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Honda is a company that doesn’t like to follow the crowd. So, while it competes in most of the traditional sectors of the car market, in each case it does something a little bit different.

The Jazz, for example, might look like just another rival to Britain’s best-selling car, the Ford Fiesta, but it’s actually much more practical than its rivals, with a flexible boot and Tardis-like interior.

The bigger Civic is also a practical choice, but it’s mainly distinguished by having eye-catching, love-it-or-hate-it styling, despite competing in a sector of the market that’s usually more conservative than a blue rosette.

And while it may not seem so radical now, Honda’s large SUV, the CR-V, was one of the first to forego any pretence of being an off-roader and instead focus on on-road driving dynamics.

HONDA

FR-V

Quirky but effective MPV that copes well with family life

Used Honda FR-V MPV 2004 - 2009

If you want a six-seater, the Fiat Multipla will be cheaper to buy and run. And, many mainstream seven-seaters will also cost less than the FR-V, but then this is a high-quality people carrier full of everything that's great about Hondas. So it's not the cheapest, but it is good value.

Talking of which, it will hold its value better than most, which means the overall whole-life cost won't be high as the initially high purchase price suggests. You won't pay that much at the pumps, either. The 1.7 is good for an impressive official average of 37.7mpg and the 2.2 diesel extends that to 44.8mpg. Even the 2.0 gives you 33.6mpg.

Insurance premiums (group 9-12 depending on model) should be similar to those of a Ford S-Max or Galaxy. Service costs are likely to be cheaper than a Renault Scenic's, about the same as the Fords' and dearer than a VW Touran.

Quirky but effective MPV that copes well with family life

The 1.7 petrol will be the least expensive to buy and has enough puff most of the time, but the 2.0 petrol is easier to find, and a more flexible, relaxed cruiser. These two petrols were replaced in early 2007 by a responsive, free-revving 1.8 during a mild face-lift (darker chrome grille, metal/carbon-like cabin trim rather than wood).

The 2.2 turbodiesel is worth considering for its extra low-down muscle. It's an excellent engine and sips fuel slowly, but you'll have to pay a lot more for the privilege of owning one rather than one of the petrols.

There's no need to go beyond SE trim - unless you want more than six airbags, electric windows all round, alarm, air-con, and a CD player. Sport trim throws in alloy wheels, cruise control and front foglamps.

Any car with the low-cost Honda Happiness servicing package is worth tracking down. This was an optional extra when the car was new and gives five years/62,500 miles of free servicing. It's transferable to subsequent owners.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of space for all the family and their paraphernalia</li> <li>Comfortable ride for everyone inside</li> <li>Seats with plenty of adjustment and versatility of layout</li> <li>Engine that can cope with a full load of people and luggage</li> <li>Excellent efficiency to avoid big fuel bills</li></ul>

Practicality is king in the MPV market, which has taken a hit as buyers have turned towards trendier SUVs. There are still plenty of decent offerings to suit most budgets, though, with Citroën fielding a particularly strong line-up. The French manufacturer’s Berlingo offers bags of space for not much money and you can easily haggle off thousands of extra pounds in discounts, too.

Citroën also scores with the larger Grand C4 Spacetourer, which offers seven seats, lots of oddment space and appealing running costs for something so large. A similarly priced and even better option is the Volkswagen Touran. Meanwhile, if you prefer a premium badge, there's always the BMW 2 Series Active and Gran Tourers or Mercedes B-Class and V-Class.

But for something sizeable that's still decent to drive, we’d recommend you check out the Ford Galaxy, which can offer three rows of seats and decent luggage space at the same time. It’s not that much pricier than the smaller S-Max.

The FR-V has a pretty faultless reliability record. That shouldn't come as a shock because Hondas fare well in customer satisfaction reports, such as the JD Power survey, and they're among the least likely to develop faults, according to Warranty Direct.

We're unaware of any major mechanical problems and the build quality suggests the FR-V is made to go the distance. Even so, give the cabin and load bay a thorough examination for signs of a heavy-handed family or over-exuberant load-carrying.

Watch out for damage to the body, particularly parking scrapes and dings. If it isn't perfect, keep looking - you'll find plenty that are. Watch out for kerbed wheels and uneven tyre wear, too - they may indicate that the suspension has been knocked out of alignment, so ensure the car doesn't pull to one side when you test drive it.

The FR-V, like the Fiat Multipla, has six seats in two rows of three. Its high-quality cabin is stacked with all the kit you need to make the family feel safe and pampered. You're a little short on storage space, however, and the centrally mounted controls are a bit of a stretch for the driver. The stereo and heating controls are fiddly, too.

Still, the driving position is good and the dash-mounted gearlever is easy to use. Even though the middle front seat slides back, shoulder room is tight with three adults on board. However, none of them will complain about their leg- or headroom.

The FR-V is a rewarding drive and cruises quietly, apart from some wind noise. All engines are strong, willing and smooth, and the wide body helps give sure-footed handling. You won't notice most bumps, either.

Used Honda FR-V MPV 2004 - 2009 reliability

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Used Honda FR-V MPV 2004 - 2009 review

The FR-V has a pretty faultless reliability record. That shouldn't come as a shock because Hondas fare well in customer satisfaction reports, such as the JD Power survey, and they're among the least likely to develop faults, according to Warranty Direct.,We're unaware of any major mechanical problems and the build quality suggests the FR-V is made to go the distance. Even so, give the cabin and load bay a thorough examination for signs of a heavy-handed family or over-exuberant load-carrying.,Watch out for damage to the body, particularly parking scrapes and dings. If it isn't perfect, keep looking - you'll find plenty that are. Watch out for kerbed wheels and uneven tyre wear, too - they may indicate that the suspension has been knocked out of alignment, so ensure the car doesn't pull to one side when you test drive it.

What to look for when buying a Honda FR-V 2004 - 2009, covering common problems to check for and overall vehicle reliability.

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