HONDA'S smaller soft roader - the HR-V - is still capable of decent off-road work when necessary and I know someone who swears by one as a towcar for his caravan.
The HR-V is chunky and good looking and was available as a three and five door with four wheel drive and later there was also a front wheel drive version.
The 2WD and base 4WD models both had a 1.6-litre engine with 105bhp, which gives a top speed of around 100mph and 0 to 60 acceleration of about 11 seconds along with 32mpg economy.
A more powerful 1.6 was added later with no less than 122bhp 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 much more family friendly with plenty of space for four over a long journey in complete comfort.
The ride is good and the suspension is able to cope with almost anything on the road, keeping occupants well insulated.
Interior
The interior is a little cramped in the rear of the three door, spacious in the five door and both have an excellent boot.
Controls are great - Honda's cabins have always been pretty good - the clutch is light, the five speed gearbox excellent and the power steering brilliant if sometimes a little too light. Reliability is excellent.
FAST FACTS
Honda HR-V V-TEC
Price: Pay about £2,200 for an '01 Y-reg 3dr, or £2,800 for an '02 52-reg. An '04 54-reg 5dr will be about £4,800
Mechanical: 122bhp, 1,598cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving all four wheels via 5-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 106mph
0-62mph: 10 seconds
Combined mpg: 32
Insurance group: 8
Marks: 8/10
Main rival: Suzuki Vitara