I had a Xantia and loved it. Thought it would fall apart but it lasted well and hardy needed tyres due to the suspension. I remember having a flat tyre.. I jacked the car up on the suspension, put the jack underneath and then lowered the car..It lifted the wheel off the ground..brilliant. I really fancy the C5X PHEV as my next Company car..at last a car that is comfortable rather than sporty. Great for my 1000miles per week.
I have a 1983 CX and a 2002 Airmatic S-Class. The Citroën is in another league. After riding in it you’d be hard pressed to describe the Mercedes as comfortable. The Citroën really is in another league entirely.
As an also owner of CX Pallas 83 model can fully concur...never equaled..never bettered and this should have been a comparison between the CX and the new model..
@@lonewarrior1543 I am a bit confused, which one is the new model? Because this C5x looks a bit... Normal, a bit dated but the 83 CX seems like it is from the far future! Specially when they have those shades in the rear window (not sure how they are called)
@@TheAllMightyGodofCod luxurious cars almost always had sun shades in the rear window and on the rear passenger windows, nothing special about those. :P
My dad was a citroen guy, we had successively a GS, three BXs and a Xantia, when I was a kid. I just got a new C4 and even without the special suspension, so much of the experience reminded me of the Xantia, which was my first car as a freshly licensed driver, I’m sure he would have loved it… Great cars all of them!
I'm 42. I remember going on holiday to the South of France camping with my friend and his parents in their BX GT aged 11. I loved that car. I remember my friend's dad getting props from the French for driving it as a Brit! I remember it being super smooth. Sleeping in the back wasn't a problem in those squishy velour seats, with the air suspension. A brilliant holiday! And, while the BX may look a little dated these days, I still think the Xantia is a great looking car today, very well proportioned. Aersome video, cheers! 👍
In 1988 i bought a 3 year old black BX19 GT, on a 'C' plate just like this one. I really enjoyed that car. The 105bhp 8 valve was enough to have fun, and also the power was there from the get go, you didn't have to rev the thing out to about 4000 rpm before anything happens, as you typically have to do with 16 valve engines. You couldn't throw it around like a hot hatch. The driving style to go quickly on a country road was more a case of adjusting to the rhythm of the car. Once you'd done that, you could hustle the BX along very quickly. Thanks for video, really lovely seeing a BX 19 GT again.
Pity the BX designer didn't get a mention! It was designed by Marcello Gandini, who had the Lamborghini Countach on his drawing board at the same time. Gandini liked the finished BX so much, he used one everyday for some time....
My father ran BX's as taxi's back in the day we had a 17RD hatch do 100k in 13 months and a 19RD estate that had over 150k on the clock at 18 months old, Absolutely superb cars.
Non-self cancelling indicators are fantastic! They are so light to operate and you only ever have to turn them on and off once when turning. In every other car, I find you have to use much more force to turn indicators on, then they turn off again when you get into a turn-lane and straighten up so you have to turn them on again! I think this is why most people only indicate when they begin to turn and they turn from the middle lane, not from the turn-lane.
The C5X reminds me of my old DS5, which I absolutely loved. It was a weid mix of being a large hatchback with a slightly raised ride height. Will definitely consider a C5X when I come to replace my current car (DS 7 crossback)
I had a BX series 1 and 2. A 1.9 diesel which was incredibly comfortable and economical then a 1.7 turbo diesel intercooler. That was seriously quick but still incredibly economical. At that time I was living in southern Italy and on a drive to London I did it in 18 hours inc. the ferry wait and travel! That was before the speed cameras 😂. Did I love the BX? Most certainly YES. At the same time I also had a C15D which was a van based on the Visa car. That was a non turbo diesel but it flew. It was so light. And the skinny tires were fantastic on snowy roads. Even did some mild off reading in it because the suspension was raised up nicely. Am I a Citroen fan? YES. Would I have a new Citroen? NO. Bring back the phenomenal sphere suspension and I’d be the first in the showroom. Greetings from Cumbria in the U.K. Stay safe and well.
Growing Up I dreamt of owning a BX GTi, loved It! My dad had a Xantia, nothing stays on a córner like that car did. Big Citroen should be revered, always with pump suspension, always
I want to love this car and I am happy Citroën still tries to build big, comfortable cars. But the DS, CX, BX and XM were quirky because of the innovations, the C5 X however is quirky because they really tried hard to make it quirky
It's heartbreaking to see what Citroen has become. The BX was a worthy successor of the GS and was unlike anything in its class. It had the distinctive Citroen silhouette. It had a single spoke steering wheel and a cockpit design that was nothing like any other car on the market. It had the hydropneumatic suspension. In short, it was a genuine Citroen through and through. In comparison, what is the C5X? Only the 18365847684576th crossover, perfectly interchangeable with any other.
I am Scandinavian, and in the eighties, I got a company car. A Citroen CX. Of course front wheel drive, and went out to try to do a Scandinavian Flick with it. It didn't go very well. Handbrake is on the front wheels. Didn't crash or anything stupid, but I've learn something.
