PROGRESS REPORT
(2022) DS 9 vs CITROEN XM (1990)
Two fancy French saloons, each claiming pillowlike comfort. How do they compare?
WORDS: PETER RAWLINS
WITH
THANKS
TO ROB DRAPER FOR THE LOAN OF HIS CITROEN XM
PHOTOGRAPHY: JONNY FLEETWOOD
AN XM? I’VE NOT SEEN ONE OF THOSE FOR AGES
You and us both. Citroen’s luxobarge pedigree began with the DS, followed by the CX, and then this, the XM. Launched in 1989 and styled by Bertone, one of its key selling points was its self-levelling, electronically controlled hydropneumatic suspension that promised a silky smooth ride. Despite winning plenty of plaudits from the automotive media, sales suffered due to perceived unreliability issues, and it was quietly phased out 11 years later.