(updated: 23 September 2023)

The turn of the decade saw a sharp increase in the number of crossovers, each touting more benefits than the last. This has subsequently turned consumers into crossover connoisseurs, who now expect a good 3-in-1 deal: Good looks, Practicality, and Effective cost savings.

You’re effectively spoilt for choice when hunting down something that rides tall on the roads. And I believe I’ve found something that tick the above requisites rather well.

French glow up

The Citroën C5 Aircross ditches its old and bland facade in favour of a new handsome demeanour.

Its new front fascia is dressed to the nines and gives the C5 a more commanding presence on the roads. Plastic trim pieces clad the underbody, woven into the design in a discreet manner. Roof rails and a flushed rear give it taut proportions.

Not much has honestly changed on the outside from its predecessor, but these subtle improvements coagulate into a much more future-focused design.

Fun on the outside, practical on the inside

The Citroën C5 Aircross dials down the French quirkiness, and functionality takes precedence in the cabin.

Instead of the usual 20:40:20 layout where middle passengers get ostracised, the C5 adopts a 30:30:30 layout with 3 individual seats. If you got 3 kids or adults, they’ll be contented in the back knowing that all is fair in the world. Although, the single rear USB port would be something they would have to fight for.

Since it’s 3 separate seats, each can be folded flat independently, creating versatile options for carrying odd-sized cargo. Even with the seats upright, the C5 still boasts 580 litres of boot space, which can be configured to have a flat floor as well.

Up front, the C5 portrays a clean demeanour with a little bit of French flair thrown in for good measure. The digital instrument cluster up front provides ample information for the driver, and everything is laid out with visibility in mind. A virtual Citroën C5 Aircross is also present on-screen, a small easter egg!

Entertainment is commanded by an 8-inch touchscreen nested in the middle of the C5’s unique dual-channel aircon vents. The interface may seem alien at first, but the simple UI is easy to get a hang of. Should you not want to deal with it, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connections are available too.

There are two USB-A ports and a 12V port found up front, although I would have loved to see at least one USB-C port present.

Otherwise, the centre console is tucked neatly with no outwardly protrusions, and this opens up the cabin space for front occupants. You also get a deep centre cubby hole, with space enough for even full-sized tissue boxes.

All seats are upholstered in a blend of synthetic leather and fabric, and the fronts even have slight bolstering which is handy in the corners.

Overall, its sensible nature really makes the cabin a pleasant place to be.

Boisterous enthusiasm

The 1.2-litre 3-cylinder that resides under the hood is the same one found in most French models today, and its hardy nature is a tried and tested formula.

Power figures are modest at 129bhp and 230Nm of torque, but this torque is available at just 1,750rpm, which gives the car a bit of a kick off the line. Plus, the 1.2-litre porker does make a nice grouchy sound when under stress. I like the sound, but I don’t think it’ll resonate well with some folks who wish for a quieter experience instead.

At full chat, the C5 will hit the centurion mark in around 10.3 seconds, and reach a top speed of 188km/h. Because of its heft, the engine would have to work hard just to keep the momentum going, and that hinders fuel consumption to an extent.

During my test, I managed to garner an average of 10.8km/litre, which is good for about 570km of range from the 53-litre tank. A decent showing considering I was more or less between 3-4000 rpm at all times in order to keep pace.

(update: 23 September 2023)
And then somehow, our resident fuel economy tester managed to squirrel his way into the C5’s driver seat and came back with an overall average fuel economy of 6.5-litres/100km or 15.3km/litre across a test-driven 480km, compared to Citroën’s claimed 4.9-litres/100km or 20.4km/litre figure.

Vivek was last seen sobbing silently in a solitary corner of the office for failing to even come close to the claimed fuel economy number.

(/update)

If you don’t take every corner like your life depends on it, the C5 is really comfortable taking bends at leisurely speeds. Citroën’s Advanced Comfort suspension setup works brilliantly here, and bumps and undulations in the roads are mostly cancelled out. 