We have the C5-x hybrid since november 2022 replacing a DS-5 and love it. Drives really well, tows the caravan with ease and we can get approx 52 km's on a battery charge. Next to it we have a 1987 BX 19 GTi. Fun, loud and enjoying to drive and as mentioned with it's 126 bhp quite fast. The C5-x is well put together, spacious and indeed very quiet. Sadly the adaptive suspension, although comfortable, is no match for the BX's far superior hydropneumatic suspension.
It was actually the GS which was Citroën’s first entry into the mid-size market, bridging the gap between the 2CV/Dyane/Ami and the lower-spec D-models. The BX is of course its successor. However, the GS is such a small car that I would agree on using the BX for comparison. This class of car has grown incrementally from the BX at approx 4,26 m via the Xantia at just around 4,4m to the c5 X7 at over 4,8 m for the estate. However, I am sure that Citroën is trying to infuse the C5X with some panache from the CX (I think the X has to do with that as well) at 4,65 m and of course also the XM at 4,7 m - top of the line at their time and the equivalent to a Mercedes E-class but still rather compact in today’s marketplace. Only the XM could really rival the C5X for rear space and I also feel that its concept is the closest to the C5X. As for the BX, it is a great driver’s car with still impressive suspension though it lacks the refinement of the others. I currently own a BX GTi, as well as a DS, an SM and some CXes and have previously owned two XM TCT as well.
Why don't they just bring back the marvelous design of the BX/CX in a modern car? The modern Citroëns are hard to distinguish from the rest of the market. I'd love a fully electric BX with good range and fast charging and modern tech...
I owned a BX 16 RS Great car, very comfortable, pretty economical, loved the suspension. Owned the car for 10 years. Never failed its MOT. Got written off by a moron driving an XR3i on my side of the road. One of the few cars where I'd happily have another.
Having owned four BX's in the 80s and 90s it was good to be reminded what brilliant cars they were. As for the brakes, they just needed some acclimatisation and a delicate touch to actually be smooth and progressive while the clutch and throttle had short precise movements to match. Despite the smooth ride, there was still a feeling of connection to the car and it was satisfyingly involving to drive. The C5X on the other hand looks like a blob that will provide nothing more than an isolated and dreary driving experience.
Do you know when will the BX be a available for order? It looks so modern and Avant Garde that I am afraid it will never leave prototype stage or if it does, I bet it will look nothing like that!
Great review except you missed out the last C5 which was brilliant and was very Germanic in a Citroen way. Sadly didn’t do really that well in the UK. Estate version did marginally better.
I have one of these, they sold quite well here in Sweden, and a great majority are estates. While it is a really good car which we use for our longer trips, 11 years old, 250k km and no major failures, runs on 100 % renewable diesel, I am still keeping a Xantia estate because of its better load capacity and because it's more fun to drive.
I owned a later BX 19GT which had a much bigger spoiler. I made the mistake of selling it when it was still running well and had a new clutch and front suspension units. As well as the great suspension the seats were really well padded. One feature of the ride height adjustment was that if you raised it to maximum it only had to be jacked up a small amount to get the wheel off the ground.
When jacking it up, you put it on high placed the jack on the jacking point then lowered the suspension to normal and the wheel raised off the ground! "It's so easy to do, that even a woman can do it", as the old advert said. Ah the good old day's of political incorrectness.😉
Brilliant video, excellent presenter. Really good watch with lots of lovely Citroen content. 🙂 Although, £28k is not good value for a car. Swanky but expensive!
Three time bx owner here so I'm slightly biased Sitting in the bx it looked like you were part of the car Sitting in the C5 it looked like it was trying to crush you and also weighs twice the BX Modern car design is diabolical
French car makers need to have a look though their back catalogue and bring back some of their old 'edgy' designs. Almost like restomods from the manufacturer - Renault 5, Peugeot 205, that BX, DS and various others. VW have just done it with the ID Buzz and the waiting lists are crazy. With all this old creative design history and patents no doubt they should be looking at their past for inspiration and not trying to follow in the Germans footsteps. Their flare is what made them popular in the past. These are risks and banks/stakeholders tend to shy away for risk but these french cars will forever be in the shadow of the German manufacturers unless they do something different
Xantia owner here. Some interesting facts / details. First the brakes, they are very odd aren't they? Hahaha, but they're really not as switch like as reviewers make them out to be. You gotta treat it like it goes of pressure applied to the pedal, rather than pedal travel. As for handling. You can get the spheres in a variety of pressures. And some of them are also adjustable. Changing the sphere pressure has a massive effect on how the car feels. You can go lower pressure than factory, and get a really boaty, but even more comfortable car. On the other hand, you can go higher pressure and get much more sporty, yet still comfortable car. Personally I have the low pressure spheres on my car. As it's my daily driver.
When will people find some other word to describe Citroen other than quirky. Also you can't persuade folks into Citroen until they have experienced Citroen.
