Clever packaging only gets you so far. In order to really get to grips with a big family, you need a seriously sizeable MPV and the Citroen C8 more than answers that call. With modest prices, big equipment counts and decent engines it's a tough one to overlook.

If I were a car manufacturer, I'd have to admit that I'd think twice before entering into a joint venture with Citroen. Peugeot and Toyota collaborated with their 107 and Aygo models but Citroen trumped them with sales of their C1 citycar. Much the same happened with the Synergie, the MPV that preceded the C8, in this instance Peugeot and Fiat getting beaten to the punch. Undeterred, they collaborated again with Citroen and the C8 has done a lot better than the Peugeot 807 and Fiat Ulysse models. Perhaps it's due to the aggressive dealer incentivising with zero per cent finance offers, free insurance deals, big cashbacks and no deposit sweeteners. With a revised C8 range on offer, Citroen again look rather smug. Although there are more modern-looking MPVs around, the C8 seems to have hit a sweet spot in the market with its combination of value and equipment.

Although it can't be faulted for its luggage swallowing or safety provision, you wouldn't figure that a Citroen C8 would prove to be a particularly entertaining steer. While it's clearly no sports car, the C8 is surprisingly agile and if you choose one of the two diesel engines on offer, it's even quite quick on a cross country jaunt. From a technical perspective the pick of the engine range is the 2.2-litre HDi diesel while will get from 0-60 in 11.4 seconds. This might not sound hugely impressive but with 400Nm of torque at your disposal, this C8 has some real overtaking punch.

The other diesel engine, the 2.0-litre, is available in either 120 or 136bhp guises and both are well worth looking at, although the 2.0-litre petrol unit is best avoided if you're going to load the C8 up, its mere 190Nm of torque not giving it a whole lot of muscle to fight against some hefty gross tonnage. Body roll is well contained through corners, although you're not going to mistake the C8 for an Elise. Ride quality is good on well surfaced roads although on rutted surfaces it's easy to see where the Citroen loses out in terms of chassis rigidity to the very latest MPVs and the seats lack a little lateral support when you're pushing on.

"It's by no means the freshest face on the block, but it could be still the best.."

There's plenty to cover in terms of practicality. Check out the clever 'childview' rear-view mirror, the triple sunroofs, the swivelling front seats, the refrigerated drinks holders and the fifty or so storage compartments dotted around the cabin. There's room for up to eight adults and access for them is made easier by the flat floor and the dashboard-mounted gearlever. If luggage rather than people carrying is what you need, Citroen's patented 'Quickfix' instant anchoring system will enable you to quickly slide, fold or remove the rear seats for maximum flexibility. The boot is enormous, with a maximum load capacity of almost 3,000 litres.

The seats are mind-bogglingly adjustable in almost every direction. They spin, fold, slide, detach.. you name it they do it. Clap loudly and they even jump through a fiery hoop. Okay, so we just made that bit up, but the combinations are astonishing. Four-zone air conditioning helps combat the effect of the three (count 'em) sunroofs. Multiplex wiring allows for such electronic niceties as light sensitive headlamps, automatic windscreen wipers, and speed indexing of the stereo volume as well as rear parking sensors, guide-me-home headlights and remote control operation of the sunroofs, windows, door mirrors and the sliding doors.

A recent restyle has offered a smoother look, incorporating Citroen's familiar chevrons at the front and rear, bringing them in line with other models in the marque's family. There's also a smarter front grille, extra exterior chrome inserts, plus dark tinted windows and tailgate on Exclusive models. Inside, there are enhanced materials, soft-touch finishes and further chrome inserts for a more polished feel.

The C8 is offered with three trim levels. Even base LX trim isn't badly appointed with features such as electronic stability control, automatic air conditioning, cruise control with speed limiter, an MP3 compatible CD stereo and leather dressing for the steering wheel and gear knob. The cabins on all cars have been given a makeover with superior materials, soft-touch finishes and additional chrome inserts to brighten the ambience. The range-topping Exclusive models get 16-inch Ispahan alloy wheels, leather seats and front and rear parking sensors as standard. The midrange SX doesn't want for standard equipment either with highlights including twin electric sliding doors and, on the diesel models at least, alloy wheels.

A C8 can be had for under £20,000 on the road but that'll net you the entry-level petrol car. A better buy is the £21,195 120bhp diesel in LX trim. Should you want the 173bhp 2.2-litre diesel you'll need a little more folding. The SX opens at £25,595 on the road while the Exclusive looks a little self conscious at £28,095. A third row bench seat for three passengers is available as a no cost option should you require that capability.

With the majority of C8 sales being accounted for by diesel models, it's not surprising that running costs are moderate. The entry-level 120bhp diesel engine manages an average of 40.9mpg which drops to a still creditable average of 39.8mpg if you've ponied up for the 136bhp version of that engine. Go for the 2.2-litre engine and the C8 manages an extra urban fuel consumption figure of 42.8mpg with a combined figure of around 38mpg. Emissions are rated at 218g/km which is a fair figure for a vehicle of this size and with this amount of power.

Insurance is reasonable as well with ratings starting at Group 10 for the entry-level models and reaching Group 14 for the range-topping C8 2.2-litre HDi Exclusive. One thing to keep an eye on is the depreciation figure for this vehicle. As a model that's been around for some time, the C8's replacement is already well under development and this will have an effect on residual values. Negotiating a healthy discount when you buy will help offset this effect.

With so many manufacturers turning to gimmickry and outlandish styling in order to promote their family-friendly MPVs, it's good to find one that's sticking to the knitting with a no-nonsense big bus. What's more, Citroen is reaping the rewards of this policy with strong sales for the C8, the latest round of revisions keeping it relevant. It's by no means the freshest face on the block, but sometimes the combination of plenty of room, a decent range of engines and attractive pricing is one that you don't really need to look beyond.

The first car in its class to get a full EuroNCAP five star rating, the C8 certainly hasn't been overtaken in terms of safety provision; an important consideration when you're hauling your family about with you. Our pick would probably be the entry-level 120bhp diesel and we'd negotiate hard for a sizeable discount.

TOP 5 C8 DEALS

The results below show the top C8 deals on buyacar

	Citroen C8 2.0 HDi 16V Exclusive 5dr [136] People Carrier
	ETR	Mthly £373	Saving £5,984	Price £20,106
	Citroen C8 2.0 HDi 16V SX 5dr [non-FAP] People Carrier
	ETR	Mthly £319	Saving £5,144	Price £17,546
	Citroen C8 2.2 HDi 16V SX 5dr Auto People Carrier
	ETR	Mthly £375	Saving £5,934	Price £19,956
	Citroen C8 2.0i 16V LX 5dr People Carrier
	ETR	Mthly £296	Saving £4,459	Price £15,531
	Citroen C8 2.0i 16V SX 5dr People Carrier
	ETR	Mthly £314	Saving £4,759	Price £16,431

typical 10.44% APR

PCP finance quote over 48 months,  10,000 miles pa,  deposit of £1000