Skip advert
Advertisement
Long-term tests

Honda FR-V

Now just past the 10,000-mile mark, our Honda's fuel consumption has settled to around 35mpg

  • Punchy, refined diesel, slick gearshift, massive luggage space, clever centre chairstorage, easy-fold rear seats
  • Handbrake position, poor driver legroom, window controls on dash, limited rear visibility, irritating engine whine, flying road debris
Find your Honda FR-V
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car
Advertisement

Our long-term Honda has spent so much time at builders’ merchants, DIY sheds and the council dump recently, we might as well have slapped painter and decorator stickers on the side.

An extended holiday for some home renovation saw the FR-V in its element, switching effortlessly between workman’s wheels and teenager’s taxi. And the rear-seat layout can take a lot of the credit – pull three releases and the chairs fold flat. There’s no lifting bases, removing headrests or adjusting front seats – just tug and fold.

What’s more, the space left copes with pretty much anything. Even dumping a long living room carpet left seats for two in the front thanks to the neat centre chair. In fact, the only thing to defeat the Honda was a Rotax Junior kart, when I helped 14-year-old James Montgomery from Jersey get started in motorsport. We had to remove a few parts from the machine before it squeezed in.

Still, the interior is showing little evidence of all this heavy-duty use. The most noticeable sign is a slight elbow-sized dent in the driver’s armrest.

Despite my long break from the office, the miles have been climbing; the FR-V has now passed the 10,000-mile mark. Fuel consumption has settled around 35mpg – not bad for the swift and refined 2.2-litre i-CTDi diesel engine, which is a real star.

The unit is flexible enough to keep gearchanges to a minimum in town, but has plenty of urge for when the roads open up. Our only gripe is an irritating whine – it’s become more obvious in the warm weather as we’ve had the windows down.

Now I’m back in the office, I’ve been enjoying the ultimate park and ride – Honda’s FR-V and SH125 scooter. The 40-mile motorway section of my daily commute takes around an hour, before switching to two wheels for the final 12 miles – completed in around 30 minutes. The combination cuts more than half an hour from my rush-hour journey time. And there’s money to be saved, too, as the SH125 is averaging around 90mpg, plus there’s no congestion charge or parking to pay...

Yet while the scooter has cut out the hassle, there have been a couple of niggles on the FR-V. The rear wiper worked loose, although this was fixed during one of the four visits to the dealer for the faulty CD changer to be replaced. A side panel was keyed while the car was parked, too, but worse still was a rock or bolt thrown up from a car in front, which gouged the roof and driver’s door. Shame it can’t be repaired with Polyfilla and emulsion; I’ve had a lot of practice with them lately.

I borrowed the FR-V recently, and although its powerful diesel made for comfortable motorway cruising, the light, vague steering was a little disconcerting. Even at higher speeds, it doesn’t seem to weight up significantly, so you’re always searching for the straight ahead position. Still, I can’t think of many cars which let you fold the rear seats to accommodate a couple of bikes and still have enough room for three adults.
Marc Mustard, staff writer

Skip advert
Advertisement
Products editor

Kim has worked for Auto Express for more than three decades and all but a year of that time in the Products section. His current role as products editor involves managing the section’s content and team of testers plus doing some of the tests himself. 

Our latest car deals

Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £31,535Avg. savings £3,985 off RRP*Compare Offers
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,080Avg. savings £3,600 off RRP*Compare Offers
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £18,395Avg. savings £2,695 off RRP*Compare Offers
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £21,210Avg. savings £1,862 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

MG 5 electric estate reaches the end of the road
MG5 EV - front tracking

MG 5 electric estate reaches the end of the road

The MG 5 will disappear from sale in 2025 as the model is deemed surplus to requirements
News
6 Dec 2024
What car should you buy? The answer is generally whichever Skoda best suits your needs
Opinion - Skoda Enyaq

What car should you buy? The answer is generally whichever Skoda best suits your needs

Paul Barker explains the perils facing any petrolhead this Xmas. Do your friends and family want advice – or your approval?
Opinion
5 Dec 2024
Suicidally, Jaguar is opening the door for Tesla and BYD to pick off the best of its dealerships
Opinion - Jaguar

Suicidally, Jaguar is opening the door for Tesla and BYD to pick off the best of its dealerships

Mike Rutherford thinks it's been a difficult few months for the British car industry
Opinion
8 Dec 2024