I reviewed the Citroen C5 X in my channel, I also saw the 1973 Citroen DS and the 1972 Citroen SM. The Citroen C5 X reminds me of the XM a lot! It seems like Citroen is trying to uphold its heritage, but it just doesn't feel the same anymore. Here are my reasons why: 1. Made in China, no C5 X production in France. 2. Pretentious, it's trying to be a hybrid between a crossover suv and fast back. 3. Stellantis, chances of spotting FCA parts on board. Not very relatable anymore, I feel like the only try Citroen remaining today would be the C3 or Berlingo. Great video, greetings from Belgium
I had a new BX once. It was futuristic, beautiful, at the edge of design. Comfortable, good to drive.... ...but the engine mounting cracked, brake pipes corroded to shit and the underside turned out to be full of rust. Never again.
I've owned a CX in Pallas trip. Fantastic driver ergonomics. I also had a 1971 DS21.Easily the most comfortable and best riding car I ever owned and only sold for health reasons. If that is not enough I had a Xantia as a daily driver for several years. All wonderful cars.
No, the C5 X is not a fitting addition to Citroen's long history of innovative cars. It's not innovative, while the DS, GS, CX, BX and even the 2 CV were. Those were quirky because Citroen's engineers (and stylists) did do things differently because they thought their ideas were better than the mainstream, while modern Citroens' quirkiness is just superficial and there for the sake of being oh-so-quirky. The C5 X is also a horribly ugly blob.
Agreed, the mcpherson in the bx does'nt have a compensation for the lean of the strut. the lateral forces and the friction in the seals will make it harsh on short bumps.
I would choose the BX ….it looks more modern and individuell as the c5x to mee . I like these retro future design. The CX5 is Not Bad but the actual cars are all to bulky and overwight. The future of cars is a chassis like the BX in combination with a electric engine. Imagine the BX with a 70kw battery …..ultra longe range.
I will not buy C5 X, it is not a citoren that I know. They killed the whole C5 brand with the SUV from 2017. The C5 X is a pathetic attempt to make all crowds happy - Sedan, hatchback and crossover in one. It used to be a choice to make what type of C5 you wanted. Sedan, estate or Crossover Estate for that extra plastic protection and increased height. As a proud owner of C5 ( gen3) estate.... The last Citroen Estate. I will not buy a Citroen if it is not a estate. I will look at other cars like 508, Mondeo, Passat etc
Hello from Manchester. We had a GS in the family in Greece back in the 90s for years it was an 1.1 model. We've even travelled most of Western Europe with it. Something you failed mentioning is that in the BX Sam as in GS models, and all similar onse you can't just rev and drive from cold. But you have to wait frew minutes until vehicle leveled it self.
A very well presented and informative video Chris. That lineage back to the BX was very well explained. As you mention though this might just be Citroen's swansong in the declining 'D' segment. That would be a shame.
You are right. I read an article the other day which stated that the C5X will be the last big Citroën. In their wisdom, Stellantis ( daft name) , the owner of Peugeot-Citroën, Chrysler, Jeep etc have decided to concentrate on small Citroëns. It resonates with the Chrysler purchase of the Rootes Group in the late '60's. It single-handedly destroyed the Rootes marques Hillman, Humber,Singer, Sunbeam and rebadged them as Chrysler's. The quality was abysmal and Chrysler eventually fizzled out . The damage had been done.
Had a BX DTR 1.7 diesel, A Xantia 1.9TD, An XM 2.5TD Exclusive, all Hatchback. Now I have a C5 Exclusive 2.0 163bhp tourer (Estate) also Hydro-Pneumatic suspension. Now that they have phased out the Hydro suspension it will be the last Citroen I buy.
I think Citroen are trying to say this is the combo of CX and C5... I like that Citroen have returned to their focus on COMFORT.... A tonic from the German sporty & hard... Big and Wafty. Loved the C6. Style and Comfort and incredible waft factor with huge character.
I had two BX’s in succession, both naturally aspirated XUD diesels… both excellent to drive efficient and comfortable, until they start spewing LHM all over the road and the dreaded STOP light starts flickering.
The BX was not the first medium sized car. There was the GS and then the GSA. The predecessors to the C5 were in reverse chronological order, XM, CX, DS/ID, Traction Avant. The Xanxia was a bit smaller, the C6 bigger (on par with a CX). The SM is in its own category.
Everybody always says that the BX was followed by the Xantia. I guess so. I had enjoyed 2 BX's (14e and 16TRS) and followed it up with a Xsara (station). Only then did I go to Xantia #1 and then Xantia #2 - with leather seats, automatic [ my daughter thinks this is the best car I ever had. ] The Xsara wasn't a particular astonishing car (and I only had it for about 18 months) but I notice that nobody mentions it when they talk about the BX and 'what came next'. Why is that? Did we forget about it? Was the Xsara never meant to succeed the BX? Because - at that time - I thought it was the BX-follow-up. By the way: After Xantia #2 was declared braindead (after 500k+ km's), I came home with a C5 Type III - diesel automatic with almost all the options. My goodness! What. A. Car! Okay, a sedan so no more 'big boot' but man... that car took me and my family all over Europe and was - in my opinion - the best car I ever had. I drive a ë-C4 now. It's quite nice.
