2007 Honda FR-V 2.2 CTDi turbo diesel from UK and Ireland
Summary:
A pleasure not a chore, a wise choice. :-)
Faults:
Not much. Usual wear and tear items - had to replace rear brake drums and pads all round, but I am doing 500 miles per week average commute, so expected.
Need to keep an eye on oil consumption with the 2.2 CDTi.
The car is very good as a family all purpose vehicle. Easy to drive, relative quick / economical, I get a steady 45 MPG if I take it easy; then again, I have a steady commute every day with some motorway involved.
Boot could be bigger, but generally it is fine for all our kit (family of 5). We've taken it to France twice with no problems.
Fuel tank could be bigger?
Storage / cubby holes... there were more in the VW Touran for oddments... but overall the FR-V is much better.
General Comments:
Excellent. Very reliable. Especially so compared to my previous 2006 VW Touran 2.0TD DSG - what a joke. I bought it for supposed German build quality and reliability. Big bill after big bill... Last thing to go wrong was at 75000 miles; the DSG Mechatronic unit intermittently giving up, leaving us stranded on a couple of occasions, so lost my patience (VW quoted £3500 to get it fixed)... yeah right.
Luckily I got a got £4k p/x against the used Honda FR-V. Very glad I made the switch. Comfortable on long trips; flexible seats, wider than the Touran, just as fast, just as economical and reliable, reliable... oh did I say it was reliable?
Pop-up third seat / front arm-rest / storage unit - great thoughtful option - really works well. Kids love traveling in this seat between mum and dad!
Full size spare hurrah (Touran didn't have one: Boo!)
I totally dig reliability now with my family / work use, so I love this Honda to bits! Happy daddy! Happy mummy! We got another Honda after this buy... a nice hybrid! Woo-hoo!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 25th August, 2012
11th Jul 2009, 05:07
40,000 mile update: Nothing to report of any note.
My son pulled one of the pieces of plastic trim off the rear middle seat, but it clipped back on easily. Two tiny rust bubbles on the tailgate were dealt with under warranty by the excellent local dealers.
Fuel consumption has improved and now averages 48mpg driven sensibly, over 51 being gentle on long motorway runs and as low as 44 (!) driven briskly whilst laden with 4 people plus holiday gear. This is pretty good for a full size 6 seater.