Citroën C5 Aircross vs Renault Koleos vs KIA Sportage: which one is the best value for money?
Citroën briefly exited South Africa, however, during 2019 the French automaker made its return with three new models. One of those is the C5 Aircross which occupy the flagship position. We compare the large SUV with the Renault Koleos and KIA Sportage to find out which one is the best value for money.
Between the years 2016 and 2019, the only Citroën vehicles you would have been able to purchase were used models. However, during 2019, the French automaker made a return to local shores under the PCSA (Peugeot, Citroën South Africa) group. As part of the comeback, the manufacturer introduced three new models namely the C3, C3 Aircross and the C5 Aircross.
Related: Review: The Citroën C5 Aircross (2020) will reignite your love for French cars
All three the new additions were welcomed with enthusiasm to the local market, however, would not be without competition. The C5 Aircross is made available in two trim levels, Shine and Feel, the former being the top-of-the-range offering. For this comparison, we will be comparing the Citroën C5 Aircross in Shine guise with the Renault Koleos in Dynamique 4WD trim and the KIA Sportage EX Plus.
Citroën C5 Aircross 1.6T Shine
The Citroën measures 4 500 mm in length, 2 099 mm wide and 1 689 mm tall. The French model rides on 18-inch alloy wheels and offer owners halogen headlamps with LED daytime running lights. The interior provides 520-litres of luggage space as standard and up to 1 630-litres with the rear seats folded flat. The driver benefits from a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster while both front occupants gain access to an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
Passive safety is taken care of by the standard 6 airbags fitted, front passengers getting front and side airbags while the rear passengers benefit from side curtain airbags. Active safety is addressed with the incorporation of ABS brakes with electronic brake assist and brake-force distribution systems. Drivers can also expect a traction control and stability control system as well as hill-start assist.
Other notable items include front and rear park distance control, a coffee break alert, keyless entry and start, reverse camera with 180 degrees viewing angle, active lane departure warning, driver attention assist and active blind-spot monitoring. Under the bonnet features a 1.6-litre, turbocharged petrol motor coupled to a 6-speed automatic transmission producing 121 kW and 240 Nm of torque.
The Citroen C5 Aircross comes standard with a 5-year / 100 000 km warranty and a 5-year / 100 000 km service plan.
Renault Koleos 2.5 Dynamique 4WD
The Renault Koleos is the longest of the three measuring 4 673 mm, 2 063 mm wide and 1 678 mm tall. Similar to the C5, the Koleos utilises 18-inch alloy wheels in each corner of the vehicle. The Renault outshines the rest as it comes fitted with LED daytime running lights as well as LED Pure Vision headlamps as standard.
Although the C5 beats the Koleos in the department of standard luggage space, the Renault offering 464-litres. The Koleos offer the most luggage space out fo the three competitors with the rear seats folded flat, providing for 1795-litres. Unlike on the other models, the centrally fitted 8.7-inch infotainment display is vertically oriented. The driver also benefits from a digital screen incorporated into the instrument binnacle.
Similar to the C5, the Koleos in Dynamique trim also comes standard with six airbags which is fitted on the front and side of the front occupants while the rear passengers benefit from curtain airbags. Like with the Citroën, customers can expect ABS brakes with electronic brake assist and brake-force distribution systems. Drivers can also expect a traction control and stability control system as well as hill-start assist.
One of the biggest features on the Renault that does not appear on the other competitors is the four-wheel-drive system. The Koleos comes fitted with a 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol motor coupled to a 5-step CVT transmission which is capable of sending 126 kW and 233 Nm of torque to all four wheels via the 4x4-i system.
The Renault Koleos 2.5 Dynamique 4WD comes standard with a 5-year / 150 000 km warranty and a 5-year / 90 000 km service plan.
KIA Sportage 2.0 EX Plus
The KIA Sportage is the shortest and thinnest of the three with its body dimension measuring 4 485 mm long and 1 855 wide. Even fitted with 19-inch alloy wheels, the biggest between the three competitors, the Sportage only measures 1 655 mm tall. Like the Aircross, the KIA comes fitted with halogen headlamps but feature LED daytime running lamps.
Luggage space is rated at an impressive 466-litres as standard but will only expand to 1 455-litres with the rear seats folded flat, the least out of all three rivals. The Sportage in EX Plus grade now comes fitted as standard with an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, however, the driver still retains analogue instrument dials with only a small information screen incorporated in the middle of the binnacle.
Like with the other two competitors, the Korean model also offers 6 airbags install in the same areas for the front and rear occupants. The KIA also provide customers with ABS brakes with electronic brake assist and brake-force distribution systems as well as traction control and stability control systems and hill-start assist, however additionally offer hill descent control unlike the other two.
The KIA Sportage comes fitted with a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The combination results in 115 kW and 196 Nm of torque sent to the two front wheels. The KIA Sportage 2.0 EX Plus comes standard with a 5-year / unlimited-kilometre warranty and a 5-year / 90 000 km service plan.
Conclusion
All three the vehicle occupy the same segment and in these flagship grades is priced very similar. The Citroën C5 Aircross 1.6T Shine comes in at R559 900 while the KIA Sportage 2.0 EX Plus is priced at R562 995. The Renault Koleos 2.5 Dynamique 4WD is the cheapest of the three, coming in at R554 900.
Although without a doubt the Citroën offers a lot of interior space and comfort to the occupants, the Renault and KIA are not bad places to be in. The KIA is, however, the smallest and the least powerful between the three but offers an unlimited-kilometre warranty, a testament to their manufacturing quality. However, if we look at the best value for money, it has to be the Renault Koleos.
Not only is it the most affordable out of the three, but it also offers a four-wheel-drive system which makes it the most capable when the going gets tough. Because of that, the Renault Koleos is our winner.
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