Excellent review I love how you revisted what Citroën ought to be. Although given the C5X, I would compare that car to an XM. Wish the C5X (or XM, etc) were EVs tho! Love the Citroen BX, all Citroens really. In earnest, BX had the kamm back profile of a Prius, the horsepower of a Prius, but some 400kg lughter.
i think the bx was a really unusual distinct and progressive car for its time. the c5x fits into today's, in my opinion, completely overloaded and ordinary design of today.
Personally, I can’t tell one angry LED headlamped, gaping grilled, diamond cut black wheeled, tractor exhausted, plastic fake air inletted hideous monstrosity from another these days.
Hydro pneumatic suspension provides 80% of what a limited slip does for you The self leveling system makes it so that all wheels nearly always carry the same load Put a conventionally sprung car in a pot hole, and the wheel in the pot hole will carry more of the cars weight relative to it sitting level Citroens system circumvents that. Lots of stories available from fans telling you how they got respect from 4WD guys, how they got traction in places FWD open diff should not have, etc
Funny, I had 4 BX, 1 CX, 1 XM. And the suspension system was licensed to use by RR, Bently, and MB. Funny story, maybe. I now live in Los Angeles, and many years ago, my parents came to visit, and I picked them up in my Lexus LS 430. They had a Xantia. My mom said Nice car, but what a terrible ride.
This car was actually designed for the Chinese market, where it has sold really well. The cars are made in Wuhan at the Stellantis joint Peugeot Citroen Donfeng factory. The only thing French about them is the name. The petrol cars ride and handle better than the heavier hybrids and are much better value. The 1.2 Sense Plus model is exceptional value for money. A friend of mine has just handed his Mazda CX5 back for a new Mazda 6 saloon. He got fed up with the ride quality and has gone back to the 6. So maybe D segment cars might be making a comeback?
Citroen is not longer what it was, is just a shadow under the high oak of Peugeot ( Stellantis), because to a business to be done effectively on so competitive market like auto one, the final product must be produced to a large wide consumer desires, so, a low niche brand like Citroen where all the things are from outer worlds is not effective at all.
It's nice that they're still trying, I suppose, but I'd much rather have an early GT model BX, Xantia Activa, or a late model XM V6 over this or basically any modern European car in the same class. If I really had to get a new one, I think I'd take the Peugeot 508 instead, based on looks alone.
I had a Xantia and loved it. Thought it would fall apart but it lasted well and hardy needed tyres due to the suspension. I remember having a flat tyre.. I jacked the car up on the suspension, put the jack underneath and then lowered the car..It lifted the wheel off the ground..brilliant.
I really fancy the C5X PHEV as my next Company car..at last a car that is comfortable rather than sporty. Great for my 1000miles per week.
I have a 1983 CX and a 2002 Airmatic S-Class. The Citroën is in another league. After riding in it you’d be hard pressed to describe the Mercedes as comfortable. The Citroën really is in another league entirely.
As an also owner of CX Pallas 83 model can fully concur...never equaled..never bettered
and this should have been a comparison between the CX and the new model..
@@lonewarrior1543 I am a bit confused, which one is the new model? Because this C5x looks a bit... Normal, a bit dated but the 83 CX seems like it is from the far future! Specially when they have those shades in the rear window (not sure how they are called)
@@TheAllMightyGodofCod luxurious cars almost always had sun shades in the rear window and on the rear passenger windows, nothing special about those. :P
@@thedeadlinger6992 are you Lone warrior's second account?
My dad was a citroen guy, we had successively a GS, three BXs and a Xantia, when I was a kid. I just got a new C4 and even without the special suspension, so much of the experience reminded me of the Xantia, which was my first car as a freshly licensed driver, I’m sure he would have loved it… Great cars all of them!
I'm 42. I remember going on holiday to the South of France camping with my friend and his parents in their BX GT aged 11. I loved that car. I remember my friend's dad getting props from the French for driving it as a Brit! I remember it being super smooth. Sleeping in the back wasn't a problem in those squishy velour seats, with the air suspension. A brilliant holiday!
And, while the BX may look a little dated these days, I still think the Xantia is a great looking car today, very well proportioned.
Aersome video, cheers! 👍
My dad had a Xantia and it was the first car I drove after I got my license, to this day it remains the standard by which I judge other vehicles…
To drive a Citroën is a joy. The combination of handling and comfort is amazing. A Citroën spoils you for other cars.
Citroen bx did not get the recognition it deserved! The BX 19 diesel was a gamechanger.
It won ‘Towing Car of The Year’ in the 1980s
In 1988 i bought a 3 year old black BX19 GT, on a 'C' plate just like this one. I really enjoyed that car. The 105bhp 8 valve was enough to have fun, and also the power was there from the get go, you didn't have to rev the thing out to about 4000 rpm before anything happens, as you typically have to do with 16 valve engines. You couldn't throw it around like a hot hatch. The driving style to go quickly on a country road was more a case of adjusting to the rhythm of the car. Once you'd done that, you could hustle the BX along very quickly. Thanks for video, really lovely seeing a BX 19 GT again.
especially when you realize the BX weighs less than a modern Mini,105 bhp is easily enough to have fun in something that light.
