In the summer of 1989, the automotive world witnessed the arrival of two very different but equally audacious new cars: one a sleek two-seat sports car laden with advanced technology, the other the successor to one of the most technically radical saloons of its era. The latter was the Citroën XM — a car that pushed the envelope in design and suspension innovation, and today stands out as a fascinating “£5,000 car you can buy” with a truly unusual character.
While many of its rivals sought incremental improvement, the XM broke new ground with its semi-electronic Hydractive suspension, dramatic styling from Bertone, and clever comfort features that were ahead of their time. Although it was not without flaws, its combination of bold engineering and execution makes it among the most remarkable used buys in the UK for under £5 k.
The Genesis of a Radical Executive Saloon
Developed to replace the ageing CX, the XM launched in May 1989, designed by Bertone under Marc Deschamps. Its styling departed from the traditional flowing Citroën lines into sharper creases, yet retained plenty of glass and a distinctive punch in its beltline. Wikipedia+1
Its ambition went beyond looks. The XM pioneered production use of the “Hydractive” version of Citroën’s famed hydropneumatic suspension system, meaning the car could switch between ride modes using sensors and a computer. Wikipedia+1
Upon launch the XM was hailed for its luxurious ride and technology – it even won the European Car of the Year award in 1990. Wikipedia+1
Suspension Innovation: Hydractive in the XM
What set the XM apart was its Hydractive suspension, an evolution of Citroën’s classic hydropneumatic system. In the XM, sensors on the suspension, steering, throttle and brakes informed a computer how the car was being driven and would tighten or soften the ride accordingly. citroenet.org.uk
This meant that in “normal” driving the ride was plush and floating, reminiscent of a citroën DS. When the car sensed cornering, rapid steering input or braking, the system stiffened the suspension, reducing body roll and improving handling. Wikipedia+1
However, the complexity came with some issues. Early XM models experienced electrical and hydraulic gremlins — poor earths and connector issues led to suspension failures or harsh ride episodes. Wikipedia+1
But for the enthusiast willing to maintain the system, the reward was a long-distance cruiser with a unique ride quality and unmistakable personality.
Styling & Design: Still Unusual Today
The XM’s styling stands out even now. With its stepped beltline, expansive glasshouse, and that secondary rear window panel (designed so rear passengers wouldn’t feel the open-hatch breeze), it had details few rivals dared. Autocar+1
Inside, the message-centre display and futuristic layout hinted at Citroën’s ambition to mix comfort with tech. While some may now see ergonomics as quirky, that very quirkiness is part of its appeal.
In the UK used-car market, a well-sorted XM offers something genuinely different — a car that doesn’t blend into the background, yet can be sourced for around £5,000 if you watch the condition, servicing history, and known weak spots.
Buying an XM Today: Why It’s “Most Unusual” and What to Check
Why it’s unusual:
- It delivers executive-car size and ambition at a fraction of the cost of typical German rivals.
- Its ride and feel remain distinct: if the Hydractive system works well, the car feels unlike most modern sedans.
- For the money, you get rare tech, rarity, and style — things hard to find in budget classics.
What to inspect:
- The Hydractive system: check the hydraulic spheres, look for suspension height problems, test in both normal and sport settings.
- Electrical wiring and earths: early XM models had known connector issues that caused suspension or messaging faults. Wikipedia+1
- The message-centre and driver electronics: ensure the dash functions correctly.
- Motors and larger engine options: the V6 versions are more desirable (for example the 3.0 litre PRV V6) and have better performance. Wikipedia
- Body condition and rust: as with many 1990s French cars, check structural and inner wing rust, particularly around hydraulic components.
If you find a well-maintained facelifted V6 version, you may get a car that offers genuine comfort, performance and individuality — a very unusual but compelling £5 k purchase.
Why the XM Fell Short — And Why That Adds to Its Appeal
Despite its promise, the XM never hit sales expectations — production over 11 years totalled around 333,000 units. Wikipedia
Reasons included:
- The technological complexity raised production costs and reliability questions.
- The styling, while unmistakable, was polarising and perhaps less conservative than many buyers preferred.
- The base 2.0-litre version lacked the performance to match the image of the car (until turbo versions arrived).
- The ambitious suspension system sometimes contributed to increased servicing costs or unpredictable ownership experience.
Yet all these factors contribute to its current value. A car that once struggled commercially is now a quirky, out-of-the-ordinary classic — and at £5 k (or thereabouts) it offers much more for the price than many “classic” cars costing six numbers.
Final Verdict
If you’re hunting a used car for around £5,000 that stands out, offers British-friendly driving, and has genuine tech and character, the Citroën XM deserves serious attention. Some may regard it as unconventional, but that’s precisely its strength.
For the right buyer — one who embraces its quirks, checks the major systems, and knows what they’re getting — the XM can be a rewarding drive. It captures a moment when Citroën dared to be different. And in a world of lookalike cars, that difference is refreshing.
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