HONDA’S HR-V came as both two and four wheel drive and in either short wheelbase three door or long wheelbase five door bodystyles.
It is capable of decent off-road work when necessary even though the 4WD versions don’t have low ratio gears.
Both varieties are chunky and good looking – rather like overgrown children’s sandpit toys – but the five door is more practical for a family.
The 2WD and base 4WD models both had a 1.6-litre engine with 105bhp, which gives a top speed of around 100mph, and zero to 60 miles an hour in about 11 seconds along with 32mpg economy.
A more powerful 1.6 with 122bhp was added later and this improved the urge all round cutting the 0 to 60 time by about a second, while retaining the same level of economy.
The five door is not only more practical but a little more comfortable thanks to the longer wheelbase.
The ride is still generally good and the suspension still manages to give more roadgoing handling and road-holding than many other 4x4s.
Interior
The three door is a little cramped in the back, with less kneeroom and really only room for two adults are larger children.
All the controls are great - Honda's cabins have always been pretty good - the clutch is light, the five-speed gearchange excellent and the power steering brilliant. Reliability is excellent but get that service history.
FAST FACTS
Honda HR-V
Price: Pay about £3,100 for an ‘03 03-reg 3dr, £4,500 for an ’04 54-reg 5dr
Mechanical: 122bhp, 1,598cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving four wheels via 5-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 106mph
0-62mph: 10 seconds
Combined mpg: 32
Insurance group: 8
CO2 emissions: 205g/km
BIK rating: 26%
Marks: 8/10
Main rival: Suzuki Vitara