@@TheChill001 Indeed. Though to be fair, the BMW Mini is a lump of lard.
Pity the BX designer didn't get a mention!
It was designed by Marcello Gandini, who had the Lamborghini Countach on his drawing board at the same time.
Gandini liked the finished BX so much, he used one everyday for some time....
My father ran BX's as taxi's back in the day we had a 17RD hatch do 100k in 13 months and a 19RD estate that had over 150k on the clock at 18 months old, Absolutely superb cars.
Non-self cancelling indicators are fantastic! They are so light to operate and you only ever have to turn them on and off once when turning. In every other car, I find you have to use much more force to turn indicators on, then they turn off again when you get into a turn-lane and straighten up so you have to turn them on again! I think this is why most people only indicate when they begin to turn and they turn from the middle lane, not from the turn-lane.
CITROEN: Amazing cars really...underrated
Your right they just keep going with no problems like and old Toyota 😂
The C5X reminds me of my old DS5, which I absolutely loved. It was a weid mix of being a large hatchback with a slightly raised ride height. Will definitely consider a C5X when I come to replace my current car (DS 7 crossback)
I think the C5X looks much better then both the Ds5 and DS7 it definitely a step forward in car design
My current car is ds5 2016, so restyle version. And I also consider this car or new ds4 as my next car.
Can we say C5X is similar to Volvo V60 CC?
@@mrmerm not really as the volvo is more practical
I had a BX series 1 and 2. A 1.9 diesel which was incredibly comfortable and economical then a 1.7 turbo diesel intercooler. That was seriously quick but still incredibly economical. At that time I was living in southern Italy and on a drive to London I did it in 18 hours inc. the ferry wait and travel! That was before the speed cameras 😂. Did I love the BX? Most certainly YES. At the same time I also had a C15D which was a van based on the Visa car. That was a non turbo diesel but it flew. It was so light. And the skinny tires were fantastic on snowy roads. Even did some mild off reading in it because the suspension was raised up nicely. Am I a Citroen fan? YES. Would I have a new Citroen? NO. Bring back the phenomenal sphere suspension and I’d be the first in the showroom.
Greetings from Cumbria in the U.K.
Stay safe and well.
Growing Up I dreamt of owning a BX GTi, loved It! My dad had a Xantia, nothing stays on a córner like that car did. Big Citroen should be revered, always with pump suspension, always
I love the C5X low slung look it gives me hope as I hate conventional suvs which every manufacturer is turning to.
Seen the height of it next to the BX 😂
2 beautiful cars, I am in love with older cars thesedays, cars I grew up with or even older. They are so nice and nostalgic
you cant call a bx or the other thing beautiful
I want to love this car and I am happy Citroën still tries to build big, comfortable cars. But the DS, CX, BX and XM were quirky because of the innovations, the C5 X however is quirky because they really tried hard to make it quirky
Peugeot ruined Citroën
They saved it.
Its not very quirky but it is cool, all big Citroens should have the hydro suspension
It's heartbreaking to see what Citroen has become. The BX was a worthy successor of the GS and was unlike anything in its class. It had the distinctive Citroen silhouette. It had a single spoke steering wheel and a cockpit design that was nothing like any other car on the market. It had the hydropneumatic suspension. In short, it was a genuine Citroen through and through. In comparison, what is the C5X? Only the 18365847684576th crossover, perfectly interchangeable with any other.
You should have shown the C5 series 2.
I am Scandinavian, and in the eighties, I got a company car. A Citroen CX. Of course front wheel drive, and went out to try to do a Scandinavian Flick with it. It didn't go very well. Handbrake is on the front wheels. Didn't crash or anything stupid, but I've learn something.
Long live Citroen and French car makers (my fav being Peugeot & DS Automobiles) !
I do like the DS brand! I reviewed the DS9 last year and it was epic
We have the C5-x hybrid since november 2022 replacing a DS-5 and love it. Drives really well, tows the caravan with ease and we can get approx 52 km's on a battery charge. Next to it we have a 1987 BX 19 GTi. Fun, loud and enjoying to drive and as mentioned with it's 126 bhp quite fast. The C5-x is well put together, spacious and indeed very quiet. Sadly the adaptive suspension, although comfortable, is no match for the BX's far superior hydropneumatic suspension.
It was actually the GS which was Citroën’s first entry into the mid-size market, bridging the gap between the 2CV/Dyane/Ami and the lower-spec D-models. The BX is of course its successor. However, the GS is such a small car that I would agree on using the BX for comparison. This class of car has grown incrementally from the BX at approx 4,26 m via the Xantia at just around 4,4m to the c5 X7 at over 4,8 m for the estate. However, I am sure that Citroën is trying to infuse the C5X with some panache from the CX (I think the X has to do with that as well) at 4,65 m and of course also the XM at 4,7 m - top of the line at their time and the equivalent to a Mercedes E-class but still rather compact in today’s marketplace. Only the XM could really rival the C5X for rear space and I also feel that its concept is the closest to the C5X. As for the BX, it is a great driver’s car with still impressive suspension though it lacks the refinement of the others. I currently own a BX GTi, as well as a DS, an SM and some CXes and have previously owned two XM TCT as well.
