The Citroen C6 is a Fascinating French Luxury Car // Drive and review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- The Citroën C6 is a rare and fascinating car, the last of the 'proper Citroens' and the official car for multiple French Presidents. What's it like now as a used buy?
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Car on review: 2010 Citroen C6 2.2 Diesel Exclusive Auto
#citroen #citroenc6
I made my dream come true. I purchased a V6 petrol C6 from Spain, with 96k km(Currently 101,000) and absolutely every option available for this model. The car is marvelous magic on wheels ❤ Worth it every penny.
Congrats on making your dream come true! :)
How’s reliability and running costs?
@ So far so good. I have avoided driving the car during the winter times, and during the 6 months of driving, I had no issues. Biggest issue is of course the fuel consumption, but I have not expected the car to be very economical anyways. The V6 petrol is just a dream come true, and probably one of the best NA v6 engines from EU.
@ Thank you! 😇
What a car😮 This is not a video, this is a TRIBUTE !🎉
A rare sight here in Sweden, have always loved Citroens personality and technical oddities
My dad owned a DS and a CX which I grew up taking annual road trips to Italy in. By the time I was 21 I was in the drivers seat, taking a road trip to Italy in my very own XM 3.0 V6. I've wanted a C6 for a very long time. Cruising in a big Citroen is just such a relaxing, delightful, and unique experience. Great video, thanks JJ
How was the XM? I don't see these cars anymore.
Yes, it's an entirely unique experience :) I bet the XM was fantastic, I want to review one now
Getting a good mechanic who knows the intricacies of these cars is rare and essential if you plan to own one
Bought one for my 28th birthday! Ran it for a year! It ruined my life financially but I absolutely loved it. Don’t think I’ll ever own a car as impressive as it.
We had a 57 plate one at 3 years old. The most unreliable car we ever owned. It had to go.
I loved it when Citroen was daring and bonkers. Running a company on that philosophy is not savvy but boy was it exciting whenever Citroen made a new car. You never knew what to expect. The HUD on the C6 is proper without that extra small reflective pop up piece. The first time I saw the speedometer on the CX,I was shocked. It looked like no other, that was so special.
Me too. RIP
For the longest time, I had very little interest in reviews of older cars. However, as the car world continues to be flooded with iphones with wheels, reviews featuring older rides like this, especially when presented so engagingly, are becoming far more interesting. Thank you YT for putting this in my feed. Subscribed, thank you and hats off! Keep em coming. =)
I miss the bonkersness of French cars.
A few C6s made it to Australia. Only one for sale atm 2011 for £20k with 120K miles. 😯
It is typically immaculate tho. Sapphire Blue with white interior.
They used to be special.
I've always admired these beautiful cars. I'm a taxi driver and would have loved to drive one, but I was never brave enough and now they're too old. To me they still look quite futuristic. Thanks for showing us this one.
Oops! Thanks for the corrections 👍
The absolute madness of this is so appealing, the “build it and they will come” attitude of Citroen at the time is just brilliant, probably there were no focus groups involved or in-depth market research, they just built it and hoped people would buy it!
If you need something to waft a president about, or use at embassies then it did it's job and maintenance and repair costs would be no problem but as a private buy not sure it makes sense. Very good review though - and you are right the V6 petrol is great, only 14-16 mpg urban but up to 40 on a long fast haul.
It was definitely someone’s passion project.
No, there was a lot of reflection, in fact so much that the car came out rather too late. But the real reason for its meagre success was that very few people nowadays would personally buy these cars, already in 2006. It would either be leased, or it would be a company car. In both cases, residual value plays an enormous role, as would such things as the telecommunications equipment etc.
The residual values of Citroëns, as well as any mildly exotic luxury car, are lower than of the common models of the holy trinity of German executive limousines, simply because a car that is individualistic will appeal to fewer people.
If you compared price tags, the C6 was competing with Audi’s A6 and Mercedes’ E-class. That is already a bit of a capitulation: the French president rides in cars that would not be top of the line in Germany.
But it gets worse: comparing leasing rates, it would have competed with the Audi A8, because of the higher depreciation. So you got upper middle class prestige and performance for luxury prices.
