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MPV
Families love the C8: there's plenty of space for seven, although you can also find a few six- and eight-seaters. Remove all but the front pair and you've an arena-like 2948 litres of space.
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You also get stacks of thoughtful features that make a real difference in daily use. For example, the sliding rear doors (often electrically operated) make supermarket car parks a doddle, because you don't have to worry about the kids clonking the neighbouring car. The HDI diesel engines are great, economical (for the car's size), refined and punchy. The 2.0-litre petrol is decent enough on a cruise but isn't really strong enough for hauling heavy loads. All handle well by large MPV standards - no one will feel seasick on back roads - and the ride is smooth, if a bit firm around town. Most drivers should be comfortable in the high-up driving position and the controls are well placed, but the centrally mounted instruments aren't to all tastes.
Running Costs
The C8 is sold new for huge discounts below what is only a vaguely notional list price, so nearly new ones should be conspicuously cheap. However, be careful not to stump up too much for a one-year-old C8 or you'll pay the price in depreciation when you resell it. Other than that, you should be able to pick up a used C8, run it and then sell it inexpensively. Insurance starts at a reasonable group 10 for the entry-level 2.0-litre cars (petrol and diesel) and tops out at an easily stomached group 12 for the 2.2 HDI Exclusive and Exclusive CC. Our favoured 2.2 HDi SX is in group 11 and, better still, should return just under 40mpg with sensible driving. The 2.0 HDI will just nudge over 40mpg, while even the 2.0 petrol should be good for an average of about 30mpg. Servicing costs are on a par with most other mainstream large MPVs and won't hurt too much.