Front impact
The passenger compartment remained stable during the impact. The driver's knees were well protected by an airbag mounted in the lower dashboard. Citroen showed that the airbag would also protect occupants who were larger or smaller than the dummy used in the test, and those sat in different seating positions. The passenger was well restrained and his knees did not get close to the dashboard.

Side impact
The C5 scored maximum points in the side impact and pole tests.

Child-protection
The passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward facing child restraint to be used in that seating position. However, information provided to the driver about the status of the airbag is not sufficiently clear. The label warning of the dangers of using a rearward facing restraint without first disabling the airbag was clear and permanently visible. The presence of ISOFIX anchorages in the rear outboard seats was not clearly marked. The new C5 has been rated as four stars for child protection compared to three stars for the previous model.

Pedestrian protection
The C5 was awarded no points for the protection offered by the front edge of the bumper to pedestrians' legs. The bonnet surface was also rated as predominantly poor in the area likely to be struck by an adult's head. However, the bumper scored maximum points.