The car was a success with the very wealthy fans of the brand, mostly elderly people who didn’t have access to company cars, but would have been driving big Citroëns since at least the CX. But the numbers of those were too small.
Hi JJ. I remember the first time I saw one of these and I just stood and gawped as it whispered past. I knew what it was, of course, but to actually see one on the road...well, my heart was won and I have to say that to this day, my ardour hasn't diminished.
Never driven one, never even ridden in one but OMG, that styling.
Cheers.
I bet! I just don't really have any memories of seeing one, ever. But perhaps when they first were around I didn't really get what they were so didn't notice (dismissed as French tat 😆) but I'm sure I would have clocked it. You just don't see them!
@JJonCars French tat 😂😂😂
Absolutely glorious. Elegantly sleek without the aggressive edges, creases and lines of modern offerings.
Citroen one of biggest engineering innovators brought to bear by the accountants
Loved the C6, thank you all for highlighting this lovely car. Once again guys your choice in getting this classic car on show is brilliant and yes it did make me cry.
Wow) I've always admired these beautiful cars)))))
Never thought I'd see one of these pop up on TH-cam, my in-laws own one, a 2008 HDI exclusive, only done 66k, maintained by a specialist. Fantastic car, we used it last year for a holiday in the south of France, felt so luxurious and averaged 50 mpg on the trip.
What displacement?
@dandezor4636 2.7 HDI
@@dandezor4636 All the 2008 HDIs in the UK are 2.7L.
That's great economy. This 2.2 is not quite so good I don't think!
I’m with you here JJ, the C6 is a stunning design with a unique purpose in the executive market… comfort 👌
Great to see that you finally got into a C6 (or C5 III)! :) The ride quality is quite something and it is very sad that this extremely sophisticated suspension is no longer in production. In terms of reliability, I'd rate it better than the Mercedes ABC system. The hydraulic system isn't that complicated, all things considered. It is a shame that spare part availability is going to be a growing problem, but there should be a lot of life in those on the street anyhow. I hope James let you drive the DS as well. Now that's a flying carpet! Back-seat JJ might need a sick bag due to the car's unrestrained wavering but for the driver it is absolutely magical.
I'm yet to try Merc air ride, but if I had to guess I'd agree it's let's reliable from all the stuff I've seen about it going wrong (and let's not even mention Range Rover lol). Was not particularly impressed with the comfort of Audi's version.
I think he's up for a DS video when it comes out for summer!
@@JJonCars It would be fantastic to see you covering the DS (a absolute automobile legend). N.B., I had a typo in my original message: Meant to write "sick bag".
Lucky enough to have one... very special indeed.❤
I absolutly love the Citroën C6 as it’s that style of car that in my opinion is unique and stylish to say the least … I drove the 2.7 version for 8 years and I absolutely loved it … I now drive a Citroën C5X which is also lovely.
Love the C6 and suspension not a weak spot at all
It actually isn't... 😊
Probably the worst move Citroen ever made was getting rid of the hydropneumatic suspension - the finest suspension system in the world. Great video!
I mean I like the old Citroens, but this especialy the interior gives me Korean plastic feel but only higher in quality,.
If only the dash, dial design was better.
But I still like it overalll.
Having been brought up with various DS models (starting with a '56) in my dad's stable, I obviously love Citroen. I now live in Vancouver Canada where we don't have them. If they did I would love to have one. I absolutely love the styling. And yes if the ride is anything similar to the DS it's a super winner.
Owned one and loved it for two years. Engine snapped the crank at 110K. Apparently quite a common think with the 2.7HDI engines made by FORD!.
Interesting that the weak spot wasn't even Citroen related. Shame about the car
It seems like the engines to have are the 3.0 petrol or the 3.0 twin turbo diesel, which can only be found in the later models
Very nicely done! Ok, as a C6 owner I'm biased, but it's good to have an independant 'rational' view. BTW, only 319 are left on UK roads (all engines). So, so, rare. And magnificent.
Had a 57 plate 2.7 Lignage at 3 years old. Wonderful car when working properly which was not very often. Sold it as we got sick of it being in the dealer every 2 months or so.
