Honda FR-V

Quick Summary Recommended. Funky alternative to mainstream people-carriers with innovative three-abreast seating front and rear. Full Road Test For people concerned that buying a people carrier marks the end of their motoring life as anything more than A-to-B drudgery, Honda's suggested solution is the compellingly strange FR-V. Behind the slightly piggy-faced styling lies a fine, adaptable car. And although the three-abreast seating position doesn't work as well as the usual 2-3-2 of a seven-seat MPV, the FR-V is well adapted to family use. The boxy design is appropriate to the Honda's utilitarian purpose. The cabin is more confused thanks to a strange match of fabrics and materials, plus a fairly cluttered dashboard layout. The offset driving position also reveals the compromises inherent in three-abreast seating, although there's plenty of room for rear seat occupants and the boot is generously proportioned too. On the road the FR-V's case improves further. This is one of the best of the current crop of MPVs to drive, thanks to decent roadholding, communicative steering and an impressively taut chassis. More importantly, it's also comfortable at cruising speeds, shrugging off motorways and longer journeys. The most basic 1.7 litre petrol engine will struggle with bigger loads, although the 2.0 litre unit is brawnier. But most demand will be for the excellent 2.2 litre CTDi turbodiesel engine, which gives the FR-V a real turn of speed.

Verdict On Cars | November 29, 2006

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