Citroen C8 (2003 – 2010) Review
.jpg?width=640&height=426&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=640&height=426&rmode=crop)
Citroen C8 (2003 – 2010) At A Glance
Seating for up to eight in a practical, versatile cabin. Plenty of safety and comfort features. Five-star crash rating from 2003. Easy to drive.
Limited headroom in rows two and three. Some serious build quality problems reported.
These days it's not enough for a car to be an MPV or ‘people mover'. It's got to be a good car as well. So, acknowledging that mum and the kids want all the space and goodies of an MPV, but also that dad wants something he can get a bit of pleasure out of driving, PSA has come up with the Citroen C8.
Reviews for Citroen C8 (2003 – 2010)'s top 3 rivals
.jpg?width=240&height=160&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=240&height=160&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=240&height=160&rmode=crop)
Citroen C8 (2003 – 2010) handling and engines
- Engines range from 2.0 HDi Automatic to 2.2 HDi Automatic
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 19–41 mpg
We tried the 2.2 HDi which is powerful and torquey enough to drive like quite a good car. It's obviously a bit limited in the bends but not as badly as its predecessor and you can easily forget you're driving an MPV.
There are airbags everywhere, seven three-point belts and enough safety features to earn the C8 a four star NCAP rating. But, as in the Synergie, headroom in the middle and rearmost rows is far from lofty. So, like the Synergie, there may be a high top base-spec taxi version along in a year or so.
Think of the C8 and think long holiday journeys to the South of France, Spain or Italy in comfort. That's what it's all about. Even when you're stuck in the school run traffic jam.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 HDi | 40–41 mpg | 12.5–12.9 s | 175–179 g/km |
| 2.0i 16V | 31 mpg | 11.6 s | 213 g/km |
Real MPG average for the Citroen C8 (2003 – 2010)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
87%
Real MPG
19–41 mpg
MPGs submitted
33
Citroen C8 (2003 – 2010) interior
- Boot space is 480–2948 litres
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4726 mm |
| Width | 1850 mm |
| Height | 1752 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2823 mm |
This has all the supermarket carpark attributes, of twin sliding anti-trap rear side doors than can be electronically controlled individually from the kebfob (assuming the fob holder isn't butterfingered and opens the wrong side door onto a busy main road). It has a panoramic interior mirror for viewing the interior (what the brats are up to on the back seats). It has seatback tables, up to three individually controllable climate zones; power outlets for running Playstations and whatever else; even a pencil and crayon holder.
It's got all the stuff you'd expect to find in an MPV, plus a few nice surprises you didn't expect (check the spec list). And, of course, a walk-through cab that allows dad or mum to snakehip their way between the front seats and see to whatever chaos is taking place in the back. On top of that, you can do almost anything you like with the seats: Fold them. Remove them. Even junk the rearmost pair and replace them with a 3-seater bench, turning the car into a full 8-seater.
But all that stuff isn't enough if the thing drives like an old panel van. These days, the people in the front seats expect to have fun as well because if they can't they'll go out and buy a BMW 5-Series Touring and not care about leaving the neighbours kids behind.
So just look at that dashboard. A work of art or what? I've never seen anything like it before. Except, perhaps at Cuidad des Artes in Valencia. And it takes a while to work out, because though the main dials are in the middle, the tripmeter is on the steering column and, until you get used to them, you sort of have to guess which is the climate control and which is the radio. Another beautiful piece of design is the aluminium effect door handles, which you won't even have to use if you open them by the remote plip which comes with SX versions.
The parking brake is on the right, as on the Synergie that preceded the C8, and as on the Austin A35 van that preceded that. Why not? It allows unobstructed, unimpeded access to the brats in the back. The ones you can see in that panoramic interior-view mirror.
But if you can get your mind off the load behind it really isn't a bad drive. Anyone used to a big 4x4 will think it's a limo. And anyone used to a BMW 5-Series Touring will think it's not too bad for a van.
Citroen C8 (2003 – 2010) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4726 mm |
| Width | 1850 mm |
| Height | 1752 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2823 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1612–1893 kg |
| Boot Space | 480–2948 L |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Servicing | 20000 miles |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £20,065–£30,395 |
| Insurance Groups | 21–29 |
| Road Tax Bands | H–K |
| Official MPG | 29.4–40.9 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | 5 |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | 1 |
| Overall | - |
On sale until January 2010
| People Carrier | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 2.0 HDi 16v Exclusive | £28,095 | 39.8 mpg | 12.5 s |
| 2.0 HDi 16v LX | £23,595 | 40.9 mpg | 12.9 s |
| 2.0 HDi 16v SX | £24,695 | 40.9 mpg | 12.9 s |
| 2.0 HDi 16v SX DPFS | £25,595 | 39.8 mpg | 12.5 s |
| 2.2 HDi 16v Exclusive Auto | £30,395 | - | - |
| 2.2 HDi 16v SX Auto | £27,895 | - | - |
On sale until December 2008
| People Carrier | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 2.0i 16v LX | £20,065 | 31.4 mpg | 11.6 s |
| 2.0i 16v SX | £21,239 | 31.4 mpg | 11.6 s |
On sale until May 2007
| People Carrier | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 2.0i 16v Exclusive Auto | £24,370 | - | - |
| 2.0i 16v SX Auto | £21,945 | - | - |
On sale until November 2006
| People Carrier | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 2.0 HDI 16v Exclusive Auto | £25,720 | - | - |
| 2.0 HDi 16v SX Auto | £23,535 | - | - |
Model History
- March 2002: Second generation Citroen/Fiat/Peugeot MPV made its debut
- January 2008: New 2.2-litre HDi added to the range
March 2002
Second generation Citroen/Fiat/Peugeot MPV made its debut
All longer, taller and wider than the models they replace. Now 4,726mm (15' 6") long x 1,850mm (6' 1") wide. Citroen's is called simply the C8 and matches this with seating for up to eight passengers.