Stunning cars, always wanted one.
I have one of those, a 2.7 Diesel, and I like it a lot. But you need a mechanic close-by who is interested in the car and therefore does a good job on it when things go wrong. It's reliable, I think, but like with all old cars, things do break. Get one! :)
Excellent vid! Had an XM but unfortunately it was rotten beyond feasible in it's hydraulics. But as long as it ran it was a blissful experience. And I'd gladly add a C6 to my nonexisting fleet of Dream cars... 😂
Thanks! The nonexistent fleet is the most reliable and cheapest to run :)
Had a BX back in the day . Bonkers interior and amazing ride . Proper citroen.
Yeah they're great. I got a lift to the festival of the unexceptional in one 2 years ago, and it was a really interesting car. And the ride was superb of course.
Stunning car but exorbitant road tax is killing it . I’ve driven one it was beautiful.
One of my favourite cars of the 00's. I doubt I'd ever be brave enough to buy one, though...
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😆😅😅😅I feel yah..
Fabulous machine..
Great review..
The closest I got in Europe then shipped to Australia was my new 1978 CX Prestige. Magic machine.
I lust after a C6...
A number of club members have C6s and have been mostly reliable. The 3.0 litre is really sort after...
Drove one of these fabulous also the CX Gti again lovely. Would love them to go back to their quirky designs.
always wanted one of them but never got there,love how it looks
The best Citroen since the SM, a future classic.
That's a stunning car.
Pedantic C6 owner here. The 4 cylinder has the Hydroactive 3 while the V6s had Hydroactive 3+. Also the 4 doesn't have bonnet that pops up on impact, there was enough space under the bonnet it wasn't needed. Also it had the fixed rear spoiler while the others had speed sensitive. Shame you also missed button in the centre armrest in the back that moves the front passenger seat forwards/backwards. Great review though :)
The £675 road tax is a bit of a downer for many people, who, like me, would love to have one.
class video as always JJ, cheers
Cheers! :)
beautiful cool car😍. The French president Sarkozy drove with Vel Satis, Macron sometimes also drives with Vel Satis today. Vel Satis is a more expensive machine with engineering solutions and a very high quality interior and engine 3.5 gasoline.
I'm soooo thinking of swapping my 2021 C4 for one of these - an awesome car and, for me, it's the ultimate cruiser.
Nice! It may cost a little (or a lot) more to run than the C4, but it truly is the ultimate cruiser.
I had a C5 with hydractive 3+ suspension and V6 petrol- amazingly floaty beast, I truly loved it. I can imagine that C6 is even better 😁 Greetings from Poland! (Are you still learning the language?)
Oh lovely, I would really like to try a C5 with that suspension now.
I have not learned much more in a long time, but most of the words I did learn are still there in my head. I will start learning again one day :)
A great video, nice to see a C6 featured. Pretty sure that car will have heated seats in the front, the switches are hard to find though! It also doesn't have the rear longe pack, as that would be electrically reclining rear seats and the heated seat buttons are in a different position.
I'm onto my second C6, a 2.7 Exclusive in red. Love them!
I did wonder! The buttons might be hiding somewhere.
I saw one in white the day this video released. First time I've ever seen on in person.
What are the chances!
The last Saab 95, the aluminium Jag XJ (x350 series not the x351) and this Citroen C6 are three of my very favourite cars. It's a hard choice to pick between them, but I think I'll go for the C6 but they are all very close in desirability in my view. There are two C6 in my local area, but I have only seen 4 to my knowledge in my lifetime. A very rare and stunningly designed car. I need to check to see if you did a report on the last Saab 95?
If I didn't live in the ULEZ or a CAZ zone I'd have a C6. The petrols always have silly asking prices. For me that leaves the X350; readily available with the V6 petrol for cheap. Very different character though.
Oh man yeah, the X350, I really want to review one of those!
as for the Saab 9-5, here you go :)
th-cam.com/video/D9a_jlFdpKQ/w-d-xo.htmlsi=SRmdJMclUXlermXg
Those door pockets are genius tbh
I think it's awesome.