Great all-rounder

I’ll be honest, I did not have ambitious hopes when I first got into the Citroën C5 Aircross. Having previously reviewed its smaller C4 sibling, which was lacklustre to say the least, I was harbouring thoughts that the C5 would be built with similar veins.

However, I am pleasantly and thoroughly surprised at just how good it is. Sure, it may not have the best fuel economy, but it’s a strong soldier that does everything you want it to with gusto. And it does this, with true blue French flair.

In a world filled with a sea of bland-looking SUVs, the C5 stands out from the pack. 

Technical Specifications

Citroën C5 Aircross

Engine: 1,199cc, 3-cylinder in-line PureTech Turbocharged
Power: 128bhp
Torque: 230Nm
Gearbox: EAT8 8-Speed Automatic
0-100km/h: 10.3 Seconds
Top Speed: 188km/h
Fuel Economy: 20.4km/L (Claimed)
Price: S$152,999 with COE (Accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Citroën Singapore

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Hot on the heels of the new Range Rover, the British firm has released the new Range Rover Sport, which promises better performance and a tighter chassis, whilst still retaining its quintessential pantomime luxury experience. So, have they succeeded?

Well, to find out Range Rover has kindly invited me to test out the new Range Rover Sport on a closed circuit. This means no speed limits, nice.

Once the Range Rover Sport made its way onto the track, you can immediately feel its eagerness to get going, and the thing that catches you off guard the most is just how bitey it is at any RPM. No matter the speed, no matter the RPM, the Sport just gave more and more power, and it never felt out of breath as we careened around the circuit.

Plus, the Range Rover Sport really gave you the confidence to take the corners at speed, thanks to what the British boffins term mixed-metal architecture (MLA-Flex). The new Sport is touted to be up to 35% stiffer than its predecessor, and that made it much more composed through the corners, despite its heft and bulk due to its SUV stature. The car feels more responsive as well, with ample steering feedback that ensures you can feel every bit of sensation from the road.

Of course, this being a Range Rover, you need some relaxation too right?

While hurtling the car into the corner above 100, you can keep the seat heating on and even have a massage as you hear the tyres giving way underneath. The perfect setting to unwind for my scenario, as I was hooning the Sport through an absolute downpour, with torrential rain pelting down on the tarmac around us.

Also on display was the Range Rover Sport’s Integrated Chassis Control system. It’s specially tuned for the car, and ensures that you don’t end up in a tree (or cone in this case) should you take the next set of corners with a rather ambitious speed in mind.

However, this system does end up babysitting you through the turns, as it works its brains to command the car’s heft through. As soon as it detects any form of abnormality in the form of body roll or wheel slip, the system comes barging in, momentarily disabling any power input in order to compose itself better through the corner. In some cases, the car starts grabbing the brakes too, if it senses the rear getting out of line.

I will digress, this scenario will only happen if you are someone who chucks a 2.3-tonne car into a corner without any regard for personal safety. “Eh, what could go wrong?”

Though I did not get an opportunity to take the Range Rover Sport offroad, I’m fairly certain that it has the capabilities to shine on any terrain. The company has a renowned history of solid offroaders, and money’s on this being part of that group too. It even sports offroad adaptive cruise control, the first of which I heard in any car.

Overall, if you want something that is dressed to the nines in luxury, while still being able to keep pace with virtually anything else on the road, look no further.

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Dubbed ‘Heart on Wheels’, this is Food from the Heart’s 20th-anniversary food donation drive, which will see food being donated to less-privileged individuals and families. These are demographics with an average per capita income of below $690 per month.

In 2019, Food from the Heart helped 44,600 beneficiaries. This assistance has since ballooned to more than 60,00 beneficiaries with food support throughout Singapore, an impressive 34% increase since pre-COVID. 

