Without much fanfare, Honda has released first details of its new compact MPV. The FR-V (Flexible Recreational Vehicle) may well cause some noise in Honda's showrooms when it goes on sale in November this year. So long as the price is right (no information yet sadly), mainstream rivals from Ford, Vauxhall and VW could have a fight on their hands, and premium brands will be looking over their shoulders too.

Look closely at the cutaway photograph and you will see that the FR-V uses the clever two rows of three seats layout as used in Fiat's Multipla. Honda says that the arrangement is more social than having three rows of seats. In reality, it does allow usable luggage space as well as room for most families, including three seats fitted with ISOFIX child seat mounts. All three rear seats fold flat and into the floor, which is a more practical solution than having to remove heavy seats to use all the car's volume.

It is difficult to gauge a car's size from photographs alone, and the FR-V is well proportioned, with a four-square stance. However, the FR-V does not look like other current Hondas. The frontal aspect may well point to a new family face for Honda, with more than a nod to pedestrian safety. The side and rear three quarters smack of BMW though, which may well help buyers see the FR-V as a quality product. What you can see of the interior suggests that the target market is more Audi than VW: a subtle difference in itself.

The Honda FR-V is based on the CR-V, so should be stable and good to drive. At launch there will be 1.7 and 2.0-litre VTEC petrol engines with the benchmark 2.2-litre turbodiesel arriving in 2005. Both 2.0 and 2.2-litre will be mated to Honda's cracking six-speed manual 'box. The Car Enthusiast will drive the FR-V's big brother this summer: the Honda Stream. Watch out for that review (and the FR-V's) on the main Road Tests page.

Shane O' Donoghue - 10 Jul 2004