Why don't they just bring back the marvelous design of the BX/CX in a modern car? The modern Citroëns are hard to distinguish from the rest of the market. I'd love a fully electric BX with good range and fast charging and modern tech...
I owned a BX 16 RS
Great car, very comfortable, pretty economical, loved the suspension.
Owned the car for 10 years. Never failed its MOT. Got written off by a moron driving an XR3i on my side of the road.
One of the few cars where I'd happily have another.
Loved this video! My dad used to have a BX as well. Currently I drive a C5 from 2003 just for the ride quality.
Good choice!
Having owned four BX's in the 80s and 90s it was good to be reminded what brilliant cars they were. As for the brakes, they just needed some acclimatisation and a delicate touch to actually be smooth and progressive while the clutch and throttle had short precise movements to match. Despite the smooth ride, there was still a feeling of connection to the car and it was satisfyingly involving to drive.
The C5X on the other hand looks like a blob that will provide nothing more than an isolated and dreary driving experience.
My first car , 1.4 RE mk1. I was 18, and the car was 15. Lots of good memories.
Do you know when will the BX be a available for order? It looks so modern and Avant Garde that I am afraid it will never leave prototype stage or if it does, I bet it will look nothing like that!
Yes please. I want a new one, should never have gotten rid of my old BX DTR.
Great video 👍 My first BX was a white Mk1 GT. really impressed 😎 Lovely seeing one on the video.
Superb video ! Citroën BX meets C4 would be a better comparisation. But many thanks for making this. Citroën is back on track.
Great review except you missed out the last C5 which was brilliant and was very Germanic in a Citroen way. Sadly didn’t do really that well in the UK. Estate version did marginally better.
I have one of these, they sold quite well here in Sweden, and a great majority are estates. While it is a really good car which we use for our longer trips, 11 years old, 250k km and no major failures, runs on 100 % renewable diesel, I am still keeping a Xantia estate because of its better load capacity and because it's more fun to drive.
I owned a later BX 19GT which had a much bigger spoiler. I made the mistake of selling it when it was still running well and had a new clutch and front suspension units. As well as the great suspension the seats were really well padded. One feature of the ride height adjustment was that if you raised it to maximum it only had to be jacked up a small amount to get the wheel off the ground.
When jacking it up, you put it on high placed the jack on the jacking point then lowered the suspension to normal and the wheel raised off the ground!
"It's so easy to do, that even a woman can do it", as the old advert said.
Ah the good old day's of political incorrectness.😉
@@nigelnightmare4160 Sounds good. But then the wheelbrace fails and you have to call the RAC (it happened to me)
Brilliant video, excellent presenter. Really good watch with lots of lovely Citroen content. 🙂 Although, £28k is not good value for a car. Swanky but expensive!
It is today, nothing’s cheap anymore
Average cost of an SUV in the UK is £38k and the average cost of a saloon is £33k, I think that does make this very good value!
I had a BX GT. I miss it.
Three time bx owner here so I'm slightly biased
Sitting in the bx it looked like you were part of the car
Sitting in the C5 it looked like it was trying to crush you and also weighs twice the BX
Modern car design is diabolical
French car makers need to have a look though their back catalogue and bring back some of their old 'edgy' designs. Almost like restomods from the manufacturer - Renault 5, Peugeot 205, that BX, DS and various others. VW have just done it with the ID Buzz and the waiting lists are crazy.
With all this old creative design history and patents no doubt they should be looking at their past for inspiration and not trying to follow in the Germans footsteps. Their flare is what made them popular in the past. These are risks and banks/stakeholders tend to shy away for risk but these french cars will forever be in the shadow of the German manufacturers unless they do something different
The c5x looks so elegant in black, love it
I passed my driving test in a Citroen ZX. I always wondered what the letters signified: AX, BX, CX, ZX.
Loved my BX..possibly the most comfortable car I have ever owned..
Got the bx as an old-timer car. Great and reliable.
Xantia owner here. Some interesting facts / details.
First the brakes, they are very odd aren't they? Hahaha, but they're really not as switch like as reviewers make them out to be. You gotta treat it like it goes of pressure applied to the pedal, rather than pedal travel.
As for handling. You can get the spheres in a variety of pressures. And some of them are also adjustable. Changing the sphere pressure has a massive effect on how the car feels.
You can go lower pressure than factory, and get a really boaty, but even more comfortable car.
On the other hand, you can go higher pressure and get much more sporty, yet still comfortable car.
Personally I have the low pressure spheres on my car. As it's my daily driver.
When will people find some other word to describe Citroen other than quirky. Also you can't persuade folks into Citroen until they have experienced Citroen.
I reviewed the Citroen C5 X in my channel, I also saw the 1973 Citroen DS and the 1972 Citroen SM.
