Skip advert
Advertisement

Honda FR-V

If you want a lean body and a six-pack, you'd have to spend hours at the gym. Alternatively, you could visit your local Honda dealer, where the all-new FR-V goes on sale in November.

Honda hasn't launched a bad car this century, and more than maintains its clean sheet with the FR-V. The six-seater represents superb value for money and offers a decent driving experience, while its practicality rivals the best in the class. The only downside is the lack of a diesel, but this will be rectified early next year when the Accord's 2.2-litre oil-burner arrives.

Advertisement - Article continues below

If you want a lean body and a six-pack, you'd have to spend hours at the gym. Alternatively, you could visit your local Honda dealer, where the all-new FR-V goes on sale in November.

Honda's six-seat entry into the mini-MPV market is smaller than the seven-person Stream, and cheaper, too, start- ing at £14,750. But does it give the family value promised by the price tag?

This £16,400 2.0-litre Sport range-topper is still less expensive than many rivals. For that you get power windows, climate and cruise control, alloys and foglamps. It uses the 148bhp engine from the Civic Type S, mated to a six-speed box. Although the FR-V claims full MPV capabilities, it is only slightly larger than the Civic, with a lower cabin than most rivals. Yet despite the compact dimensions, it is very spacious. Six seats are arranged in two rows of three and slide forward and back individually. Middle chair elbow room is slightly cramped, but small passengers will be fine.

The dash has two fold-out cubbies, an air-conditioned glovebox and a small chilled storage box. We also like the central three-abreast cup-holder. The rear is equally well planned and gives good legroom, while the three chairs can be folded by pulling a cord. Tumbled into the floor, they give a huge load bay.

It's all very clever - but how does the FR-V fare on the road? The iVTEC engine is certainly responsive, although it performs best with full use of the rev range. The dash-mounted six-speed gear- shifter is a joy to use, and the assured handling gives good grip. Unfortunately, the power-steering lacks feel and will put off keen drivers, while the ride is jittery on less-than-perfect surfaces.

Otherwise, Honda's well thought-out and superbly engineered family car is the perfect six-pack it sets out to be. But if the FR-V is beyond your means, then we're afraid that only the gym'll fix it...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Our latest car deals

Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £31,535Avg. savings £3,985 off RRP*Compare Offers
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,155Avg. savings £2,485 off RRP*Compare Offers
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,080Avg. savings £3,600 off RRP*Compare Offers
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £29,735Avg. savings £5,267 off RRP*Compare Offers
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: new MG4 long-range EV for a ridiculously low price
MG4 - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: new MG4 long-range EV for a ridiculously low price

The MG4 is one of our favourite EVs on account of its sheer value for money. It’s our Deal of the Day for 11 December
News
11 Dec 2024
New Mercedes CLA will do 800 miles with just 20 minutes of charging
Mercedes CLA prototype - full front action

New Mercedes CLA will do 800 miles with just 20 minutes of charging

Cutting-edge charging tech and a slippery body allow the new Mercedes CLA to cover over 1,000km with two brief stops
News
13 Dec 2024
Extreme Renault 5 Turbo 3E will be built! Limited production run for 500bhp, rear-drive EV
Renault 5 Turbo 3E - front

Extreme Renault 5 Turbo 3E will be built! Limited production run for 500bhp, rear-drive EV

Outrageous electrified hot hatch gets the green light, with supercar performance and £100k-plus price tag
News
13 Dec 2024