–33
- On average it achieves 72% of the official MPG figure
Topping the DS line, the ‘5’ combines hatchback and saloon styling cues to offer a genuine alternative to your usual run-of-the-mill executive car. Indeed, the DS5 is tall and imposing, with stylish chrome strips that run up to its profoundly shaped bonnet.
The interior is equally as dramatic. Seats on top models are trimmed in watchstrap style leather and there are loads of genuine metal trim details. There are also overhead, aircraft inspired switches, which pair up with a head-up display and a wide steering wheel that feels a little like a flight yoke. It’s really impressive to behold and it’s really easy to settle into comfortably.
Practicality is reasonably good too. There’s just about enough room in the rear seats for adults, though they might struggle to comfortably get their feet under the front seats, and the boot is sizeable, though it does have a fairly high load lip. We also take issue with the fact that the boot cannot be opened without pressing a button – on the keyfob or in the cabin - as there’s no external handle.
Unfortunately the DS5 has a number of problems. For a start, Citroen’s once famed for ride quality has been replaced with a car that feels fidgety, over firm and poorly dampened. The DS5 also clatters over speed bumps and potholes and follows the camber of the road instead of tracking in a straight line, which means the car gently veers toward the kerb unless you firmly grip the wheel.
Unless you only ever drive on the motorway, you’ll probably find it irritating at best and downright unbearable at worst. Admittedly there’s some redemption when it comes to powertrains, which are good on the whole. The pick of the bunch is the 163PS diesel, paired to a six-speed automatic gearbox, which is very refined and effortlessly smooth and rapid. Company car drivers will likely pick the flexible 115PS diesel, though, thanks to lower running costs.
There’s also a 200PS diesel hybrid variant, which has an electric motor to power the rear wheels and a diesel engine powering the front . The result is 200PS, with emissions of 88g/km and official economy of 80.7mpg. Buyers who want a petrol model get one choice, a 200PS THP.
With interesting exterior styling, a great interior and a good selection of engine options, the DS5 gives a very strong first impression and looks like it should be an alternative to the usual German executive car. However, due to some poor execution, the big Citroen ultimately falls short of the mark.
What does a DS 5 (2012 – 2018) cost?
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DS 5 (2012 – 2018): What's It Like Inside?
- Boot space is 325–465 litres
- Euro NCAP rating of five stars
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4275–4530 mm |
| Width | 1871–2128 mm |
| Height | 1523–1539 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2727 mm |
The cabin of the DS5 is just as interesting and stylish as the exterior. The driver’s seat is neatly cocooned by a high transmission tunnel, which features an electronic parking brake and controls for the infotainment system. The steering wheel is wide and feels like a flight yoke to grip – one of several aircraft inspired touches.
There’s plenty of real metal adorning the cabin and material quality is excellent throughout, as is attention to detail. It’s a truly outstanding cabin that gets even better on higher spec cars, which gain things like a head-up display and a panoramic glass roof split into three sections. There are also niceties like a massage function on the driver’s seat.
Interior space is good – the boot has a decent capacity and features a ski-slot, but it does have a fairly high load lip. That’ll prove awkward when loading and unloading bulkier items. There’s room in the back for adults if they can get their feet comfortably under the front seats – a problem that won’t affect children, who will fit perfectly fine.
Practical and stylish though it may be, the DS5’s cabin has a few shortcomings. Most notable is the navigation system, which refuses to take seven-digit post codes. The infotainment system overall is a bit tricky to understand and can be a real pain to get to grips with - it’s certainly not as intuitive as the systems on German rivals.
Furthermore, the glove box is uselessly small and the stylish centre stack and transmission tunnel leave no room at all for cup holders, which instead are in the door bins and are too small for most cups.
Equipment levels are reasonable, with most creature comforts fitted as standard, including keyless entry and start, cruise control, automatic wipers and automatic lights. To get leather upholstery you’ll need to go for a top, DSPORT model, which also adds electric seat adjustment with massage function.
Standard Equipment:
DSIGN:
- Driver's, front passenger's, front lateral, front and rear curtain airbags
- Electrically adjustable/heated/foldable door mirrors with integrated kerb side LED
- Front fog lights with cornering function and daytime running LEDs
- Keyless access and start/Perimetric/volumetric anti-theft alarm
- Cruise control with speed limiter and memory settings
- Front and rear electric windows with 'one-touch' operation and anti-pinch
- Auto digital air conditioning with dual-zone temperature setting
- Auto rain-sensitive windscreen wipers/auto illumination of headlamps/electrochrome rear view mirror
- Automatic electric parking brake
- Connecting Box - Bluetooth system® with USB socket
DSTYLE adds:
- Part Mistral ‘Claudia’ leather, part ‘Dinamica’ cloth upholstery
- Three part sunroof with electric sunblinds and aviation style toggle switches
- Analogue clock on dashboard
- eMyWay - colour satellite navigation with live traffic information and European mapping
- Reversing camera and rear parking sensors
- Two sunglasses holders in cockpit roof/cup holder in rear centre armrest
DSPORT adds:
- Mistral 'Claudia' leather upholstery
- Front electric/heated sport seats
- Driver’s seat with electric lumbar adjustment, massage function and memory settings
- Citroën eTouch Emergency & Assistance system
- Xenon Dual-Function Directional headlamps with washer jets
- Front parking sensors
- Colour head-up display
- Carpet mats
Child seats that fit a DS 5 (2012 – 2018)
Our unique Car Seat Chooser shows you which child car seats will fit this car and which seat positions that they will fit, so that you don't have to check every car seat manufacturer's website for compatibility.What's the DS 5 (2012 – 2018) like to drive?
