2008 Honda FR-V Goes for a Drive - Modern Monday
The Honda FR-V was one of the few, sorry two, MPVs to offer a 6 seater twin row solution.
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The dafties at Honda cost themselves many £00000's by not keeping this model going. I bought one from new in 2005 , had it for nearly 15 years. Would have bought another one (sooner) , but they had stopped making them 🤔🤷♂️ So many days/months/years spent in this amazing car. Best car I ever bought. In fact one of the best things I ever bought. So practical. Lugged so much stuff ... from complete Ikea kitchen packs/garden slabs x10's /sofas/ washing machines/cookers/camping stuff,etc. This review didn't show the true vastness of the car when the rear seats were folded (flat!!) down. I had the 2.2CDTi which pulled things along so easily. When travelling with people it was also brilliant. With 2 other people (3 in the front) , it was just SO sociable. Long journeys were almost fun ! Even with the middle seat down e.g. 4 in the car it was just so much more open. If you had young ones in the back , it was so easy to pass things through to them as the middle gap was just so big with the middle seat down. Also , even for a solo driver, the middle seat down makes a great armrest. Almost like sitting on a sofa. This car is a classic and I still have big nostalgia twinges when I see one on the road .....
We've had our 2.2 diesel since 2010 and are SO reluctant to let it go. We have taken it across Europe five-up (UK to Italy and back) numerous times, and it is armchair cruising. After 175,000 miles the engine is still sweet. Road tax is expensive and there's no residual value, but will probably use it as my coffin.
😂
Always had a soft spot for these, not sure why!
Nick Wills because in the galaxy of minivans shitboxes, it is the only one with the multipla which was cleverly thought but adding honda reliability and built quality ?
Me too, I have a jazz but I prefer the looks of this car
Honda’s of this era have aged phenomenally
Fr
This one is my chikdhood car 😢missed it 2005 til 2020
Always like seeing the packaging for these Japanese MPV's. In Japan they've got a load of models across multiple brands (Kei size and larger) and they're all different but practical
Thanks for sharing our car, this is the best family car we have owned, so practical! We love going camping and having all 3 of us in the front and all the seats down means we have huge amounts of space!
Thanks for the loan! Why take a tent, just sleep in the back!
Ditto this!
Had mine since 2013 and it's been great at lugging my family around as well as load carrying with rear seats down. As noted, front visibility is great but the large A posts are a problem you need to be aware of, it is possible to lose pedestrians and cyclists behind them so you find yourself dancing between windscreen and side window to check when turning. Personally I think rear visibility is poor and you can't park it with confidence without the park sensors. The handbrake is a bit of a faff. You get used to it but will never love it. The six speed box, as noted, is slick and the gear stick well positioned. It needs to be though as you'll be making use of it with the vtec which you'll need to rev a bit for performance at speed. It does handle well overall but is understeery at low speed. Trade off is the back end is planted. One thing you missed, you can actually recline the front middle seat using the same strap you use to fold it flat! 🙂 And that's the best review I've seen done of the car, full of information and realistic. You can pick them up dirt cheap now and there are few major faults, although many are suffering from rust on the rear wheel arches.
Agreed ,I've had mine(2 litre petrol) 6 years now and the rear arches are starting to go🙄 it has been a great family car and still is! just a shame honda ceased production probably didn't shift the numbers they were hoping for so pulled the plug on them.
I've had this for a few years. Mine is a 2006 model. It runs very well. There's been very little repair work needed. Went from Zafira to this and I prefer this in so many ways. It drives very well. It's got a nice look. There's 3 isofix seats. I have removed a couple of headrests for better view in the rear. I've slept in this car! You can position the front seems virtually in full recline position. I have made many trips down south, up to Liverpool and lots of days out in Wales and beaches across the UK. There's loads of space. The IKEA Ivar side unit measures at 50×226 cm. I had no issues fitting in several in my car whilst still being left with lots of space. There's boot room for pushchair, cooler box, hand luggage all at once. Visually the only minor complaint I have is the bumper (under the headlights) looking at it front on. It's very bulky otherwise it's got a nice sporty look. Nice review and would recommend for a young family with 2-3 children. Only the road tax is expensive on my older model. I see lots of these cars on the road in my area. Still seems popular.
As a long term FR-V owner /K20a version/, I say this is a good piece of review if not the best one I seen, enjoyable to watch like to live with the FR-V
Ist that the classic K20 engine, the tuners love so much?
