The Citroën C5 X is the sort of car that quietly redefines what a modern family hatchback can be. Part hatch, part estate, with just a whisper of SUV stance, it wears its individuality with confidence rather than flash. Under the bonnet sits a smooth 1.6-litre petrol plug-in hybrid paired with Citroën’s slick e-EAT8 automatic gearbox, delivering a healthy 225ps. In everyday driving it feels effortlessly refined, gliding away in near-silence on electric power before the petrol engine joins in seamlessly. It’s brisk when you need it to be, yet relaxed and composed when cruising, especially on longer motorway runs. True to Citroën tradition, comfort is the headline act. The C5 X rides with an impressive suppleness, soaking up broken tarmac with ease, while the seats feel designed for long journeys rather than short test drives. Inside, the Shine trim brings a sense of understated luxury, with quality materials, intuitive technology and a calm, airy ambience that makes time behind the wheel genuinely pleasant. Practicality hasn’t been sacrificed either. The boot is generous, rear passengers are well catered for, and the plug-in hybrid setup offers the flexibility of low-emission urban driving alongside petrol-powered long-distance ability. Distinctive, comfortable and quietly sophisticated, the Citroën C5 X stands out by doing things its own way – and doing them very well.