The people carrier or MPV has been a mainstay of British motoring since the 1980s when Renault first introduced the Espace. Ever since then, owning one has been a distinctly love-hate affair. On the one hand they are practical, relatively cheap, reliable family load luggers; on the other they are dull to drive and duller to look at.

The Citroën C8, which was launched in January 2003 and can carry between six and eight people depending on the model and options, signalled the end of that. Not only did the C8 look attractive but it drove well. Five years on and with secondhand prices starting at just £5,000, a C8 could now be one of the cheapest solutions to your people-moving needs.

Sharing its underpinnings with the Fiat Ulysse and Peugeot 807, the C8 is available with both petrol and diesel engines. The 2 litre petrol unit is the cheapest option. Initially producing 138bhp (later improved to 143bhp) it offers reasonable performance, while the top spec Exclusive has a more powerful 160bhp 2.2 litre unit (though this is no longer available in new cars). Unless you require the extra equipment offered by the Exclusive, the 2 litre is the one to buy.

If you prefer diesel, there’s the 2.0HDi. Initially it produced 109bhp, but in 2006 this became a choice of either 120bhp or 136bhp. Alternatively the original 2.2HDi produces 136bhp (a new version introduced this year produces 173bhp but will be rare in the secondhand market). The 136bhp 2.2 litre diesel copes well with loads and with 232 lb ft of torque available at low revs it offers decent performance; 0-60mph taking 12.6sec However, the petrol versus diesel debate has recently taken a twist: not only will a diesel C8 cost you around £1,300 more than the equivalent petrol version but with diesel fuel now costing around 10p per litre more at the pumps you might never recover that initial extra outlay even with the superior fuel economy.

Externally the C8’s styling is a huge improvement over its predecessor, the Citroën Synergie. The sleek aluminium roof bars and chunky alloy door handles (both standard on the Exclusive) give the car an upmarket feel and the smoothly sloping bonnet and large rear light lenses work well to disguise the boxy dimensions usually associated with an MPV.

Slip inside the C8 cabin and it is unlikely to disappoint. The centrally mounted trio of dials, illuminated at night by a soft green glow, have an art deco feel about them, the stubby dash-mounted gearstick falls to hand easily and the large squashy seats feel instantly comfortable.

By placing the handbrake to the right of the driver’s seat Citroën has managed to keep the floor between the front seats clear, which is useful if you want to move into the back without braving the weather when the car is stationary.

Passengers in the middle row of seats fair equally well with separate heating and cooling systems, seatback tables and a power socket for laptops and computer games. The higher spec SX and Exclusive models are fitted with electric opening and closing for the twin sliding doors – a neat feature that enables the driver to open the doors using the remote key fob as you approach the C8.

Rearmost passengers will find access and overall space a little tighter. But for children rather than adults it’s still a fine place to be, with all seats fitted with three-point seatbelts and curtain airbags that extend the full length of the passenger compartment.

While it is spacious inside, the C8 manages to disguise its generous dimensions well when on the road. The driver benefits from a high seating position and great visibility while the variable power steering provides light steering in town and good feel at higher speeds. Body roll is more than acceptable and ride comfort impressive. Only when driven hard does the C8 reveal its limits - but then no one said that a people carrier would be a great drive.

The Citroën C8 is a vehicle that can be enjoyed by large families, and if you spend much of your driving time on your own, the C8’s good looks and impressive comfort make it a vehicle you won’t mind being seen alone in either.

Electrics While the C8 is generally reliable some owners report problems with electric windows and boot release. Check each one carefully

Sliding doors Standard on SX and Exclusive models. Check they work from the remote control and that the “antitrap” mechanism operates

Roof bars The roof bars look great on the Exclusive and can host a number of specialised carrying systems

Suspension Check ball joints on early cars and refer to original service receipts to see if they have been replaced

Seats Exclusive models have twin captain’s seats in the middle row limiting the C8 to six seats. A rear bench seat to accommodate three passengers was an optional dealer fit

Satellite navigation An expensive factory option at £1,650, it is rarely found on used examples. Do not pay more than a £300 premium for a used example with the system

Air-conditioning Standard on all models; SX and Exclusive get more sophisticated climate control system

Safety Six airbags as standard together with electronic brake force distribution, electronic braking assistance and stability control and hazard lights that are activated automatically under hard braking. Euro NCAP awarded the C8 five stars for adult occupant safety

Vital statistics

Model Citroën C8 2.2HDi SX

Engine 2179cc, four cylinders

Power 136bhp

Transmission Six-speed manual

Fuel 38.2mpg (combined cycle)

Acceleration 0-60mph: 12.6sec

Top speed 115mph

CO2 emissions 199g/km

Road tax band F (£210 for 12 months)

Cost new today £25,895 (173bhp, auto only)

The one to buy A 2005 05 Citroën C8 2.2HDi SX with 30,000 miles on the clock. Pay £10,250 at a Citroën dealer or £9,000 privately

Values

Mileage 20,000 30,000 50,000

2004 04 Trade £8,075 £7,675 £6,900

Retail £9,795 £9,375 £8,625

2005 05 Trade £9,000 £8,525 £7,675

Retail £10,750 £10,250 £9,395

2006 06 Trade £10,150 £9,650 £8,700

Retail £11,895 £11,395 £10,450

Or for similar money 2000 X Mercedes-Benz C 220 CDI 2003 53 Renault Espace 2.2 dCi 2004 53 Ford Galaxy 1.9 TDi Ghia 2004 54 VW Sharan 1.9 TDI 2005 05 Peugeot 807 2.0 HDi