The FRV is K20A9 an economy-focused version, so its not the K20a2 you probably are talking about, never the less seen few of these modified into R-type like or K24+20 or even with turbo.
"...Large Families, Siamese Twins, Mormons..." that' is GOLD Matt! The FR-V ended production in 2011 without a direct successor. Wonder why? Bwahahahahahaha... Love your work Matt. Where else would we go for a drive in this! So look forwards to the next interesting thing the world forgot. (or is trying to forget)
Who knows, maybe the next one will be something people have heard of?
@@furiousdriving I hope not. Loving the whacky stuff!
@@furiousdriving Allegro Vanden Plas?
@@furiousdriving Alfa 75 maybe?
Love this car. The positions of the gear shifter and parking brake are similar to the ones of the 2CV. Extremely practical and ergonomic.
Great review. Bought a new one 1.8 Executive in 2007. Sold it a few months ago. 270.000 Km. I had zero problems. Loved the push in the back around 4200rpm to almost 7000rpm. Honda builds high quality cars.
Bought one of this in april this year 1.8 auto has 164k miles and still going strong.. very smooth to drive
I'm an unabashed fan of the Multipla but I gotta give the FR-V credit for looking properly good, not just quirky/iconic. Imo one of the most handsome small MPVs ever made
What an amazing car. Honda, or is it the buying public, have really lost their way. They don't seem to have these innovative cars in their line up these days. I used to buy my next car when the current car had worn out. In 2006 I bought a Honda CRV and ...... I am still running it in 2020.
The FIAT 500X 7-seat crossover SUV has sold more per annum than the modern era FIAT Multipla ever did IIRC. Car makers are risk averse and in the business of actually selling cars, so I guess between the conservative preferences of buyers, and risk-averse decision making of auto makers, that tells you all you need to know. :)
This car is the definition of the engineer's answer to a problem. So clever.
You were spot on pretty much. VSA - Vehicle Stability Assist. These were very nice little MPV's. They were dropped too early I thought.
I had a multipla and absolutely loved it. We need more cars in this configuration, they are great for families.
Agree completely and if they still built the Multipla, I would buy one tomorrow. Amazing wing mirrors and massive boot. Should never have been dropped. They just didn't sell enough I suppose. No sell, no money.
@@seancooke4127 Can't really speak to the sales numbers, anecdotally there was a time when you used to see them around quite often (still do) but I think the overall package just came to the end of its life., not a bad production run 15 years though. The 500L 7 seater seemed to me to lose both the visual appeal of the 500 and the practicality of the multipla, it was no replacement. I know I'm preaching to the choir a bit here but if they did an updated version using fiats current design language and modern tech but using the same basic formula it would be my next car.
@@tbrasc0 I have driven a 500L hire car in Italy. It was a 5 seater and had a 1.6 turbo diesel with 6 speed manual. Drove really well and was roomy and practical, great infotainment screen. Even the 7seater could never equal the everyday versatility of a Multipla. Not a bad car in any way, just different, great on the motorway and a wee mountain goat with the 1.6 diesel. The 500X looks good but what is it for?
A funky car, love the manual gear lever high up on the dash,
We have a Diesel FR-V. Had it since new in 2009. Done 145K and, apart from W-a-T items (which you would replace on any vehicle, tyres, brakes, blades etc...) and a heater fan we got second hand off a well-known auction website, it has been good as gold. The car is still on the original clutch, exhaust, shocks and wheel bearings. When we bought ours, it was one of only 5 left in the country. AFAIK, the last examples were registered on a 10 plate.
Ive always had a soft spot for these, very neat and compact! And the tea shelf acreage is by far the best on any car yet haha. Love it. Great video Matt
Bit of a hidden gem, not many seem to know about them
I drove one of these with over 200,000 miles on the clock and it still drove spot on, a good car 🚗
Very sensible car. The only reason to have an SUV over something like this is to stroke your ego, or compensate for lack of reproductive organs? Very Citroenesque too, which is always a good thing.
Ran a 59 reg EX diesel for 9 1/2 years. Loved it - nothing ever went wrong and the 3 + 3 layout is perfect for those of us unfortunate enough to have 3 kids. Not exactly sexy, though! 😀
I really like this! I thought this was a Mazda 5, looked in the interior, thought Honda Fit, but absolutely shocked to see this! Another reason why I like your channel, and vehicles in the UK 🇬🇧, unique vehicles that we never sold in the US 🇺🇸! Bravo Matt !
