It started as the Citroën Aircross concept car which was unveiled at the 2015 Shanghai Auto Show.

The C5 Aircross is equipped with optional 12.3-inch TFT digital dashboard screen and an 8-inch capacitive HD touchscreen.

Depending on the version, these different engines can be coupled to a six-speed manual gearbox, or an eight-speed EAT8 automatic transmission.

Introduced in November 2019, the plug-in hybrid system combines a PureTech 180 gasoline engine that develops 180 PS (178 hp; 132 kW) with an 80 kW (109 PS; 107 hp) electric motor, with a fully-electric range of around 50 km (31 mi) under WLTP testing standards.

In the interior, the European version has three individual adjustable and foldable seats, while the Chinese model has a fixed folding 60:40 bench at the back.The European C5 Aircross gets a facelift in January 2022, with a major redesign of the front end, minor redesign of the rear end and new interior features.

The company based in Russia that assembles these CKD kits using the Kaluga plant is named "Automotive Technologies".