1996 Citroen Xantia TD SX review from Netherlands

Replaced one cooling fan motor at 180.000.

Quality of the small chrome strips along the body leaves a lot to be desired.

After driving it for 200.000 kilometers in 3 years I had to sell it because I was getting a company car, otherwise I would have run it for at least another 300.000 if not more.

Road holding is fine, however some understeer becomes present in fast sharp bends. In that respect the BX was better.

This car really is wonderful. I was very, very sad to let it go.

The engine is very quiet (especially compared to the 1.9 diesel and turbo diesel models). You only have to watch the rev-counter carefully because below 2500 revs the turbo does not give assistance and almost nothing happens in terms of acceleration. Above 2500 revs it goes like a rocket.

You also have to watch the speedometer carefully otherwise you will end up with lots and lots of speeding tickets (don't ask me how I know...).

The comfort in general is outstanding. Only on short bumps the suspension gives the impression of being somewhat "surprised".

The outside mirrors are a bit too small for my taste.

Backward visibility is limited. This is especially a problem in Holland when negotiating a right turn and the bike path belonging to the road one is leaving is almost completely in your blind spot.

The car was maintained from new by Hecle of Voorburg, a Citroen specialist and not an official dealership. They are responsible for the fact that, apart from the cooling fan motor, nothing went wrong with my Xantia.

I am truly sad that the beautiful Xantia with lots and lots of character has been replaced by the C5, which just looks like any other car on the road nowadays.