Always try to bring something different!
@@furiousdriving You always seem to bring it on! Now, I just spotted a Triumph Stag locally again, this time with the convertible top up. If you can find one in the UK 🇬🇧, THAT would be a major find, especially if it is all original! I took photos, and the vanity plates are LRDLUCAS!
Can’t ever say I’ve noticed one of these, nice leather seats and a decent people carrier . Honda do know how to make a good engine. Nice video.
Great practical and functional cars. Was looking at one last year when we needed a new car, decided against as it was abit too family sized for me! Went with a Toyota Avensis in the end, glad I did because it’s a great car with enough room. If you’re after a 6 seater though, it’s a brilliant choice.
My mum had one of these, and it was amazing for transporting, I rember when I had a motorcycle break down and we had to remove the wheels but we managed to fit the motorcycle in the back of her car, we also got sofas fridges and anything else we could think of, the frv was literally a family van. She sold the car after 160,000 miles, it had and engine baring start to faile.... standard stuff and she allways drove it at low rpm almost lugging it but she got great mpg... unfortunately at the cost of predetonation. But the car is still around today and running after it was sold to a mechanic who fixed the issue. Naturally we all know this car will still be around another 160k as its a honda diesel, I'll allways have a love for these cars from spending my childhood in long journeys and holidays, and learning to drive in it. They will allways be one of the best cars in history
2.2 diesel has been great for us, five years with lots of urban trips, foreign holidays, and beyond regular servicing the only issues have been binding rear calipers and injector seals blowing. And since the injectors don't weld into the head, that's no big deal. Really impressive car.
Love the middle seat tea shelf - you could put a full on teapot on there!
I am getting an 09 frv now with 70k miles. Only issue with these is that their interior cloth would get damaged easily, except the leather ones, which I don't like, stands out too much...but this car is so beastly...inside and out...the practicality is what's needed these days...a solid 9/10...great review...
Currently learning to drive in my dad's 2009 FRV and I love it
Just got me one of these. And so far, I'm impressed. Same colour, too.
Had a 2 liter 6 speed in this blue colour - loved it! Would probably still be driving it but for one thing: the front seats whilst fine for round town was quite short under the legs and made both mine and my wife's hips ache on long journeys. We got a Crv instead which was more comfortable and had a huge boot, but I would prefer another FRV with better seats.
This car was ahead of its time. If it came out now in a more Suv/Crossover version OOOHHH It sell so flippen fast.
These look very practical and comfy to drive. Love the gearstick. Wouldnt be the same without that huge rear wiper, even more quirky :D
Good review,I had one of these great practical cars a nice I think it was called grape White but basically a gold. It was perfect for us because I had three girls and 2of them were twins so we had to separate them from beating up their older sister 🤣so she sat at the front with me for years which was great. Just a shame she eventually got too big and a little tip don't put the drink holders out on the front when you got an excited kid in the car what was jump up and stand on it. 🤣Loved the build quality I loved the leather it was luxury for me I've never had a decent leather seat before or metal switches. Very versatile with the pram shopping and even getting bikes in the car it was so sad that Honda stop making this 6 seats makes so much sense even like the gear change up on the dash. Hope it comes back one day it was another quirky hit from Honda🤣👍it was my shooting brake....
Fair play to Honda for coming up with this Multipla competitor, it's a well executed piece of design.
I really like these, had an Accord of a similar vintage. Wonder and comfortable drive but a petrol auto she was a little thirsty. Reliability was 2nd to none, 172k and only wearing parts. Awesome review as always.
Great review! Just biught a used one and after seeing this it pretty much answered most of my questions :-)
always preferred the Multipla however. Having said that the FR-V and the Multipla had two classic TG quotes. In the mag the described the face lift that grafted a much less interesting face on the Multipla as " an act of corporate vandalism" and on the programme James May said that the saddest sight was the wife driving the FR-V with two kids in the two front seat and Dad alone in the rear sending out the signal " you gave me the two kids I wanted now get in the rear"....much schoolboy giggling ensued
Having 4 kids-we bought the 2l 2005 one, brilliant in every way and really fun to drive.The only draw back for us was when the kids got bigger, the shoulders rubbed more and the bickering increased but still a really great solid strong reliable car.i think Honda used very high quality steel as it never received any car par dings from other car doors
Thickness and shape of the metal, not quality. Shape is extremely important for structural properties.
