Citroen DS5

Citroen DS5: Which Version Should You Buy?

The Citroen DS5 in this catalogue has one generation, produced from November 2011 through January 2015 as a Hatchback 5-door. Because there is no second generation to compare, the buying decision comes down to six powertrain versions.

The Citroen DS5 in this catalogue has one generation, produced from November 2011 through January 2015 as a Hatchback 5-door. Because there is no second generation to compare, the buying decision comes down to six powertrain versions. The 1.6 MT Gasoline with 200 hp is the quickest and most powerful choice; the 2.0 AT Hybrid records the lowest fuel consumption and the strongest torque; the 1.6 MT Diesel is the most economical non-hybrid; and the two 1.6 AT Gasoline versions suit buyers who specifically want an Automatic transmission. Figures for problems, reliability, prices, oil capacity, dimensions and OBD location are not measured in the supplied data, so they cannot decide this comparison.

Generation and model years

The single 1 generation ran from November 2011 to January 2015. It has a Hatchback 5-door body and six listed versions, all with FWD and a 6-speed transmission. The data applies to vehicles within this production period, including searches commonly phrased as Citroen DS5 2012 specs, Citroen DS5 2013 specs and Citroen DS5 2014 specs. No separate restyling is listed.

Later Citroen DS5 model-year specifications are outside the supplied production data. Changes between generations also cannot be compared because only one generation is present.

Citroen DS5 engine specs compared

Every listed engine has 4 cylinders in an Inline layout and uses Turbo boost. Three versions are Gasoline, two are Diesel, and one is Hybrid with Diesel listed as its fuel. Identical version names must be distinguished by power and fuel: 1.6 MT can mean the 200 hp Gasoline or 115 hp Diesel, while 2.0 AT can mean the 163 hp Diesel or 163 hp Hybrid. The two Gasoline 1.6 AT versions produce 165 hp and 150 hp.

Calculated from the supplied displacement and power figures, the 200 hp 1.6 MT Gasoline develops approximately 125 hp per litre, the highest specific output here. The 165 hp and 150 hp 1.6 AT Gasoline versions produce approximately 103 and 94 hp per litre. Both 163 hp 2.0 AT powertrains are approximately 82 hp per litre, while the 115 hp 1.6 MT Diesel is approximately 74 hp per litre.

The 2.0 AT Hybrid has 110 Nm more torque than the 2.0 AT Diesel despite sharing its 163 hp rating and 1997 cc displacement. Against the 200 hp 1.6 MT Gasoline, the Hybrid gives up 37 hp but adds 175 Nm. Buyers choosing between the Gasoline 1.6 AT versions gain 15 hp with the 165 hp version, while both retain 240 Nm at 1400 rpm.

Performance, fuel consumption and mpg data

For outright performance, the 200 hp 1.6 MT Gasoline leads: its 7.9-second acceleration time is 0.7 seconds quicker than the 2.0 AT Hybrid and 1.6 seconds quicker than the 165 hp 1.6 AT Gasoline. Its 235 km/h top speed is 24 km/h above either 163 hp 2.0 AT version. Fuel consumption for the 200 hp 1.6 MT is not measured, however, so the data cannot quantify the economy sacrificed for that performance.

The 2.0 AT Hybrid combines the best measured acceleration among the Automatic versions with the lowest measured consumption overall. It reaches 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds and records 3.8 L/100 km combined. Compared with the 2.0 AT Diesel, it is 1.8 seconds quicker and uses 2.3 L/100 km less on the combined cycle. Compared with the 115 hp 1.6 MT Diesel, it is 3.8 seconds quicker and uses 0.6 L/100 km less combined.

For a simple Diesel and Manual combination, the 115 hp 1.6 MT returns 4.4 L/100 km combined. Its trade-off is the slowest acceleration and lowest top speed in the range: 12.4 seconds to 100 km/h and 191 km/h.

Between the Gasoline Automatic choices, the 165 hp 1.6 AT is better in every measured performance and consumption comparison. It is 0.3 seconds quicker to 100 km/h, reaches 3 km/h more, and uses 2.2 L/100 km less combined than the 150 hp 1.6 AT. Its city and highway figures are lower by 3.8 and 1.3 L/100 km respectively.

Citroen DS5 weight, clearance, tank and wheel specs

Exterior dimensions, including length and overall size, are not measured for any version. Kerb weight varies from 1420 kg to 1635 kg, while every version has a 60-litre tank.

The 2.0 AT Hybrid is the heaviest version, weighing 215 kg more than the lightest 1420 kg versions. Calculated kerb-weight-to-power ratios help explain the performance spread: the 200 hp 1.6 MT carries 7.1 kg per hp, the 165 hp 1.6 AT about 9.1 kg per hp, the 150 hp 1.6 AT about 9.5 kg per hp, the 2.0 AT Diesel about 9.4 kg per hp, the 2.0 AT Hybrid about 10.0 kg per hp, and the 115 hp 1.6 MT Diesel 13.0 kg per hp.

The Hybrid’s 95 kg weight increase over the 2.0 AT Diesel accompanies an extra 110 Nm, quicker acceleration and lower measured consumption. The 165 hp 1.6 AT weighs 84 kg more than the 150 hp 1.6 AT, but still accelerates faster and consumes less fuel in all three measured cycles.

Citroen DS5 problems and reliability

Problems, engine faults, engine-management warnings and reliability are not measured in the supplied data. Engine oil capacity, engine oil type, engine-mount condition, engine-number location, engine-bay details and OBD location are also not measured. Consequently, the specifications cannot establish whether one version is more reliable or less expensive to repair than another.

For a car being considered for sale, the table can compare powertrain performance, fuel use and weight, but it cannot replace a condition inspection or service-history review. Prices and listings, including vehicles for sale in South Africa, are not measured.

Which Citroen DS5 version should you buy?

Choose the 1.6 MT — 200 hp Gasoline if acceleration and top speed matter most. It is the range leader at 7.9 seconds to 100 km/h and 235 km/h, and its calculated 7.1 kg per hp is the strongest weight-to-power result. Its consumption is not measured, so it is not the evidence-based economy choice.

Choose the 2.0 AT — 163 hp Hybrid for the strongest numerical blend of Automatic performance, torque and measured economy. It offers 450 Nm, accelerates in 8.6 seconds and records 3.8 L/100 km combined. The compromises shown in the data are its range-high 1635 kg kerb weight and 2265 kg gross weight.

Choose the 1.6 MT — 115 hp Diesel if you want low measured consumption without the Hybrid. Its 4.4 L/100 km combined figure is second only to the Hybrid, but its 12.4-second acceleration makes it the slowest option.

Choose the 1.6 AT — 165 hp Gasoline if you want a Gasoline engine with an Automatic transmission. Against the 150 hp 1.6 AT, it provides 15 hp more, reaches 100 km/h 0.3 seconds sooner and consumes 2.2 L/100 km less combined. On the supplied figures, it is the clearer choice between the two Gasoline Automatics unless purchase price, condition or service history—which are not measured—changes the decision.

Choose the 2.0 AT — 163 hp Diesel if a non-hybrid Diesel with an Automatic transmission is the requirement. It supplies 340 Nm and 6.1 L/100 km combined, but the same-power Hybrid is 1.8 seconds quicker to 100 km/h and uses 2.3 L/100 km less combined.

The 1.6 AT — 150 hp Gasoline is difficult to prefer on specifications alone because the 165 hp version is quicker and more economical in every measured cycle. It may still be relevant when comparing actual cars, but price, availability, condition and reliability are not measured here.