DO you remember the good old days of the front bench seat?
There was stacks of room for three and the column mounted gearchange and under-dash handbrake made it all possible.
Well the good news is that front threesomes are back and the marketplace is taking a lot of notice.
It all started with Fiat taking the initiative with its innovative Multipla which provided three separate comfortable front seats without making the vehicle as wide as a Humvee.
Now Honda has turned up the same avenue with its FR-V which takes the idea to new dimensions.
Honda has suddenly become the name to watch when it comes to quality vehicles that make innovative use of space. The success of its Jazz compact model speaks volumes for the thought that goes into these cars.
Honda has taken note of the downsides of some MPVs we have seen. Many seem to offer a high level of comfort for passengers but fall short on loadspace. And when you want to adjust the seating arrangements, some have seats that are tiresome or laborious to adjust.
I know, because naming no names I once received a seriously cut finger from a vicious seat clip when juggling interior space on an MPV.
Honda has taken a lot of past moans on board and has produced a vehicle with 3x3 seating plus a generous amount of luggage space without having to be bothered with a roofbox.
And if you do need to create more luggage space inside there is a simple dive-down seat mechanism that creates the space in seconds. Flexibility of accommodation includes a multifunctional front seat that converts into a table.
So how does Honda manage to seat three people in the front of what is a compact MPV? Quite simple really - they place the manual gearshift on the dash, like they do on the popular Civic and create a totally new type of handbrake operated from within the dash, thereby making no claims on interior space.
Safety is paramount with airbags for all front seat occupants, full-length curtain airbags and much more.
It is up against some stiff market opposition including the immensely popular Citroen Picasso and Vauxhall Zafira, but FR-V is really a new generation vehicle. It manages to make a stylish visual impression without compromising functionality and the astonishing attention to interior detail cannot fail to impress.
There are three engine options, a 1.7 SOHC VTEC, 2.0 DOHC i-VTEC petrol and a 2.2 i-CTDi diesel.
My test car was the i-VTEC which delivers an outstanding combination of power and torque in all speed ranges with strong economy.
Using variable valve timing it is linked to a six-speed box on the two-litre version and the driving experience is a showcase of what modern family transport should be - totally enjoyable.
FAST FACTS
Honda FR-V 2.0 Sport
Price: £16,400
Mechanical: 150bhp, 1,998cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 120mph
0-62mph: 10.5 secs
Combined mpg: 33.6
Insurance group: 12
CO2 emissions: 199g/km
BiK rating: 26%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 90,000 miles; 3yrs paint; 6yrs anti-rust