That's a lot more interesting than I was expecting!
Nice video Matt. I think they put the window buttons on the dash to make the doors flatter and consequently to have more knee room.
Yes that makes perfect sense
I miss my FR-V, an incredible car for picnics!
Morning. One of those cars that could start a new trend but failed without reason. Like the well known Multipla. The Honda is actually still good looking after all those years.
Everyone remembers the Fiat as it was ..striking... which was good as it got noticed but bad was it killed the idea
I'm happy with my FRV, bit thump over bumps and as other posters have said, thick A pillars but reversing I find easy due to the short rear overhang. My 2.2 diesel regularly gets 60+ causing on the motorway, and is equally happy chugging around town for 45+. A great load lugger for family or dump runs. Not great ergonomics and yes, that handbrake is a perfect opportunity for an electric one! Still takes people by surprise with the "Oh, it's a six seater!" I've gone through 2 alternators which has been annoying and expensive but could be worse. Would be a great platform for an all electric vehicle ... come on Honda!!!
Always interested me these did. FYI the Mazda 5 is a 6 seater, 3 rows of 2
Great video! Do you think two people could sleep in the back with the back seats folded/removed and the front seats pushed all the forward/folded down? We're both about 170cm/5foot7. Cheers!
Hi Matt,nice review on the Honda FR-V looks very similar to a MPV,it does beat mine with heated seats and 3 seats at the front.in all it's a nice car.
I was today years old when I learned that this car existed. Did Honda...like, probe my brain to design my ideal car? Because they kinda did--and they can go choke on dirt for not making it available in the United States. But really--this is an awesome car and I want one.
Sucks for you
Nick Kennedy hah I always liked seeing these in European travels, American car market sucks
The girl with the severed head promo photo.
You’ve given me the baby now get in the back
I currently have a fiat multipla, but it's on its last legs, so an FRV it will be. Nice drive through Loose btw.
Very enjoyable as always Matt. Would love to see the Mitsubishi Spacewagon from 1991-1998 going for a drive..
Properly practical car, 3 plus 3 is a great configuration because you get a decent boot space. Being a FIAT man though, I'm always going to say I'd always chose the Multipla. More practical as you can actually fully lift out the seats giving van like load space and who can't love those frog eye headlights. The FRV is nicely trimmed though, more toys than a Multipla but no twin sunroofs. It will be further on the development time line though as Honda did have 6 years extra to make their copy.
Great video. Wasn’t this car discontinued in mid 2009? I was surprised when you said 2004 to 2011 as I just bought a 59 plate thinking it was the last year of production.
What an interesting car. Nicely functional . I wish we got them in the USA.
To sell it In the North America market it must have awd and higher ground clearance and a 2.4L I4 and 3.0L V6
I totally agree! Everything Matt mentioned, especially the gear lever, which was from a Civic, is absolutely brilliant! Extremely efficient use of space, engineering, and ergonomics. Even the door open warning ⚠ is typical Honda! Now, everyone must have a CR-V or that absolutely hideous HR-V. Good vehicles, but they are all trucks when we should be driving cars, especially station wagons (estates for you in the UK 🇬🇧), because the CUV SUV is just another bloated, wasteful replacement.
I've got the Accord with the 2.2 i-CTDI and it's a flying machine with all that torque. The engines take well to mapping and are faster than the type Rs of the era when tuned. Imagine this thing pulling away from hot hatches. Potential for a good sleeper.
Woohoo, a Honda FR-V! What a car! :)
Wish they still made these, would be perfect for me
Along with the rival from Fiat, I certainly do like the idea of 2 lots of 3 seats. Wonder why no one else thought of that idea. Seems to make sense in so many way. I would quite Happily have one of these over Any SUV available today. I absolutely agree with what you say regarding SUVs. Would be Lovely To see a Ssangyong Rodius go for a Drive. Full size mpv and beyond and rear passengers are no where near the tailgate that is how huge they are. Superb Test 👍
Perfectly seating for current UK covid regulations.
SPM Steve it’s ok
🤣👌🏽
Love those had a shuttle and stream for years
Did look at getting one 8 years ago, but they weren't many around and out of our price range. Got a Mazda 5 instead, normal 7 seater but does have sliding rear doors.