Features include automatic electric sliding rear side doors with really neat brushed alloy handles; sliding rear seats fitted with the Quickfix patented anchorage system for easy moving and removal; a huge number of storage compartments and cubby holes; air conditioning offering up to four independent climate zones (like the W211 MB E Class); the option of three electric tilt/slide sunroofs; foldaway mirror to enable the driver to keep an eye on passengers. The dashboard has a central instrument display, like the Picasso, Yaris and new Nissan Primera, and a seven inch information display monitor can be included.
Engine range includes 2.0 litre 110bhp HDI; the 2.0 litre 138bhp 16v petrol; the 2.2 litre 136bhp HDI; a brand new 2.2 litre 160bhp 16v petrol and (later) a 3.0 litre 208bhp petrol V6. Transmission options are Citroen's sequential auto adaptive 4-speed automatic or a five-speed manual. Safety equipment includes strong, reinforced body; electronic stability programme; ABS with EBD; six airbags; automatic low tyre pressure warning; and electronic parking assistance. All 7 passengers get a three-point belt with belt for centre row centre passenger built into seat back. Dealer fit option fo 3-seater rearmost bench, making it an 8 seater.
January 2008
New 2.2-litre HDi added to the range
As of January 2008, the C8 offers a new 2.2 HDi engine on its SX and Exclusive models, as well as a choice of two new metallic colours. The new 2.2 HDi engine offers 173 hp, and a massive 295 lb.ft of torque for effortless performance, with a top speed of 122 mph, 0 – 62 mph in 11.7 seconds and an out-of-town fuel consumption of 42.8 mpg and CO2 emissions of 191g/km, comfortably within tax band G.
The restyle incorporates chevrons at the front and rear, bringing them in line with other models in the Citroën family, as well as a new-look grille, additional exterior chrome inserts, plus dark tinted windows and tailgate on Exclusive models.
Inside are enhanced materials, soft-touch finishes and further chrome inserts for a polished look. Exclusive models also benefit from 16” Ispahan alloy wheels, leather seats as standard and front and rear parking sensors. Whilst SX models gain new seat trims, a leather steering wheel and gear lever knob, speed limiter and Cruise Control. LX models now boast an MP3 compatible stereo unit.
What to watch out for
On HDi, rubber cushioned timing belt pulley needs replacing at same time as timing belt (60k - 70k miles) otherwise can separate.
Seems to be a problem with front suspension balljoints failing and insufficient supplies of replacements.
Excessive rear tyre wear problem may be cured under warranty by replacing 15" whees with 16" wheels and lower profile tyres.
Old model 2.2 diesels have trouble with their particulate filters, especially when they run out of additive. Injectors prone to seizing into heads of 2.2 HDi, making repairs at upwards of £3,500 uneconomic.
Can be very troublesome. One C8 HDi auto used as a taxi needed a new engine at 30k miles, a new ECU, lost its PAS fluid, and had fuel injector trouble.
Water pumps are timing belt driven and can fail early. best not to push beyond 4 years or 60k miles, whichever comes first.
2002 - 2007 2.2 HDi prone to shredding its timing belt due to water ingress under the cambelt cover. If the belt fails and valves hit pistons the engine is irrepairable scrap. Seems that the injectors are virtually impossible to remove from the head
05-03-2011:Timing belts can snap at 45k miles. The handbook recommends to change at 100k. Very common problem. Design fault due to windscreen water draining onto the cam belt cover (not a sealed cover) therefore leading to contamination and consequent early deterioration of the belt. Citroen later provided a new "guttering design" with every C8 timing belt that is purchased and took responsibility for failed timing belts.
16-12-2011:Timing belt failed at 99,000 miles on fully Citroen serviced C8, and Citroen paid full parts and labour costs, even supplied a courtesy car during the repair. Obviously cannot pronise that all owners will be as well treated.
28-01-2013:News of a 79,000 mile 2004 Peugeot 807 Exec. SE suffering timing belt failure in Spain. Car was recovered back to the UK and Peugeot paid the full cost of the repair. Seems that Peugeot and Citroen are taking responsibility for a design fault on 807s and C8s whereby water ingress causes the problem.
