Citroën: The Spaceship That Landed in France

Citroën is the non-conformist of the car world. While others built carriages, Citroën built spaceships. Famous for the hydropneumatic suspension that floats over bumps and the stunning DS, they defined French luxury as "technology meets art". A brand for those who think differently.

Citroën Hero Vehicle

Model Lineup

Explore the current production vehicles.

DS

The Goddess. The icon. A car that fell from the sky. The DS was a masterpiece of avant-garde design and revolutionary technology, with its self-leveling hydropneumatic suspension, swiveling headlights, and futuristic shape. It is a national monument of France.

Production 1955-1975

2CV

The 'Tin Snail.' An umbrella on wheels. The 2CV was a work of minimalist genius, a simple, rugged, and incredibly practical car designed to carry a farmer's eggs across a plowed field without breaking them. A symbol of freedom and French ingenuity.

Production 1948-1990

SM

The Concorde for the road. The SM was a stunning, high-tech grand tourer with a Maserati V6 heart, self-leveling suspension, and variable-assist steering. It is a masterpiece of 70s futurism and one of the most ambitious cars ever created.

Production 1970-1975

Traction Avant

The car that changed the world. The Traction Avant was a groundbreaking pioneer, one of the first mass-produced cars with front-wheel drive and a modern unibody construction. Its brilliant engineering set the template for the modern automobile.

Production 1934-1957

H Van (Type H)

The iconic, corrugated-metal workhorse of France. The H Van was a masterpiece of practical design with its low, flat floor and cavernous space. It has become a beloved cultural icon, living a second life as the world's coolest food truck.

Production 1947-1981

CX

The futuristic, aerodynamic successor to the DS. The CX was a stunning fastback with a spaceship-like interior, featuring a single-spoke steering wheel and a 'magic carpet' ride. The GTi Turbo was a legendary, high-speed autobahn express.

Production 1974-1991

C4 Cactus

The car that brought Citroën's quirky spirit back. The C4 Cactus was a daring and innovative crossover, famous for its protective 'Airbumps' on the doors. It was a bold statement about prioritizing clever design and real-world usability.

Production 2014-2020

Ami

A radical solution for modern urban mobility. The Ami is not a car; it's a tiny, two-seat electric quadricycle that can be driven by teenagers in France. It is a brilliantly simple and affordable vision for the future of the city car.

Production 2020-Present

C5 X

The modern flagship and a synthesis of three cars in one. The C5 X blends the elegance of a sedan, the versatility of a wagon, and the presence of an SUV. It is the ultimate expression of the brand's 'Advanced Comfort' philosophy for a new era.

Production 2021-Present

BX

The lightweight, boxy, and brilliant family car designed by Marcello Gandini. The BX was a marvel of the 80s, offering the magic carpet ride of hydropneumatic suspension in a practical package. The 4TC Group B rally car was an untamed monster.

Production 1982-1994

Méhari

The ultimate fun-in-the-sun machine. The Méhari was a simple, rugged, and incredibly lightweight utility vehicle with a plastic body, based on the 2CV. It was the perfect, carefree companion for the beach and the countryside. A true symbol of leisure.

Production 1968-1988

Berlingo / Multispace

The car that pioneered the 'Leisure Activity Vehicle' segment. The Berlingo is a masterpiece of practicality, a van-based family car that offers an incredible amount of space and utility. It is the unsung hero of countless European families.

Production 1996-Present

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"The Goddess" and The Future

If you drove a Citroën DS in 1955, you were effectively driving a spaceship. At a time when American cars were using leaf springs and solid axles (technology from the 1800s), Citroën introduced a car that looked like a teardrop and floated on a cushion of oil and gas.

The DS (pronounced "Déesse," which means Goddess in French) stunned the world at the Paris Motor Show. It had a single-spoke steering wheel, headlights that turned with the steering (on later models), and a brake pedal that wasn't a pedal at all—it was a rubber "mushroom" on the floor that required almost no pressure to stop the car instantly.

[Image of a futuristic Citroën DS floating on its suspension]

The Magic Carpet: Hydropneumatic Suspension

The core of the Citroën legend is the Hydropneumatic Suspension. Instead of metal springs and shocks, the car sits on green metal spheres filled with nitrogen gas and hydraulic fluid.

The result is a ride quality that has never been equaled. It doesn't drive over bumps; it erases them.
The Party Trick: The system is self-leveling. If you get a flat tire, you can raise the suspension to its highest setting, prop the car up, and the car will lift its own wheel off the ground. You can famously drive a DS on only three wheels.

The Umbrella on Wheels: The 2CV

On the complete opposite end of the spectrum was the 2CV (Deux Chevaux). It was designed in the 1930s with a specific brief: "Carry two farmers and a sack of potatoes across a plowed field without breaking a single egg." It is the most utilitarian, charming, and terrifyingly slow car ever made. It is the VW Beetle of France.

The Maserati Connection: The SM

In the 1970s, Citroën bought Maserati. The result was the Citroën SM. It combined the futuristic hydropneumatic chassis of the DS with a screaming Maserati V6 engine.

It was named Motor Trend’s Car of the Year in 1972. It was fast, incredibly complex, and beautiful. It was the car you drove if you were an architect or a supervillain.

Buying Advice: Green Blood

Owning a classic Citroën in the US is a commitment to chemistry.

