Unmistakably Citroen...

If the previous C5 was something of a missed opportunity, Citroen is taking no chances this time around with its latest family-sized offering.

Not only does the new C5 look elegant and well-proportioned, the French firm reckons it has made such large advances in quality that this car will be able to meet the challenge of premium brands from Germany head-on.

Citroen doesn't say which brands, of course, and, in truth, it is probably targeting Volkswagen rather than Audi, BMW or Mercedes-Benz.

But make no mistake, the new C5 looks to have sufficient quality to rank as a genuine contender, especially when the undistinguished nature of its predecessor is taken into account.

Old C5s were undeniably spacious and rode beautifully - but were also ugly, not particularly exhilarating to drive and suffered from poor residuals. It came as no surprise to find these barges being discounted massively on forecourts long before their time was up.

The same fate should not befall the new car, which starts at £15,595 on the road for a 1.8 litre petrol and peaks at £24,395 for a 2.7 HDi V6 208 Exclusive. The flagship model may seem pricey but it comes with the same engine as the Jaguar XF and lots of features - for ten grand less.

More pertinently perhaps, industry experts are predicting that the new C5 will hold its value as well as a Passat, which really would be something if it turned out to be true.

It takes little more than a cursory glance at the C5 to realise that Citro'n has upped the ante in design terms. The car borrows something of its style from its big sister the C6, but has a sharper shoulder line to give it that teutonic look.

It is handsome from most angles - and the same can mostly be said about the interior. The seats are large and comfortable; there are plenty of quality materials and fabrics and lots of Germanic chrome accents.

The dashboard, with its 'floating' dials and fixed-hub steering wheel, is similarly classy - though not so wacky as to deter the more conservative buyer.

There's not quite as much room in the back as the new Mondeo, but not everyone needs the cavernous amounts of space offered in the new Ford. The Citro'n's boot is large and should be able to accommodate most loads.

The engine range is the same as that of the old C5, which means diesel is the way to go and the choice of four oil burning power plants should cater for most needs.

None offers especially rapid performance - but that's not what the C5 is about. It is set up for comfort and refinement - and it's especially strong in these areas.

There are two suspension units on offer: a more conventional steel-sprung system aimed at the fleet market and the Hydractive 3+ system which delivers a more authentic Citro'n 'magic carpet' ride.

The steel-sprung system is comfortable on smooth surfaces but gets caught out by pot-holes and bumpy surfaces. The Hydractive units give a more floaty, wafty ride which can be slightly nauseous unless the Sport setting is activated. This sharpens up the sensors so they react earlier - the effect is to make the car feel tauter on the road.

Refinement is good, with only some engine noise making its presence felt. The steering is accurate enough but could be more communicative. Only the lightest of touches is needed on the brakes.

The car is expected to return a five-star safety rating with every model including seven airbags, ESP with traction control, and adaptive lights. The C5 also scores heavily on comfort features, even offering ones you don't really need.

Unless you've got a bad back you probably won't be needing a back massager, while the novelty of the lane departure warning system soon wears off.

At the launch I drove the two litre diesel, which develops 138hp. It is a fairly leisurely performer and I suspect the 1.6HDi might be very nearly as good it's more economical, yet not much slower.

Those seeking driving dynamics might prefer to look elsewhere, with the Mondeo being a good place to start - but the new C5 is going to interest those seeking a comfortable, stylish car capable of covering large distances with a minimum of fuss.

It is arguably the best-looking car in its class, which will do it no harm, though for me its cabin lacks the sense of drama served up by the C6.

By Peter Carroll