AS prices at the pump continue to head for the stratosphere the cost of fuel is becoming more-and-more important to all of us.

However, if you have not yet been drawn over to the dark side of motoring and surrendered to the inevitability of electric cars there is a compromise in the shape of hybrids.

One of the latest is Citroen’s C5 Aircross, which manages to sip the go juice at a surprisingly economic rate despite being a large SUV which can carry five in comfort plus loads of luggage.

Citroen say it can do over 43mpg combined but during a 400-mile round trip to Bath I managed well over fifty using ECO mode and a light right foot!

The C5 Aircross has a striking design with loads of road presence yet remains typically Citroen with quirky touches including distinctive wing-like rear lights and door speakers that stick out of the dashboard.

The company say the C5 is a “Comfort class SUV” as it has the French brand’s famously supple ride and armchair-like comfy seats.

This latest C5 Aircross gets a new look and more interior space plus a variety of power trains including a mild hybrid, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and, for the first time, you can have it as an all-electric car.

In entry-level You! trim it looks like great value with an affordable price tag (£31,000) and loads of standard equipment.

The Plug-In Hybrid 225 gets a more powerful 1.6-litre turbocharged engine and electric motor so it’s faster but our test car was the mid-range PLUS hybrid 145 (£33,135) which has a 1199cc three-cylinder turbo petrol engine plus an electric motor boosting bhp to 145. That means a top speed of 125 and 0 to 62 time of a respectable 11.2 seconds.

No version gets a manual gearbox – there is a six-speed dual-clutch automatic box in our mild hybrid and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic in the PHEV.

While the Hybrid 145 can drive on electric power alone for short distances the Plug-In Hybrid 225 has an electric range of up to 53 miles, courtesy of its 17.8kWh battery.

Inside there is a big upright central touchscreen plus loads of space for bits and pieces with large door bins, a generous cubby and two cupholders beneath the floating centre console. You even get a deep compartment in the central armrest that is chilled.

The driving position is good with pedals, steering wheel and seat all lining up perfectly and the steering wheel and seat have lots of adjustment. Our Plus and the top-of-the-range Max also have adjustable lumbar support on the driver’s seat which is electrically-powered in the Max.

You sit high up which, combined with the narrow windscreen pillars, means you get a good view of the road ahead. Likewise through the back thanks to a large rear windows and big cut outs in the rear pillars.

Even though the C5 Aircross has grown a little parking is not an issue as every version has rear parking sensors with front sensors and a rear-view camera on our Plus version while top-spec Max gets a 360-degree camera..

There are plenty of standard features including wireless phone charging, sat-nav and three drive modes, ECO, Normal and Sport. Room in the back is good and three adults can sit in comfort. All versions also get a 565-litre boot.

The entry level You! Trim includes 18in alloy wheels, electric heated wing mirrors, wireless phone charging, adaptive cruise control, automatic dual-zone air-con and keyless start.

Stepping up to mid-spec Plus trim adds the additional parking aids along with 19in alloys, adjustable lumbar support and some interior colour changes.

Range-topping Max boasts matrix LED headlights, a head-up display, keyless entry, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, an electric tailgate, massage front seats and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

A three-year/60,000-mile warranty comes as standard but that can be extended to eight-years/100,000-miles providing you have the car regularly serviced at a Citroën-approved centre.

For more info see www.citroen.co.uk

By Motoring Editor Steve Howarth