Citroen C8 2.2 HDi Car Review

Facts At A Glance
Car: Citroen C8 2.2 HDi range
Prices: £25,595-£28,095 – on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 14 [est]
Emissions: 218g/km
Performance: 0-60 11.4s Max Speed 122mph
Fuel Consumption: (extra urban) 42.8mpg
Safety: Six airbags, ABS with EBD and EBA, ESP
Dimensions: Length/Width/Heightmm 4727/1818/1752

An MPV for the Ages

Our Rating: No Rating Available

Collaboration between Peugeot, Citroen and Fiat has once again delivered a class leading MPV in the Citroen branded C8. The C8 comes with a 2.2-litre HDi engine that delivers power and given that Citroen has long been able to get his MPV into driveways across the UK with cost incentives people are looking for the C8 to break sales records.

Many people in the Citroen company like to point out just how far ahead the C8 was in safety standards. The C8 was the first large MPV to get a five star Euro NCAP safety rating for occupant safety. Citroen could have rested on the fact alone and sold the C8 as the only choice for safety. However, Citroen decided to forge ahead and deliver power with that safety in the form of a 2.2-litre HDi diesel engine.

The C8 with the 2.2-litre HDi diesel powered engines delivers a strong punch with 173bhp that give a little surprise to those people expecting a slow get-up-and-go. Of course the 11.4 second 0-60mph speed off the line isn't going to set any land speed records, but one has to remember that we are discussing a large MPV not a BMW 5-series.

The 2.2-litre HDi engine has a torque of 295lb/ft allowing for a nice jaunt across the country. Passing with the C8 is as simple as a little twitch with the right foot upon the accelerator. The C8 tops out about 122mph which is plenty fast for even the safest of large MPVs. Drivers who traverse smoother roads as routine will be very pleased with the suspension while drivers who regularly spend their time on bumpier roads may not be so pleased.

Citroen offers only two trim levels for the 2.2-litre powered C8 MPVs. Both trim levels available for this engine are the higher-end levels known as SX and Exclusive. The interior of both levels have been given a nice re-do that includes superior materials with soft-touch plastics and chrome detailing throughout. The Exclusive models come with 16-inch Ispapan allow wheels, leather appointed seats and parking sensors at both ends. The SX comes with a nice set of standard items that include; leather trimmed steering wheel and gear lever, a speed limiter, cruise control and redesigned seat trims.

Given that the lower 2.0-litre diesel option delivers a measly 136bhp it wouldn't be surprising of the cost premium imposed by Citroen on the 2.2-litre would be high, but think again. The SX levels start at £25,595 to get in on the road and the Exclusive runs about £28,095. Not bad pricing for a safe MPV with plenty of upgrades and an engine that motors well.

In terms of insurance cost the C8 2.2-litre ends up in the Group 14 class. This class will give most owners very reasonable rates to insure this machine.

Combining the lower-than-expected cost on the road and the diesel powered efficient consumption of an estimated 42.8 in extra urban driving one would be hard pressed to find another large MPV that offered a better value.