- Engines range from 1.6 e-HDi 110 Airdream EGS to 2.0 BlueHDi 180 EAT6
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 32–63 mpg
Most of the engines offered by Citroen run on diesel – there’s a capable 115PS 1.6-litre that offers a good blend of performance and economy, a 163PS 2.0-litre, a 180PS 2.0-litre and a 200PS diesel hybrid variant, which is the most frugal in the range. There’s only one petrol option – a 200PS 1.6-litre THP.
For those who spend most of their time on A-roads and motorways, the best choice is the 163PS diesel, particularly with the six-speed automatic. It is effortlessly swift and has loads of in-gear torque. It’s also refined and fairly efficient, with Citroen claiming a frugal 47.9mpg.
Those who really value frugality will want the hybrid model, with its official economy of 80.7mpg and emissions of 88g/km. It uses a battery pack to electrically drive the rear wheels, while the front wheels are powered by a 163PS diesel engine. Combined output is 200PS and it’s possible to drive short distances on electric power alone.
Another advantage of the hybrid system is its all-wheel drive capable; it won’t traverse mountains, but for a slippery drive it should be useful. The downside to this set up is the electronically controlled manual gearbox, which is a little bit slow to change gears and dulls what otherwise should be impressive performance.
You might think that the 115PS engine will be underpowered but it is fine – there’s enough torque for good progress and emissions are low enough for cheap annual VED. It’s economical, too, with official fuel economy of 64.2mpg. While the meat of the range is diesel there is one petrol option with 200PS – but the DS5 really is better suited to a diesel.
Unfortunately, regardless of engine choice the DS5 has some disappointing dynamic shortcomings, most notably the suspension set up. There’s none of the usual smoothness Citroen is famed for – instead the ride is fidgety and over firm on all but the most marble-smooth surfaces and it clatters loudly and uncomfortably over potholes.
The problems don’t end there either – the steering is poorly weighted and is very prone to following the camber of the road, dragging the car subtly towards the kerb unless you keep the wheel firmly gripped. That’d be fine if this was a sports car, but for a big executive car it’s frustrating and disappointing.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 BlueHDi 120 | 71 mpg | 11.7 s | 104 g/km |
| 1.6 BlueHDi 120 EAT6 | 69 mpg | 11.9 s | 108 g/km |
| 1.6 e-HDi 110 Airdream EGS | 64 mpg | 12.0 s | 114 g/km |
| 1.6 e-HDi 115 Airdream EGS | 66 mpg | 12.0 s | 112 g/km |
| 1.6 THP 165 EAT6 | 42–48 mpg | 10.4 s | 136 g/km |
| 1.6 THP 200 | 42 mpg | 8.5 s | 155 g/km |
| 1.6 THP 210 | 46 mpg | - | 144 g/km |
| 2.0 BlueHDi | 71–72 mpg | 11.7 s | 102–105 g/km |
| 2.0 BlueHDi 150 | 58–66 mpg | 9.3–9.9 s | 105–113 g/km |
| 2.0 BlueHDi 180 EAT6 | 63 mpg | 9.2 s | 114–117 g/km |
| 2.0 BlueHDi Automatic | 63–64 mpg | 9.2 s | 116–118 g/km |
| 2.0 HDi 160 | 58–59 mpg | 8.5 s | 125–128 g/km |
| 2.0 HDi 160 Automatic | 46–48 mpg | 9.8 s | 154–158 g/km |
| Hybrid4 | 72–86 mpg | 8.3–8.6 s | 85–103 g/km |
Real MPG average for a DS 5 (2012 – 2018)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
72%
Real MPG
32–63 mpg
MPGs submitted
157
Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.
What have we been asked about the DS 5 (2012 – 2018)?
Every day we're asked hundreds of questions from car buyers and owners through Ask Honest John. Our team of experts, including the nation's favourite motoring agony uncle - Honest John himself - answer queries and conudrums ranging from what car to buy to how to care for it as an owner. If you could do with a spot of friendly advice before buying you're next car, get in touch and we'll do what we can to help.
Why is the Citroen DS5 badly rated by journalists?
What Cars Are Similar To The DS 5 (2012 – 2018)?
Key attributes of the this model are: Economical, Comfortable seats, Diesel engine, Quiet cabin, Cheap Tax and Large family.
Unclear on what your next car should be? Use our Car Chooser to pick something that suits your needs.
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