The Citroen C5 X reminds me of the XM a lot! It seems like Citroen is trying to uphold its heritage, but it just doesn't feel the same anymore.
Here are my reasons why:
1. Made in China, no C5 X production in France.
2. Pretentious, it's trying to be a hybrid between a crossover suv and fast back.
3. Stellantis, chances of spotting FCA parts on board.
Not very relatable anymore, I feel like the only try Citroen remaining today would be the C3 or Berlingo.
Great video, greetings from Belgium
I had a new BX once. It was futuristic, beautiful, at the edge of design. Comfortable, good to drive....
...but the engine mounting cracked, brake pipes corroded to shit and the underside turned out to be full of rust. Never again.
Excellent video, thank you! the BX was absolutely awesome when it was released, and the C5X is pretty good as well.
I've owned a CX in Pallas trip. Fantastic driver ergonomics. I also had a 1971 DS21.Easily the most comfortable and best riding car I ever owned and only sold for health reasons. If that is not enough I had a Xantia as a daily driver for several years. All wonderful cars.
No, the C5 X is not a fitting addition to Citroen's long history of innovative cars. It's not innovative, while the DS, GS, CX, BX and even the 2 CV were. Those were quirky because Citroen's engineers (and stylists) did do things differently because they thought their ideas were better than the mainstream, while modern Citroens' quirkiness is just superficial and there for the sake of being oh-so-quirky.
The C5 X is also a horribly ugly blob.
What's remarkable is that the DS and CX have an even smoother ride than the BX because the BX has McPherson struts at the front.
Agreed, the mcpherson in the bx does'nt have a compensation for the lean of the strut. the lateral forces and the friction in the seals will make it harsh on short bumps.
I would choose the BX ….it looks more modern and individuell as the c5x to mee . I like these retro future design. The CX5 is Not Bad but the actual cars are all to bulky and overwight.
The future of cars is a chassis like the BX in combination with a electric engine. Imagine the BX with a 70kw battery …..ultra longe range.
I will not buy C5 X, it is not a citoren that I know. They killed the whole C5 brand with the SUV from 2017. The C5 X is a pathetic attempt to make all crowds happy - Sedan, hatchback and crossover in one. It used to be a choice to make what type of C5 you wanted. Sedan, estate or Crossover Estate for that extra plastic protection and increased height.
As a proud owner of C5 ( gen3) estate.... The last Citroen Estate. I will not buy a Citroen if it is not a estate. I will look at other cars like 508, Mondeo, Passat etc
Hello from Manchester. We had a GS in the family in Greece back in the 90s for years it was an 1.1 model. We've even travelled most of Western Europe with it. Something you failed mentioning is that in the BX Sam as in GS models, and all similar onse you can't just rev and drive from cold. But you have to wait frew minutes until vehicle leveled it self.
A very well presented and informative video Chris. That lineage back to the BX was very well explained. As you mention though this might just be Citroen's swansong in the declining 'D' segment. That would be a shame.
You are right. I read an article the other day which stated that the C5X will be the last big Citroën. In their wisdom, Stellantis ( daft name) , the owner of Peugeot-Citroën, Chrysler, Jeep etc have decided to concentrate on small Citroëns. It resonates with the Chrysler purchase of the Rootes Group in the late '60's. It single-handedly destroyed the Rootes marques Hillman, Humber,Singer, Sunbeam and rebadged them as Chrysler's. The quality was abysmal and Chrysler eventually fizzled out . The damage had been done.
The issue today is that all manufactures are chasing the same market and same design. The only difference is the badge.
Yeah, there was a time when Citroen made really innovative cars...instead of the simply weird designs of today.
Ordered one , hopefully arriving before end of October 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
Had a BX DTR 1.7 diesel, A Xantia 1.9TD, An XM 2.5TD Exclusive, all Hatchback.
Now I have a C5 Exclusive 2.0 163bhp tourer (Estate) also Hydro-Pneumatic suspension.
Now that they have phased out the Hydro suspension it will be the last Citroen I buy.
Great video, loved seeing these two! I miss the big comfy Citroen's
I think Citroen are trying to say this is the combo of CX and C5...
I like that Citroen have returned to their focus on COMFORT....
A tonic from the German sporty & hard... Big and Wafty.
Loved the C6. Style and Comfort and incredible waft factor with huge character.
Fantastic video and a really wonderful presenter. Thank you!
Our pleasure!
Nice presentation!
Takes me back, really enjoyed driving the BX.
I still prefer the BX... 😘
I had two BX’s in succession, both naturally aspirated XUD diesels… both excellent to drive efficient and comfortable, until they start spewing LHM all over the road and the dreaded STOP light starts flickering.
The BX was not the first medium sized car. There was the GS and then the GSA.
The predecessors to the C5 were in reverse chronological order, XM, CX, DS/ID, Traction Avant.
The Xanxia was a bit smaller, the C6 bigger (on par with a CX). The SM is in its own category.
BX was a great car
Give me the BX every day.
