POUND for pound, Honda probably makes the best cars in the world.
They may not be the most exciting, apart from the scorching NSX, but who else can really stake a claim to such consistent engineering excellence, satisfying styling, reliability and, the clincher for me, such value for money.
With years of Formula 1 experience behind them, Honda engineers are renowned.
Body panels are aligned to tiny tolerances. Interiors, despite being overwhelmingly grey, come closest of all the Far Eastern brands to meeting the Audi benchmark.
Honda is a bit of a latecomer to the versatile people mover game but it believes its FR-V is ideally placed to win over those still unsure which way to jump in the five versus seven seater debate.
Following the Fiat Multipla route, Honda decided that seating for six people in two rows was the best way forward for the FR-V (Flexible Recreation Vehicle), so provided a third seat in the front.
In addition, both the front and rear middle seats can be slid back and forth to boost the car's flexibility, and to give a bit more shoulder room if it's an adult in the centre pew. All three rear seats fold down into the floor to create maximum load space.
Honda is trying to attract families with the FR-V and that centre front seat will really please those kids who are always asking "can I sit in the front today?"
Honda has done lots of work to provide as much safety for the centre passenger as any other occupant so it is safe for junior to sit there.
The Japanese firm's engines are fairly bomb-proof so reliability should not be a problem.
