USED Honda FR-V MPV (04 - 09)

My car

Reason for Good rather than V Good Rating is the following:

It is really nice to drive & useful for large items due to folding seats, however... 1 - Lack of storage space, had more in the HRV owned previously - the glove box is small, the Door storage is low & things fall out - should have the higher stringy, stretchy bit to keep books / items in. The Cup holder in front is too wide & water bottles fall out. 2 - The rear wiper does not go across the whole window, especially on the Driver's side! It should clean the whole window for safety! 3 - The central back seat belt is set too high that it cuts across the neck a little but this is a minor thing as it is three way so more secure? 4 - View in the front when taking corners is slightly obstructed.

My car

We have had this car for four-and-a-half months now and we like it a lot. There have been no problems so far (as with all Hondas I have owned). It is very practical and comfortable; the seats are excellent, there's lots of room in the back and I think the boot is an excellent size for an MPV. There are lots and lots of seat folding combinations.

I am over 6 feet tall, and found it no problem sitting in the front middle seat for a one-and-a-half hour journey recently. The view through the rear window is a bit odd, but you get used to it.

I think the dealer should get some credit as well. We sold our one-year old Audi A3 to get the Honda (our new baby had arrived) and the Honda dealer blew the socks off the Audi one in every department. The £330 service deal is a must.

While the 2.2 diesel engine is better to drive than the 2.0 petrol (the one I test drove) I am not impressed with the economy. It is currently returning around 35mpg - very poor for a diesel. My Octavia 2.0 diesel gives 50mpg even when thrashed and it's much quicker than the Honda 2.2 engine. Obvously the Honda is heavier but I think it is still poor - goodness knows how bad the petrol mpg must be.

One final gripe. Why on earth must I be stuck with the naff fake wood dashboard when the cheaper SE one has a great-looking gloss black one?

Overall, it's a great car.

My car

I bought my FR-V Sport new in March 2005. Having had a CR-V for three years, I thought that I would be in for a similar package. It's not.

The plus points are the fuel economy versus the CR-V, I managed to average around 35mpg. The handling is excellent, as is the climate control and build quality.

However, the big downside for me was comfort. Honda seems to have crammed three seats across the front in a package the same width as the Ford C-Max. I found the driver's seat to be too narrow and unsupportive. The seat base was far too short for my chunky thighs! It felt like sitting on a stool.

My seat base doesn't fully rise up and down either - only the back rises, which feels as though I'm being tipped out of the seat.

If you are considering buying one, take a full day's test drive to see if you can get on with the seats. I couldn't.

My car

Good points:

Driving - stable and responsive (the kids don't throw up anymore). Lights - good night-time visibility. Climate control - good on cold and hot days. Switchgear very good - metal where others might put plastic. Stereo (surprisingly good).

Best points:

Able to accommodate 6 average-sized people in comfort... and provides space for plenty of luggage

Poor points:

Position of driver's switchgear for electric windows - could be better to hand. Rear visibility very poor but assisted by parking sensors (nearly a necessity).

Questionable points: Performance isn't bad but needs plenty of revs for good go. Fuel economy could be better (what's the point of a sixth gear that can be used at 30mph?).

On a final point - and this to Jeremy Clarkson - boring, perhaps... but wide, I don't think so - the Mercedes S class is 55mm wider, the disco a significant 105mm wider, even the Mondeo is a touch wider (2mm for those that want to know) and the VW Touran is only 16mm less wide. Still I suppose it's all a matter of perspective, eh Jeremy.

In summary, if you want a car that seats 6 average size people in comfort and with plenty of space to put the shopping then the FRV should be on your shortlist.