THE French have always had a love affair with big families.

So much so that they have even created the "familiale" or enlarged versions of popular models. They were among the first to create the modern MPV, which was a European sized smaller version of the US ‘vans'.

The Citroen C8 is the company's MPV which is unashamedly aimed at the market which demands the ability to move many people in comfort and room.

There are six versions of the C8 in the range and they have choice of three diesel engines, three trim levels and a truly mind-boggling list of standard or optional features.  You will be hard pressed to find two identical C8s in a car park.

This 2.2 litre automatic was in the Exclusive trim and takes seven in total, with power sliding rear side doors and a manual rear door of enormous proportions which demand some strength to open or close despite its spring assistance.

The 173bhp four-cylinder engine is not big by modern standards but it gives the C8 respectable acceleration and good cruising ability and the potential of good fuel returns as well as emitting under 200gkm on the gases test.

It was matched on the test car to a smooth, easy to select automatic box which could be sequentially moved through the ratios if preferred to optimise performance. Left to its own devices it was effortless and seemed to have the right ratio for anything required.

It did not tend to change up or down in a premature manner and it was always quiet. Which is more than could be said for the engine at times.

A four-cylinder over 2.0 litres is usually a noisy engine and it was so with the C8 when it was pressed to perform either lightly laden or when heaped with additional people to move. It sounded rough at the edges under acceleration.

The steering and brakes were both very good, the C8 turning effortlessly, quickly and tightly in town while the brakes showed enormous power and slowed it dramatically and safely.

Minor controls were tightly grouped around the column and not always in direct line of sight with some fascia switches hidden from view by the wheel rim or their positioning on the lower roll of the dashboard.

By contrast, the central console carried a multitude of switches for heating and ventilation, the sound system and on-board navigation, which is an £1,700 optional extra on the Exclusive.  They were clear and comprehensive.

The heating and ventilation worked well in the C8, warming or cooling the big cabin as desired thanks to separate controls for front and back sections as well as right and left sides. Powered windows add to choices but there was no sunroof on the test vehicle and it's a £1,000 extra in electrical form only.

Where the Citroen C8 leaves many rivals way behind is in the voluminous oddments space and available combinations of luggage layouts with all seats in use or just the front pair.

Very big fascia bins are matched by a deep glovebox, long deep door pockets in front and back, and underfloor storage.

Excellent access is provided throughout with big opening doors, low floor levels and once inside the head and legroom is good. You have very good, leather covered seats with armrests in the front, and their shape and support is reasonably comfortable as well. Full seat belts are provided for all. Access to the rearmost pair of seats is tricky and best left to children or teenagers as legroom is short in these.

Not only are the seats comfortable but the Citroen C8 rides very well over any surface even if it does not keep quiet about how well the springs are coping with what's underneath. There is a tendency to roll around tight turns but the system does a good job at controlling wallowing, pitching and rolling.

For a large vehicle the C8 stays well planted on the road even if it does not convey a lot of feedback to the driver. It corners in a fairly neutral manner but damp surfaces see it running wide before lifting off the throttle brings it back on course in an entirely safe manner.

Visibility is very good with the C8 thanks to the low waistline, large windows and practical shape. Wipers are good both ends and the headlights give a long wide beam.

Because of the good visibility you can read the road ahead very well and anticipate overtaking opportunities to maximise the available power. It is not a sports suv and the performance is not exceptional but it delivers good economy for a family vehicle.

Which comes back to the point of the Citroen C8. It is meant for carrying people in comfort along with a lot of luggage, or goods. It does its job admirably, and if you fill the vehicle with people it is also more environmentally friendly.

It is not cheap and you have to ensure you will use it to the full potential.

3yrs/ 60k