NRMA Car Review - Citroen Xantia SX

The Citroen name in Australia has always been synonymous with a combination of innovative design technology and unusual styling. While the French car manufacturer's range of vehicles enjoys much popularity throughout Europe, Citroen has struggled to consolidate a share of the Australian car market.

Generally, Australians are reluctant to accept unconventional or innovative vehicle designs. As a consequence, Citroens have not rated high on their shopping list depite being very refined and soundly engineered vehilces.

The Citroen Xantia is a five door, five seat, medium sized car that is priced to compete with the lower luxury segment. It is a classy looking vehicle with its own unique identity, standing out among the more commonplace Japanese clones that inundate the Australian market.

The Xantia evaluated for this report was an eight valve engine SX (now known as IMAGE) equipped with an automatic transmission and presently retails for $41,500. The SX was equipped with the following standard equipment features: driver's airbag, central locking, air conditioning, anti-lock brakes, front power windows, six speaker radio cassette and self levelling suspension. In addition to the standard features listed above, the VSX model receives alloy wheels, power mirrors and rear power windows and is priced from $42,990.

Citroen is continually adding to the range with a turbocharged diesel IMAGE and an IMAGE ESTATE having been released in Australia since the evaluation of the Xantia SX was carried out.

The styling of the Xantia is still very much Citroen, although not as unconventional as most earlier models. The Xantia is best described as a smart looking vehicle with sleek lines.

Its design is functional and allows efficient use of space to create a very roomy car for its size. The driver's seat has manula lumbar and height adjustment allowing a good range of driving positions and comfort. Front leg and head room is good. Rear seat passengers are also well catered for with ample space for most adults in the outboard seating positions and better than average space in the centre position.

The Xantia has a good sized boot with a low lip and a wide opening for easy access. Where extra load space is required, Citroen has designed an interesting arrangement which allows both the rear cushion and backrest to fold in one piece to form a flat, wagon-like load area.

Ride quality is one area where the Xantia really excels. The Citroen employs a sophisticated hydraulic suspension system dubbed Hydractive II which allows the driver to choose between two fully automatic operating positions, comfort and sport. Hydractive II is capable of distinguishing between an isolated pot hole and a damaged roadway and automatically adjusting the suspension settings to suit. The result is an excellent ride under all road conditions.

The power to weight ratio of the eight valve Xantia is definitely not a class leader, and in automatic form, acceleration is disappointing. Outside the vehicle, engine noise is quite pronounced, but due to effective use of insulation, the interior noise level remains low.

Driving the Xantia in a spirited fashion can be quite rewarding as it hugs the road while cornering and provides good driver feedback. On unsealed and rough roads, the Xantia remains sure-footed at all times.

The four wheel disc, ABS braking system performs an excellent job of bringing the car to rest and inspires much driver confidence.

Summary

The Xantia offers an alternative to those people tired of owning a more common Japanese vehilce and seeking a car with a little more character. The Citroen's styling is modern, individual and quite attractive.

The hydraulic suspension provides a superb ride and a choice of three different engines and two equipment levels should go a long way to satisfying most potential buyers.

Test vehicle supplied by Citroen Australia.

By NRMA Motoring, September 1996.

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