I have already watched TH-cam videos on a 3 Country drive in one which I found very interesting.
Absolutely gorgeous elegant with an incredible present
The closest you can get to the C6 right now is a Lexus ES.
It will be firmer than the C6 but at least softer than all the competition. The sound insulation is very good, too.
The hybrid drive train is very smooth, especially in the city. Only downside: You have to drive it softly, the 2.5 liter inline 4 can get a little bit grumpy (but you get phenomenal fuel economy).
It is also one of the last cars with normal buttons and a reasonable amount of wood and chrome.
Nice cars, I wouldn't mind one. Or maybe the older GS is more my budget lol
Between DS (love it), SM, CX, XM (meh) and this C6, this is IMO the most beautiful. The DS 23 IE Pallas had an incredible ride, and the DS from 1955 and later is the most innovative design at all levels of the 20th century, but even the Pallas still has a bit of utilitarian to it.
The C6 is a timeless design, more so. It has a whiff of art deco to it, but not in the gruesome American way. Total class act.
As to the hydraupneumatic suspension, no it's not really complicated.
The balls you reference on the struts to the wheels, are split into two internally. A 'bladder" makes the division and one side has a pressurised filling with nitrogen gas. That end of the sphere is passive (not managed).
The hydraulic lines connect e.g. front to rear. If the car has its front wheels pushed up this pushes the rear wheels down and the car stays level. This was not new in 1955 as it already had been done mechanically in the 2CV.
The height adjustment is dependent on the pressure in the hydraulics.
Also, the power steering takes power from this system.
And the power brakes too. These have active power support from the pressure, while regular cars take under pressure from an engine's air inlet and the positive pressure just helps more.
Once you "understand" the hydraulics - there's nothing to understand about the gas (nitrogen) springs in the spheres - the maintenance becomes very simple. If you worked on power brakes in a lorry, the C6 is easy peasy. Same applies to the diesel.
I'm not sure where the complexity is that everybody parrots someone else into the interwebs. My SAAB of around 2000 IIRC had 13 "computers" in a network each controlling different controllables. That 13 sounds like a complication but it is easy. You have many simple compute things controlling the controllables and a simple compute thing to tell the other compute things what to do.
I'd love one. I think that it would go well with my SM, (Merak 'SS' engine,) CX & XM. The XM, a rare series one, is, sadly, not on the road. However, both the CX & SM are, (given suitable weather!)
A CX was actually the first car to make me stop and stare, back in 1976, and the SM was my dream car for 40yrs. Both the CX & SM are great to drive, as was the XM. I drove the SM back from Sweden in April and, after 2 days SMing, I got back into my CLK 320 which, despite being 30yrs younger, and it's undoubtedly much smoother engine, felt, well, kinda not as good, especially in the steering dept. Once you get used to the very direct and strongly self centring SM set up, it is very good.
I've never been in a C6, but have always liked them. It their complexity that scares me off.
Keep up the good work,
LG.
Always fancied an SM. If you're not scared by the SM or XM, I can see no reason to be scared of the C6.
@@nigel.w I didn't say that I wasn't scared of the SM! Despite everything having been done to it that you would like to have seen done, there is always that worry that if something was to go wrong, especially with the engine, then it will be major expense to sort.
Now, I went into it with my eyes open, homework done. I've budgeted for a disaster. However, another thing with hydraulic Citroens is simply finding people to work on them. My XM needs re-commissioning after an overly long lay up and I can't find anyone to take it on.
And, as complicated as the SM is, it doesn't have all the electronics that the C6 has, and that is what puts me off one of those. In my mind, some minor electrical glitch might be simply uneconomical to repair. A bit like, for example, the notorious 'stepper' motors on CLKs. Hundreds of pounds to have the dash removed to fix. So, you don't bother and put up with it.
That's a big reason why I don't like modern cars. Mid 2000s is about as late as I want to go really. Do you have a Citroen?
And, one final thing. It annoys me that Citroen are not interested in old Citroens. Probably, I suppose, because they aren't really 'Citroen' any more.