Here is the list of food items requested for Heart on Wheels 2023: 

• Rice (2 & 5kg bags)
• Cooking oil (1-litre bottles)
• Instant noodles
• Canned food (Items such as sardines, tuna, curry chicken, soups)
• Coffee, tea and Milo sachets
• Oat, cereal, biscuit and bread spreads

*Do note that items should be at least three months away from their expiry dates

Join The Community

If you would like to make a difference, here are three ways you can help:

1. Drive-Thru to Donate

Head on down to Wearnes, located at 45 Leng Kee Rd Singapore 159103, on Saturday and Sunday, 4th and 5th March 2023 with your food donations. Drivers can enjoy a complimentary tyre shine throughout the event.

Plus, the first 100 cars each day will receive a complimentary treat sponsored by McDonald’s Singapore!

2. Order Food From Your Preferred Online Grocer to Donate

Alternatively, you may also order food items on our wish list from your preferred online grocer and arrange delivery directly to the event venue on 4th and 5th March 2023, 9am – 6pm.

Volunteers and team members will be on hand to receive, sort and record the food items donated.

3. Cash Donations Are Welcomed Too

Cash donations are accepted too for this donation drive, and this Giving.sg campaign will be matched dollar-to-dollar by Tote Board.

Do not worry, this will be a safe and seamless way to help needy families with food support. Plus, cash donations to an IPC charity approved by the Commissioner of Charities, such as Food from the Heart, are eligible for a 250% tax deduction.

For more information and for the full requested food list, you can check out Food from the Heart’s website here.

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Based on the CX-30, the Mazda MX-30 is the Hiroshima-based automaker’s first foray into the EV battleground, and it’s a smorgasbord of Mazda quirks and ingenuity. I really like it.

Sleek compactness

Right off the bat, the Mazda MX-30 dresses up to impress with its sleek roofline, two-tone colour scheme and macho stature. Even though it’s a crossover, Mazda designers have done away with a traditional boxy shape, and instead sculpted the car out of curvy lines and contours. 

With a clever rear seat design, the tapered roofline does not inhibit headspace in the cabin as well, whilst also providing ample amounts of boot space. 

The MX-30 also brought back a design trait we so dearly missed in the older RX-8, which are freestyle doors. Okay maybe not everyone likes them, but I’m someone who drives around often with no one else in tow, so the lack of rear doors doesn’t detract from the overall experience. However, this can prove to be a challenge for families with kids in tow.

A lush shade of red is decked out for the car too, Soul Red Crystal Metallic, and it complements the MX-30 really well.

The MX-30 feels reminiscent of Mazda’s petrol driven CX-30, albeit with different rear doors and a tighter but sleeker design overall. Refinements, that even your strict mother-in-law will approve of.

Quirks and features

A simple but fairly spacious interior greets you upon entry into the Mazda MX-30. Even though it can feel dated at times, everything in the interior is easy to comprehend, making it easy for new drivers to get in and go. I’m not a fan of overly-complicated cabins, so this is a welcome sight.

Mazda incorporated a blend of eco-centric materials dotted around the cabin, to fit in with the vehicle’s sustainability theme. These materials are alright, but I’m not sure if the synthetic fabric material can hold up against adverse weather and moisture, seeing as it’s found on the doors.

The biggest area of the MX-30 you’ll find dated is its instrument cluster and infotainment console. While other companies are revolutionising with new digital displays and impressive graphics, the MX-30 has to make do with analogue dials and a centre TFT display harking back to the 2010s. 

The infotainment screen is also pretty old and looks like something taken out of older Mazda models which were new in 2010. Plus, the lack of touchscreen functionality makes it slightly more frustrating to navigate through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, both of which are wired connections. It’s not an easy task to get everything plugged in too, with USB-A ports tucked underneath the gear selector assembly.

If you can mind the dated aspects, the cabin does have some redeeming features too. The gear selector is robust and has a premium feel, as do the HVAC controls which are housed in a separate display, enabling easy access.

The rear seats are fitted with ISOfix points, so it is child-ready. Plus, you do not need to pull the front seats forward each time someone in the back wishes to get out.

Not the latest or greatest interior, but for the discerning individual that has everything set up and ready to rock, the MX-30 is a fuss-free affair.

Composed camaraderie 

Even with its crossover stature, the car is pretty poignant round corners, and it keeps its composure fairly well. However, due to the front-wheel drive layout, there are times when I just couldn’t put the power down when exiting a corner.