  • LHM Fluid: The lifeblood of the car is LHM (Liquide Hydraulique Minéral). It is bright green. It powers the brakes, the steering, and the suspension. If the car leaks green fluid, do not drive it—you will lose your brakes and your suspension simultaneously.
  • The Spheres: The suspension spheres act like accumulators. They eventually lose their nitrogen charge and need to be recharged or replaced, otherwise, the "magic carpet" turns into a bouncy castle.

Citroën is for the person who believes that doing things differently is better than doing them normally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy a new Citroën in the United States in 2026?

As of 2026, Citroën does not maintain a traditional dealership network for passenger cars in the USA. However, the brand has entered the American market through Free2move, a mobility service by Stellantis. This allows urban residents in cities like Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and Portland to access the Citroën Ami via subscription or car-sharing programs.

While the full European lineup is not available for direct purchase, Stellantis utilizes Citroën’s Advanced Comfort® technologies and EV platforms to influence its North American brands, ensuring the French "spirit of comfort" reaches US drivers indirectly.

Which Citroën models become legal to import to the US in 2026?

The 25-year import rule makes 2026 a landmark year for French car enthusiasts. Vehicles manufactured in 2001 are officially eligible for permanent import. Key models reaching eligibility include:

  • Citroën C5 (Phase 1): Known for its revolutionary Hydractive 3 suspension system.
  • Citroën Xsara VTS: A celebrated hot hatch with sharp handling and rally-bred DNA.
  • Citroën Berlingo: The pioneer of the "leisurespace" vehicle category, now a practical classic.

These cars can be imported without meeting modern FMVSS guidelines, provided their specific manufacture date is at least 25 years old at the time of entry.

What are the specs of the 2026 Citroën ë-C3 available via import?

The 2026 Citroën ë-C3 is a game-changing "budget" EV that prioritizes comfort. It features a 113 hp electric motor and a 44 kWh battery, delivering an EPA-equivalent range of approximately 199 to 201 miles. It supports 100 kW DC fast charging, allowing a 20% to 80% charge in just 26 minutes.

For those in the US looking for a secondary city car, the ë-C3 offers Progressive Hydraulic Cushions®, a suspension technology that creates a "flying carpet effect," smoothing out rough American city streets better than many larger SUVs.

How does the Citroën Ami work in US car-sharing programs?

The Citroën Ami is classified in the US as a neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) or quadricycle. It features a 5.5 kWh battery with a range of 47 miles and a top speed of 28 mph. Through the Free2move app, users can rent an Ami for short urban trips.

Its 100% digital interface and ultra-compact size (just 7.9 feet long) make it perfect for parking in dense US metro areas. It can be fully recharged in 3 hours using a standard 110V household outlet, making it one of the most accessible EVs in America.

What is Citroën Advanced Comfort® technology?

Citroën Advanced Comfort® is a holistic approach to vehicle design found in 2026 models like the C5 X. It consists of three key pillars:

  • Suspension: Using progressive hydraulic cushions to filter out road imperfections.
  • Seats: High-density foam and extra 15mm textured foam for a "lounge-like" feel.
  • Acoustics: Laminated front and rear windows to minimize wind and road noise.

This focus on serenity and well-being distinguishes Citroën from its firmer-riding German and American competitors.

Can I service a classic Citroën DS or 2CV in the USA?

Yes, servicing a classic Citroën in the US is supported by a dedicated community of specialists. Parts for the Citroën DS and 2CV are widely available through retailers like Western Hemispheres or Citroën Pieces. Because of the brand's historical popularity in the US (until 1974), there is a robust network of LHM (Hydraulic Fluid) experts.

Owners often participate in the Citroën Rendezvous, the largest gathering of French cars in North America, to exchange technical advice and source rare body or trim components.

What is the 2026 Citroën C5 X flagship?

The Citroën C5 X is a unique crossover that blends the elegance of a sedan, the versatility of a station wagon, and the stance of an SUV. In 2026, the Plug-in Hybrid 225 version offers a combined 225 hp and an electric-only range of up to 39 miles.

It features the Extended Head-Up Display, which projects essential information onto the windshield in full color and 3D. While it remains a European flagship, it is a popular vehicle for US ex-pats and enthusiasts who value avant-garde design and superior highway cruising comfort.

Does Citroën use the same platforms as Jeep and Ram?

Yes, as part of Stellantis, Citroën utilizes global platforms like STLA Medium and Smart Car. These same architectures underpin several 2026 US models, including the next-generation Jeep Compass and various Dodge crossovers.

This shared "brain" means that even though the bodies are French, the underlying electrical and drivetrain technology is compatible with the diagnostics used across the Stellantis US service network, simplifying long-term support for imported units.

What is the Citroën "Oli" design concept for 2026?

The Citroën Oli [all-ë] is a radical concept car influencing the 2026 lineup. It focuses on sustainability and "right-sizing" by using recycled cardboard for the roof and hood, and simplified parts to reduce weight and cost. Its goal is a 1,000 kg weight limit and a 248-mile range from a small 40 kWh battery.

This philosophy of "enough is enough" challenges the US trend of heavy, overpowered EVs, aiming to provide affordable electric mobility without sacrificing style or utility.

How do I verify the build date for a 25-year Citroën import?

To qualify for the 25-year exemption, you must provide the exact month and year of manufacture. For Citroën, this is found on the ORGA number (or RP number), usually stamped on the A-pillar or door jamb. This 4 or 5-digit code can be converted into the precise day the car rolled off the assembly line.

Providing this number on the NHTSA Form HS-7 is the most reliable way to prove eligibility to US Customs and avoid costly storage fees or seizure during the importation of 2001 models like the Berlingo or C5.