Love the second rear screen on the XM to stop it being too hatchback
Oh what a collection, you just have to get a C6 now to complete it! (easy for me to say)
Cheers :)
From Northern Ireland that Citroen 🇬🇧 ☘️
I always thought this was a "If Picasso designed cars"
That seems like a bit of an oxymoron _he may very well have_ .
Now a Citroen Dali may have been a thing to avoid.
Yeah 100% :D
Great looking car. I would get one.
Loved that suspension…
One of the only Citroens I actually really liked.
It’s a beautiful car. So luxurious, regal and majestic. Last of its kind. It’s a shame all the lovely wood and leather were paired with switches and buttons from the Citroen C4 and C3 though.
If the C6 went back on sale now I'm convinced Citroen would sell a lot more than the first time round. It's a wonderful piece of kit.
Great review 💯
Thanks :)
Micron...Citroen always reminds me of Burt Reynolds in The longest Yard (1974) and the way he thrashes that car in the beginning of the film.
Yes an SM, wasn't a remake made using a Bentley GT?
Not seen it 😅
That car has got real character 😅
I think I have only ever seen 2 of these on the road.
Very limited market, the vast majority of buyers want a powerful, sporty, noisy, big cruiser. Not many people want a quirky, wafty, soft, French car which was always going to depreciate rapidly and people struggle to get parts for.
If you really want one, then it's unique. Not many people really want one though.
still waiting for citroen to randomly come up with a new weird, beautiful, quirky executive class saloon after all those years.
I love these quirky Citroens, unfortunately a rare sight on our roads today. I'm hoping that mention of the DS at 11:52 is a hint that the DS will be reviewed soon on your channel. 🙏
This may well be a possibility in the summer :)
Love the C6, but the ownership prospect of one scares me. 😂
The petrol V6 is the one to have but rare.
...rare...and usually very expensive to buy.
Is the top spec c5 better ?
Will you make a review for the OG Saab 9-3? That would be a cool way to wrap up your Saab video series
As soon as I get offered one :)(
I have never seen a C6 in the UK. Other than the one mentioned below, were there ever any imported? I can understand that service/repair would be tricky to say the least. A shame that we are now reduced to battery powered tanks.
There were 1000 of them sold in the UK!
the only spiritual successor too the goddesses; Traction Advant, DS, CX, and the XM
S-Line / AMG inspiration graphic 😅🤣😂
😆
Epic.....I laughed out so loud my neighbors must have heard me.
Still hyper-cool and stylish !
Same engine as s type diesal but nicer than a jag. Theres one floating around where i live
The C5x , altough basically a Chinese Citroen, comes still very close to the ride quality of the old ones.
Nobody:
Jim, in The Office: 6:03
😂
Bought one a year old in 2008 for £20k (ex dem). Lovely wafter.
Appreciate the detailed breakdown! Just a quick off-topic question: I have a SafePal wallet with USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (air carpet target dish off jeans toilet sweet piano spoil fruit essay). What's the best way to send them to Binance?
You need to post more often
I know 😄 I keep telling myself I'll step it up when winter is over haha
Can you do a video on the Saab Sonett?
If I get offered one :)
Lovely car wish it was mine already had two Citroen XM which was fantastic
But unfortunately not ULEZ compatible will cost a fortune to drive in London
I like big citreons my dad had two CITREON GS if you could get one that would be good..
I remember when this car was launched. I've always liked its looks, especially the rear window, and overall just an elegant car. However, the car is let down by the interior. While the wood panels are cool, it's a shame that Citroën went for this design of the instrument panel, especially since the interior of the Lineage looked so good.
The rip off road tax for the V6 is what makes most C6s worthless.
There is no such thing as ‘road tax’. It’s VED - and based on emissions. There should be a road tax - so those who drive more pay more.
First car in the UK with DRL's!
Interesting!
I really don‘t like French Cars! But love the C6, still such a cool Car.
