1991 CITROEN ZX 5 Doors 1.9L TD 5MT (90 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Citroen introduced the compact-segment ZX in 1991, five years after its predecessor’s dismissal, the GSA, which was on the market since 1970.

The French carmaker introduced the ZX lineup to fill the gap between the small-sized AX and the mid-size model BX. For those times standards, the new hatchback was an appropriate answer for the Golf and, most importantly, the Renault 19 hatchback.

With a design signed by Bertone Studio, the ZX showed a fresh look, unlike any other Citroen. The new range also marked a departure from the BX’s angular lines and an approach to the bio-design era, which was about to begin. The shaved edges and slightly softened corners gave a modern look to the compact hatchback. Its five-door version made it an excellent family vehicle, especially for young families.

Inside, the carmaker mounted a flat dashboard with a squared-looking instrument cluster. On the center stack, depending on the options, it installed a radio-cassette player, the climate control unit underneath, and the ashtray. On standard trim levels, the ZX featured cranked windows while the full-option models featured power-windows.

Citroen installed a wide range of diesel and gasoline engines paired as standard to a five-speed manual. For selected versions, it added a four-speed automatic on the options list. ZX’s technical platform was very advanced for those times, with independent suspension in all corners and a torsion beam in the back. Moreover, the carmaker designed its own dampers when the parts suppliers couldn’t offer something suitable.