I don't think i will ever own a SUV, i just got myself a BX as my first car
Everybody always says that the BX was followed by the Xantia. I guess so.
I had enjoyed 2 BX's (14e and 16TRS) and followed it up with a Xsara (station). Only then did I go to Xantia #1 and then Xantia #2 - with leather seats, automatic [ my daughter thinks this is the best car I ever had. ]
The Xsara wasn't a particular astonishing car (and I only had it for about 18 months) but I notice that nobody mentions it when they talk about the BX and 'what came next'.
Why is that? Did we forget about it? Was the Xsara never meant to succeed the BX? Because - at that time - I thought it was the BX-follow-up.
By the way: After Xantia #2 was declared braindead (after 500k+ km's), I came home with a C5 Type III - diesel automatic with almost all the options. My goodness! What. A. Car! Okay, a sedan so no more 'big boot' but man... that car took me and my family all over Europe and was - in my opinion - the best car I ever had.
I drive a ë-C4 now. It's quite nice.
I'll take the BX
Excellent review I love how you revisted what Citroën ought to be. Although given the C5X, I would compare that car to an XM. Wish the C5X (or XM, etc) were EVs tho!
Love the Citroen BX, all Citroens really.
In earnest, BX had the kamm back profile of a Prius, the horsepower of a Prius, but some 400kg lughter.
i think the bx was a really unusual distinct and progressive car for its time. the c5x fits into today's, in my opinion, completely overloaded and ordinary design of today.
I remember the BX 19 GTi 16V and the BX Sport.
What a stunner! Can imagine Kate Middeton stepping down from this car, I dunno why, but it suits her!
An French classic with hydropneumatic suspension and optional 4WD versus a Chinese-built, 2WD-only ugly crossover
You smiled more in the 'old school' car vs. the 'new school' car. Is that progress?
Personally, I can’t tell one angry LED headlamped, gaping grilled, diamond cut black wheeled, tractor exhausted, plastic fake air inletted hideous monstrosity from another these days.
Hydro pneumatic suspension provides 80% of what a limited slip does for you
The self leveling system makes it so that all wheels nearly always carry the same load
Put a conventionally sprung car in a pot hole, and the wheel in the pot hole will carry more of the cars weight relative to it sitting level
Citroens system circumvents that. Lots of stories available from fans telling you how they got respect from 4WD guys, how they got traction in places FWD open diff should not have, etc
I had a BX back in the day. I think I bought it because it was the only diesel that was automatic at that time. Wife didn't like the comfort much!
Funny, I had 4 BX, 1 CX, 1 XM. And the suspension system was licensed to use by RR, Bently, and MB. Funny story, maybe. I now live in Los Angeles, and many years ago, my parents came to visit, and I picked them up in my Lexus LS 430. They had a Xantia. My mom said Nice car, but what a terrible ride.
Is the C5X a variant of the Buick Regal estate? An Citroen, Opel, Buick badge engineering exercise.
It just goes to show just how much Citroen, and cars in general, have regressed in the last 40 years .
The C5 never replace the BX, it was made for replace the Citroen XM and this C5x is the logic following for the XM
bx is briliant car
I like BX i had 19 TRD. Fantastic car
First without hydractive? No, the facelifted C5 (2007 on) used steel suspension, except on the very top of range.
Cool informative review by a handsome fella too
Isn't this the same estate where up n down is at? And a BX he has worked on?
Give me the BX any day! BX replaced by Xantia then C5 so yes a long lost parent!
This car was actually designed for the Chinese market, where it has sold really well. The cars are made in Wuhan at the Stellantis joint
Peugeot Citroen Donfeng factory. The only thing French about them is the name.
The petrol cars ride and handle better than the heavier hybrids and are much better value. The 1.2 Sense Plus model is exceptional value for money.
A friend of mine has just handed his Mazda CX5 back for a new Mazda 6 saloon. He got fed up with the ride quality and has gone back to the 6. So maybe D segment cars might be making a comeback?
i prefere de bx by far
I'd take the BX over that new thing.. any day.
0:18 what about c5x7?
Degenration as grandpartner had a one only suspension.
1.2 Litre - lovely....
On paper... this 1.2Litre = 92kW, so compares very closely with the BX engines (Citroën BX 19 GTi 8V = 92kW)... Wikipedia
The video is forgetting the second generation C5 and the Citroen GS…
I'm surprised Citroen don't just put a modern engine in the old ds and start selling that again.
Citroen is not longer what it was, is just a shadow under the high oak of Peugeot ( Stellantis), because to a business to be done effectively on so competitive market like auto one, the final product must be produced to a large wide consumer desires, so, a low niche brand like Citroen where all the things are from outer worlds is not effective at all.
It's nice that they're still trying, I suppose, but I'd much rather have an early GT model BX, Xantia Activa, or a late model XM V6 over this or basically any modern European car in the same class. If I really had to get a new one, I think I'd take the Peugeot 508 instead, based on looks alone.
Nice car' but £ 40000 for a new hybrid is totally ridiculous.
I just bought a citreon xzara 80000 miles 2yrs ago and it's running great at £1350.