Nice and quirky cars and very comfortable, but 3 adults in the front makes not a pleasant journey!
My mate has one at work. 2 months before I noticed the centre seat. Doh!
Iv always liked these I would have got one but they don't fit in the garage. Great vidio as always Matt.
Thanks 👍
Well done sir, you have made a video about a car I have zero interest in fun! Keep up the good work 👍👍
Glad you liked it!
I like it. Sort of subtly quirky, as opposed to the Multipla's all out "look at me" approach, and hiding a lot of clever features and storage. A perfect family vehicle. Plus it's a Honda so it shouldn't break.
Futuristic for the time and very interesting
I quite like the Honda Stepwagon, looking on an online auction site you can pick up 08 cars for next to nothing.
In other markets, such as in India there is also a Honda WR-V and a UR-V as well
Honda have always been the masters of innovation. Look at the first Civic!
The Japanese imports here in New Zealand are called an Edex.
Honda Edix btw
Lovely Jubbly video, kinda like it, is that 118k miles, wears it well?
Surprised you missed the third sun visor in the middle. Pretty cool
didnt notice it!
I'm looking at one this morning. Any things to look for. Shame the tax is £280.
I like Honda, did you ever test Honda HR-V start of the millennium?Would love to know how it drives...
Loved the video. One question, could you find a ford F-150 to review? I know they are around in England. Thou kinda rare I heard. I daily a 89 F-150 manual 4x4. I love love to hear your thoughts.
Yes theres a dealer I need to talk to about some pick ups
I have had this car for 6 years. The extra urban fuel consumption is about 4.9-5.1 litres per 100 km. (2.2 diesel, 140 HP)
Excellent review! It is a car made of genius. Unfortunately and like the Fiat Multipla, it was considered weird and, therefore, the design trend did not continue. It's time to rethink the usefulness of the family car. ;-)
My mum has one of these in light blue and its the 2.2 diesel that averages 56MPG!
I bought my first Honda (a Civic) in March. I can’t see myself owning another brand of car now.
Fantastic video
Thanks! 😃
Enjoyed the video, but not for me I think. Could be interested in the "Happy Recreational Vehicle" if you know anybody who would lend you for a road test?
Wow, never ever heard of such a thing!
There’s a lot of cleverness going on there. And from here in the US, it’s interesting to see a manual transmission in that sort of vehicle.
Its only recently we are getting autos as standard in alot of cars, not a good step
the thing I always liked about these 6 seaters was because you had 2 rows of 3 seats you didn't have to have those fold up seats in the boot which made the back passengers pretty much touching the back door, seemed so dangerous
It was - check out 5th Gear's crash test
I like the new shape XC 90
My dad used to have one with 2.2. Awesome car
Actually he still owns it, along with a 2020 CRV so you are right. But I call it an ex-car because he will probably sell it pretty soon as he doesn't need 13 seats now haha
Very well thought out family car. I really like the quirky design and the interior is very nice. To bad the car looks so unloved. I only ever seen one in real life, people rather had a Multipla or Scenic. Those where so common here where I live. Biggest drawback for this Honda back when they where new: it's price. Very expensive compared to it's rivals. Great video Matt, liked it!
This one is very well used, full in family life!
I have a FR-V for 14 years. Almost perfect car. Unfortunately I'll have to sell it for an EV due to carbon emission rules in Europe. So sad.
Too many comments to see if this was said...apparently a honda chief was on holiday and was driven around in a multipla....this apparently was the birth of this model. I bloody love them and want one!
No, thats the first comment on that! Id not heard that but can believe it
Great car.
Full on picnic shelf!
one giant PS
Jason Cornell dashboard
Your reviews are always spot on. Would be nice for you to blag a review on the new MG 5 EV estate.
I would like to!
Honda do have a replacement successor for the FRV called the BRV but it is not sold in Europe, only South Asia, Japan and South East Asian markets
Thanks, now I have to find one!
Not my cup of tea !!!!! I had a mitsubishi spacewagon when my kids were growing up ,now they are 23 and 24 great content matt STAY SAFE☕☕☕☕☕☕☕☕☕🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
I thought the FR-V was just another boring football mum car but didn't know about it having 6 seats! I'm also a big fan of tan leather interiors!
nice, and pretty rare honda :-)
Will there be more Volvo 740 videos?