Citroën C5 Aircross - 1.6 Plug-in Hybrid 225 Shine

With a big boot and plug-in hybrid efficiency, this family SUV should suit our roving videographer very nicely

- Kiall Garrett

YOU NEVER FORGET the car you learned to drive in. For me, it was a Citroën C3, and I still vividly recall the thrill of taking it those first 20 metres or so at 5mph - and managing to avoid crashing into anything.

It's safe to say that I was no road tester, but nevertheless, during the course of my lessons, I was still able to notice and appreciate a subtle, calming waft to the C3's ride. And ever since then, I've had a soft spot (no pun intended) for models that place comfort ahead of handling.

With this in mind, I leapt at the chance to run a Citroën C5 Aircross family SUV as my company car, because the French manufacturer is well known for its policy of making comfort a high priority. First appearing in 2017, the C5 Aircross has recently been updated, giving it slimmer LED headlights and less unpainted plastic on the front bumper, for a more upmarket exterior look. Inside, meanwhile, material quality has been given a welcome lift. This can be most clearly seen around the base of the centre console, where the previous scratchy plastic has been jettisoned in favour of a smart leatherette textile.

Attention has been paid to the C5 Aircross's on-board technology, too. Positioned high up on the dashboard, where you don't have to divert your gaze far from the road to see it, is a new infotainment system with a 10.0in touchscreen.