Citroen C-Crosser 2.2 HDi VTR+ 5dr Car Review - March 2012

Firm suspension means there is little movement or sway when going round corners and there is little noise from the engine which operates smoothly. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for road and wind noise which, whilst not excessive in the city, becomes much louder once the car is driven at motorway speeds.

With a maximum power output of 156 bhp at 4000 rpm and torque figures of 280 lb-ft at 2000 rpm, this family vehicle is capable of a fair boost of power considering its weight. A top speed of 124mph is impressive for such a vehicle as is being able to accelerate from 0-62 mph in 9.9 seconds. The model is flexible on the road with the steering and grip feeling firm and responsive.

The advanced trim level of the Citroen C-Crosser 2.2 HDi VTR+ means that there are plenty of features on offer for buyers. Power steering, central locking, stability control, alloy wheels, climate control, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, cruise control, an advanced stereo with MP3 connectivity and CD compatibility as well as Bluetooth connectivity is all offered as standard.

A built-in sat nav option can be added for a staggering £1,730 whilst a metallic paint finish on the exterior will set owners back an extra £490. Rear parking sensors and leather seats are not an option on this model.

This car offers fairly good levels of comfort and practicality and there is plenty of room within the cabin. As a seven seater, there is more than enough space for passengers and boot space is also generous. However, the additional two seats are only really suitable for children as leg room is cramped and the boot capacity is severely affected by having these seats in place. Overall, the capacity offers a modest 184 litres when all the seats are in place, expanding to an impressive maximum capacity of 1,686 litres when seats are folded.

Driver comfort is also fairly high in this model with a high driving position making visibility clear. The steering wheel can only be adjusted for height which can cause a few problems but most people should be able to find a position which suits them. The dashboard is uncluttered and well organised and this means operating controls whilst driving is easy.

Reliability levels are also considered strong thanks to a high quality build and finish within the vehicle. The Citroen C-Crosser 2.2 HDi VTR+ also performs well for safety, with driver, passenger and front side airbags all fitted as standard to ensure all occupants are protected.

The car also comes with a three year warranty at 60,000 miles and a service interval of 20,000 miles means maintenance should not be overly frequent.

Priced at £25,660 this 4x4 is far from cheap. Road tax will be a little steep under tax band H and with insurance premiums falling under bracket 37 these costs could begin to mount up for owners. Fuel efficiency is reasonable but buyers will need to decide whether this is enough to outweigh the other costs, especially as green credentials are fairly poorly with the car emitting 175 g/km of carbon dioxide.

The high performance levels of the car are an obvious benefit and the style and design make it attractive to buyers. However, the Citroen still lacks some of the superior materials and quality finish which are offered by class leaders.

The Citroen C-Crosser 2.2 HDi VTR+ is also unlikely to hold its value well and that means buyers will need to take the high risk of depreciation into consideration when making their purchase.