Citroën · 1997–2006

Citroën Xsara

The Citroën Xsara () is a compact C-segment family car, produced by the French automaker PSA Peugeot Citroën, under their Citroën marque, from 1997 to 2006. The Xsara was a development of the Citroën ZX and Peugeot 306, which shared a platform and running gear. It came in three and five door hatchback (notchback) and five door estate body styles; the estate was marketed as the Break and the three door as the Coupé. The styling shared cues with the larger Bertone designed Xantia, but was regarded as bland by the motoring press. The straight-four engine range includes 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 litre petrol engines as well as 1.4, 1.8, 1.9 and 2.0 litre naturally aspirated and turbocharged diesels. In some countries, such as Portugal, the 1.5 litre TUD5 diesel engine was also available. The Xsara was 1998 Semperit Irish Car of the Year in Ireland.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Citroën ZX · Successor: Citroën C4

All Citroën Xsara data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

Chassis design

The familiar range of PSA powertrains drove the front wheels of a seemingly conventionally designed chassis. At the front was a standard MacPherson strut layout with anti-roll bar, while the rear used the PSA Peugeot-Citroën fully independent trailing arm/torsion bar set up, which was first introduced on the estate of the Peugeot 305. However, PSA's chassis engineers employed some unusual features, including passive rear wheel steering by means of specially designed compliance bushes in the rear suspension – though less pronounced than on the ZX – and in-house developed and constructed shock absorbers. At high mileages, this is prone to wear of the axle mounting bushes which is easily fixed. It is also prone to wear in the rear axle trailing arm bearings, which then wear the trailing arm axle tubes, requiring an expensive rebuild or a replacement axle assembly. The diesel and larger capacity petrol engines are canted as far back as possible in the engine bay, in an effort to put as much weight as possible behind the front axle line, also reducing the centre of gravity, while improving weight distribution and minimising understeer.

Overview

=== Pre-facelift === The original Xsara was launched in September 1997, and was available with different engine choices: 1.4L (1361 cc 8 valve SOHC) 55 kW (75 PS; 74 hp) TU3JP 4-cylinder petrol, 111 Nm 1.6L (1587 cc) 66 kW (90 PS; 89 hp) TU5JP four cylinder petrol, 136 Nm 1.8L (1761 cc) 66 kW (90 PS; 89 hp) XU7JB four cylinder petrol 1.8L (1761 cc) 76 kW (103 PS; 102 hp) XU7JP four cylinder petrol 1.8L (1761 cc 16-valve DOHC) 82 kW (110 hp) XU7JP4 four cylinder petrol, 155 Nm 2.0L (1998 cc) 92 kW (125 PS; 123 hp) XU10J2C four cylinder petrol 2.0L (1998 cc 16 valve DOHC) 99 kW (135 PS; 133 hp) XU10J4R four cylinder petrol 2.0L (1998 cc 16 valve DOHC) 123 kW (167 PS; 165 hp) XU10J4RS four-cylinder petrol (Xsara VTS) 1.5L (1527 cc) 43 kW (58 PS; 58 hp) TUD5 diesel 1.9L (1905 cc) 50 kW (68 PS; 67 hp) XUD9A diesel 1.9L (1868 cc) 51 kW (69 PS; 68 hp) DW8 diesel 1.9L (1905 cc) 55 kW (75 PS; 74 hp) XUD9B SD diesel 1.9L (1905 cc) 66 kW (90 PS; 89 hp) XUD9TE turbodiesel 2.0L (1997 cc) 66 kW (90 PS; 89 hp) DW10TD turbodiesel 2.0L (1997 cc) 80 kW (109 PS; 107 hp) DW10ATED turbodiesel Facelift. In September 2000, for the 2001 model year, the Xsara was substantially facelifted with a new bonnet, wings, bumper, grille and headlamps with integrated fog lights. The rear end of the car saw slight changes to the light cluster and the introduction of a new hatch with a prominent logo. The car was now heavier (around 80 kg) and longer (21 mm). The body was made stiffer with A pillars and side-door beams reinforced. The tracks were also widened and 15-inch wheels were now sold as standard. Trims and materials were improved and the new steering wheel taken over from Citroën C5 enabled the installation of a bigger airbag. The instrument displays were now clearer with side and curtain airbags

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Citroën Xsara
Manufacturer: Citroën (PSA Peugeot Citroën)
Production: 1997–2006
Assembly: France: Rennes (PSA Rennes Plant), Spain: Villaverde, Madrid, Spain: Vigo (PSA Vigo Plant), Uruguay: Barra de Carrasco (Oferol), China: Wuhan, Hubei, Egypt: Cairo (AAV)
Predecessor: Citroën ZX
Successor: Citroën C4, Citroën C4 Picasso (for estate)
Class: Small family car (C)
Body style: 5-door hatchback (notchback), 3-door hatchback (notchback), 5-door estate
Layout: Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Wheelbase: 2540 mm
Length: 5-door: 4167 -, 3-door: 4167 -, Estate: 4350 -
Width: 1705 mm
Height: 5-door: 1405 mm, Estate: 1420 mm
Related: Citroën ZX, Peugeot 306, Citroën Xsara Picasso
Designer: Donato Coco, Giles Taylor

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q504633CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citro%C3%ABn_XsaraCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1375234246 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Citroen_xsara.jpgPublic domain · Photo: see file page · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.