Citroën Xsara Mk1
A comfortable and practical French hatchback that prioritised ride quality over flair.
- Power
- 90 bhp
- 0–60 mph
- 11.5 s
- Top speed
- 112 mph
About the Citroën Xsara Mk1
The Citroën Xsara was launched in 1997 as a replacement for the ZX, sharing its chassis and self-steering rear axle technology with the Peugeot 306. While it lacked the avant-garde styling of previous Citroëns, it was praised for its class-leading boot space and refined ride quality. The 1.6-litre 8-valve engine (often badged 16V in later revisions, though the 1998 90hp unit is the TU5JP) provided adequate performance for a family car of the era. Today, early Mk1 examples are becoming increasingly rare on UK roads, though they remain affordable entry-level modern classics.
Citroën Xsara Mk1 specs
The Citroën Xsara Mk1 produces 90 bhp (67 kW) and 135 Nm (100 lb-ft) of torque. It reaches 60 mph in 11.5 seconds and has a top speed of 112 mph (180 km/h).
| Make | Citroën |
|---|---|
| Model | Xsara |
| Generation | Mk1 |
| Trim | 1.6 16V |
| Years | 1997–2000 |
| Type | Hatchback |
| Body style | Hatchback |
| Country | France |
| Engine | 1.6-litre inline-4 |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 1,587 cc (1.6 litres) |
| Induction | Naturally aspirated |
| Power | 90 bhp (67 kW) at 5,600 rpm |
| Torque | 135 Nm (100 lb-ft) |
| Redline | 6,500 rpm |
| 0–60 mph | 11.5 s |
| Top speed | 112 mph (180 km/h) |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1,087 kg (2,396 lb) |
| Power-to-weight | 83 bhp per tonne |
Typical figures for the standard car; options, markets and model years vary. Where our specs come from
Citroën Xsara Mk1 rarity in CarSpot
The Citroën Xsara Mk1 is a Common card in CarSpot, with a rarity score of 6 out of 100. Everyday cars you can spot on almost any street. A Common card is worth 10 XP.
Each model's tier starts from a 0–100 score based on its value plus its power or production numbers. Once enough players have spotted a model, how often it is spotted can move it up or down one tier. How CarSpot rarity works
Rarity is a collectible game mechanic, not an assessment of real-world scarcity or value.
Citroën Xsara Mk1 fun facts
- The Xsara's chassis featured a passive rear-steer system, using specially designed subframe mounts to allow the rear wheels to turn slightly in corners for better stability.
- While the standard hatchback was conservative, the Xsara platform served as the basis for the dominant WRC car that took Sébastien Loeb to his first three world titles.
- The Xsara was one of the first cars in its class to offer a multiplex wiring system, which allowed for features like rain-sensing wipers and sophisticated trip computers.