Cool and interesting. I've driven a 2.7 diesel. Would love the petrol, but rare and usually expensive. I suspect if you're a keen driver, the 2.2 diesel is probably the way to go. They're lighter in the nose, typically three years newer than the 2.7 variants fs in the UK, and although almost as rare as the petrol, nowhere near as expensive. However, none of the diesels is ULEZ/CAZ compliant, and as said, the petrol is rare and usually expensive. So, as I currently live in London, one of these is out of the question for me. Otherwise, right up my alley for a daily driver. Then again, I am nearly 61yo.
I find these strangely cool.
Good choice
You know what other car has "frameless doors"? Chrysler Neon. Isn't it time you reviewed one?
They barely sold any of those here, I'd have a hard time finding one I think
Since is the 2.2HDi, it came with downgraded suspension. All the other engines have thing called AMVAR what monitors the road and absorbs the bumps on the road even better. AMVAR struts are ridiculously more expensive tho.
Question from someone who’s had no experience with Citroen. I get that they are luxurious, but how are they on quality?
Depends on what you mean. The interior quality is OK, looks luxurious and it shouldn't have any noises from it. Screen in the middle tends to have breakdowns and also the speedo does as well. Good thing is they can fixed. Suspension is similiar to C5 x7 (2008-2017) so it shouldn't be an issue to maintain. Engines are the harder part. Pick a petrol one (more expensive) and you shouldn't have many issues.
@ Thanks. Where I live, there are no French imports. We have the German trio - VW, BMW, Mercedes - which are luxurious and ride great, but are constantly in the repair shop. I was wondering if Citroen was similar or if it was indestructible like Lexus.
@@toddbonin6926 Definetely fragile. On par level with german cars. Most german cars from that era are very fragile, the C6 is decent, only has problems with electronics (Which germans also have).
@ Thank you for taking the time to explain this to me. I really appreciate it. Just trying to learn more about these very interesting cars.
@@toddbonin6926 I'd like to add that Citroen C6 literally does not rust, a lot of aluminum was used and the rust proofing on the car overall is way better than Germans from the same era
Citroen and SAAB are the 2 automakers, that most never gave thought to, but their heritage and individuality are still hallmarks of the automotive industry. For me it’s sad to think we will never see anything like these inherent masterpieces ever produced again, just boring German vehicles that too… have lost their own “je ne sais quoi”!
Saw one new in a Citroen showroom back in c.2008 and the price they had on it was eye-watering. Just far too high. It sat there. And it sat there. And it sat there...
Yeah, they were expensive!
I'm curious to know what mgp you were getting after a bit of a run..
I've looked at the 2.7 before and it seemed to be simultaneously about the best and worst car I've ever seen.. kinda wish they'd been made slightly better inside.. and some stuff such as the tyre size is ridiculous.
Can also add, the 2.7 wasn't actually very quick for a modern turbo diesel.. and I believe the mpg isn't great.
I'd love a petrol but too pricey. If I didn't live in the ULEZ zone, or a CAZ, I'd probably look for a 2.2. None are spectacular performers, but the 2.2 has got to be lighter in the nose, and therefore better to drive down a B road.
The 2.2 is not great on economy. I didn't mention it as it seems suspiciously low on this particular car, at around 30mpg average - I wonder if something is off with the engine fuelling or something. Someone else commented the managed 50 mpg on a long trip with the 2.7 diesel.
I always loved the CX (especially first chrome bumper models) and also love the C6 for the side and rear profiles although i never liked the, to me, bulbous and, dare I say it, ugly front. I wish the interior of the C6 was a modern interpretation of that in the CX including the wonderful revolving drum instruments!
Had a 1st gen C5 V6 that was the "bridge" between XM and C6. The C6 was out of budget...😅
Who is tapping a can ,that sound in background
Brits are scared of owning Citroens. Me included. I did once get a proper Citroen cab ride in Paris and it was a good ride but I still don't want to own one.
They are so tempting but you need balls of steel to own one.
@@sketchbabu IMO, that's rubbish. But by your own admission you need more balls than you've got. Sorry, but I reckon you asked for it.
You may not like it but you can denied that it has its own personality and unique design different from the lot , to bad that today's car its like a copy paste . Citroen used to have its own signature not any more .
Probably about the same repairs budget as an old merc or bimmer. Sadly those diesels are not welcome in London