GOD MADE ME CHUNKY (some text hidden) --NONE--

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

Introductionword count: 117

Okay, so the Honda FR-V may not score in terms of outright originality, Fiat doing the whole two rows of three abreast seating thing years before the FR-V was ever launched. Still, like many Japanese companies before it, Honda's genius has been in taking an unconventional and unformed design and turning it into a very appealing, reliable and practical production reality. The FR-V proved a quiet success for Honda following its introduction and used models are now available if you're prepared to spend a little time tracking down your exact specification. They're usually very well looked after and this, coupled with Honda's reputation for mechanical reliability, makes the FR-V one of the best mini-MPV used buys around.

Modelsword count: 13

Models Covered: 5 dr mini-MPV [1.7, 1.8, 2.0 petrol, 2.2 diesel (SE, Sport]

Historyword count: 267

Perhaps describing the seating arrangement of Honda's FR-V mini-MPV as novel is pushing things a little bit far. After all, countless American barges of the fifties featured three abreast seating and Honda were even beaten to the punch in the mini-MPV arena by Fiat's quirky Multipla. Matra Simca's Bagheera sports car of the Seventies even featured a trio of seats across the car. Despite this, it's hard to think of many manufacturers who can match Honda for their sheer, relentless output of good ideas. The FR-V may not be the first six-seater in the market but it might just be the cleverest. It was introduced at a time when the mini-MPV market was just maturing after its initial growth phase and smarter, slicker offerings such as the second generation Toyota Corolla Verso and Vauxhall Zafira were either being launched or were in their final development stages. Against increasingly tough rivals like these, Honda needed a car that offered a wider appeal than their existing Stream MPV, a model that keen drivers were enamoured to but which failed to really penetrate the mainstream market. What they needed was a hook, something that would differentiate their new model from the majority of the burgeoning mini-MPV contenders and they found it in the FR-V's interesting seating arrangement. Two engines were offered from the November 2004 launch - 1.7 or 2.0-litre petrol engines with the lauded 2.2-litre i-CTDI diesel powerplant following later in 2005. In late 2006, the 1.7 and 2.0-litre petrol engines were replaced by a single 140PS 1.8-litre unit. There were also minor trim changes made outside and inside.

What You Getword count: 457

The FRV is chunkily good-looking in a way few mini-MPVs manage to pull off. The rising waistline gives it a wedge-like profile and the big rear light clusters and kinked line from bonnet into A-pillar are both deft styling touches. Based on the platform of the CR-V 4x4, the FR-V instead directs drive to the front wheels and a new flat floor has been developed that's a good deal wider than the CR-V's base. It's not quite as sporting in its feel as the Stream but the FR-V feels a good deal more modern, especially where cabin design is concerned. The dashboard is a curious mixture of traditional clocks in a cowled binnacle and a decidedly avant-garde centre console with an infotainment screen and a gearlever sprouting from the dashboard. At first, it looks a bit of a clash of styles but it's actually very practical insofar as Honda have taken the best bits of analogue and digital display formats and have combined them to good effect. The handbrake takes a little while to get used to but forward visibility is excellent. The chubby rear pillars make three quarter visibility a little less happy. As would be expected from a contemporary Honda, the FR-V doesn't skimp on standard safety features. All six seats have three-point belts while the centre front seat and both outer rear seats feature ISOFIX child seat fixings. Full length curtain airbags provide overall cabin protection and there are also twin front and side bags fitted. The seating system aids safety with the central front seat sliding 270mm further back than the outer pair, Honda recommending that the seat is put in this position when being used to seat a child. As far as accommodation goes, the FR-V is a tight squeeze if you attempt to fit six blokes in it but it can cope at a pinch, so as to speak. Where it comes into its own is in offering the typical family of four or five room to spread out a little. Unlike many people carriers, the FR-V manages to rustle up some useful luggage space. The three rear seats all fold individually and also fold flat into the floor with one swift action which makes the FR-V a boon for those that want to pursue a few kid-free lifestyle activities at the weekends. This also means that you don't need to risk a herniated disc lugging the things into your garage. The centre front seat also folds flat to make room for long items to form a table. There's even a seat cushion extension with a storage drawer hidden beneath. Honda claims that the front seats can be folded to form a bed, although this seems a bit of a stretch.

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