Citroen C-Crosser 2007-2012 engines & performance

The C-Crosser is equipped only with the 2.2-litre HDi engine found in various other Citroen and PSA models. It pulls strongly, revs smoothly, and still returns 40mpg. By and large, the C-Crosser serves up an impressive amount of performance, considering its size, weight and dynamic aspirations, and it does so in a satisfyingly refined manner.

A wide band of torque gives the C-Crosser good low-end acceleration and mid-range overtaking ability, provided you’re willing to work the six-speed manual gearbox. (A six-speed automatic is available as a £1225 option.)

In dry conditions the C-Crosser is just as secure and quick in 2wd as it is in 4wd

Steve Sutcliffe

Editor-at-large

The most impressive aspect of this torque delivery is in the low to mid-ranges, right at the point where you want a slug of acceleration. Even at 1500rpm, there’s a surprisingly muscular stream of performance available, and it stays strong until just the other side of 4000rpm. Compared with, say, the Vauxhall Antara, the C-Crosser is quieter, more refined, and perkier to drive.

Even against the stopwatch, it does a reasonably good job, just ducking under the 10sec barrier for the 0-60mph sprint and taking only a shade over 30sec to reach three figures. You never feel the need to thrash it merely to keep up with other traffic.

The minority of C-Crosser owners who fancy taking their cars off road will be disappointed to find that peak pulling power isn’t served at lower revs to help out with mud-crawling. Although the C-Crosser has lockable four-wheel drive, there’s little doubt that it wouldn’t perform as well over fields as an identically engined Land Rover Freelander.