Even though this is a true-blue EV, it delivers power in a linear and leisurely amount, unlike other EVs where one enthusiastic press of the pedal will give you whiplash that’ll hurt for the next week. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t slow by today’s standards, just not the usual brattiness and urgency that comes with an EV.

This might sound like a bad thing, but it can be an ideal platform for first-time EV owners to ease into the EV space, and not be intimidated by EVs with extreme acceleration. 107kW (143bhp) and 271Nm of torque is plenty manageable for most applications, especially since it’s delivered instantly.

Battery consumption is pretty good too, and I managed to garner approximately 16.8kWh/100km with some gentle driving. What isn’t so amazing though, is the size of the battery. A tiny 35.5 kW battery resides in the MX-30, and during my media drive,

I did wish it was bigger for just that little more range. Most of the MX-30’s competitors are touting 50kW batteries, and are able to trump it in terms of outright range.

Playful power bank

Minus the slightly minuscule battery capacity, I actually love the Mazda MX-30. It’s quirky in the right places and has sensibleness in just the right amounts. Sure, its design might feel slightly dated, but all in all, it’s a vehicle that can tout ease of use as one of its strong points. 

Mazda (and by extension older cars) owners will feel right at home in the interior, due to its simple layout. Everything is where you want it to be, and everything works as intended. If you can close your eyes and by touch alone, know where everything is located roughly, then the designers did a good job. 

The MX-30 to me feels like a pet. Sure, it misbehaves occasionally, wrecks your furniture, and isn’t the most sensible when compared to your friends’ pets. But, there’s a special feeling that makes you love your pet, and that feeling overlooks every distinguishable flaw that it has. Owning a pet like this is an experience and an experience that you will never forget.

See what I mean?

Technical Specifications

Mazda MX-30
Battery Capacity: 35.5kW
Drive: Front wheels
Power: 143hp
Torque: 271Nm
Energy Economy: 6.3km/kWh or 15.87kWh/100km (claimed)
Price: S$184,888 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Mazda Singapore

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The first-ever International MotorXpo Hong Kong (IMXHK) which happened in 2021 was an overwhelming success, attracting over 160,000 visitors, 160 different exhibitors, and amassed 60 brands and more than 150 vehicles.

Continuing its success, IMXHK 2022 was an even bigger endeavour, promoting automotive culture, education, and electronic sports car racing. Held from 8 – 11 December,  exhibition-goers were treated to a weekend of automotive fanfare held at AsiaWorld Expo and AXA Wonderland in the West Kowloon Cultural District.

IMXHK campaigned its “Mobility +” theme this year, showcasing the latest automotive technology, art, and collector cars, in addition to a number of automotive-related performances and competitions.

These include an electric car-themed exhibition, a car culture festival area featuring a whole host of rare JDM gems and collector cars, and an exclusive VIP Avenue showcasing stunning car art, design, supercars and other mobility technologies.

Some special events were also hosted during the festivities, including the Dream Car 2050 Children Art Gallery which raised funds for charity, a fun-filled CARnival with car-themed gaming, animation and model car displays, plus the first MISS IMX Contest.

In addition to the expansive indoor exhibition space, this instalment of IMXHK throws in another bonus, which is the introduction of an outdoor bazaar and vehicle show this year. This action-packed, tyre-smoking show features classic JDM drifting and motorbike stunt performances.

Essentially, it’s a stage for local motorsport athletes to flaunt their talented skills.

No matter what is your poison: be it retro JDM classics, new billionaire club exotics, racing legends or even sensible EVs, there’s something for everyone, cumulating in this Smörgåsbord of automotive passion.

I was most likely the only foreign media correspondent there in attendance, but overall I had a blast, and it was a festival weekend packed to the brim with activities.

Furthermore, it enables local automotive enthusiasts to come together and share their passion for roaring engines and loud exhausts (or silence if you fall under the EV band camp). If you get the chance to attend IMXHK in the future, I highly suggest you do. 

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