The Honda FR-V (Honda Edix in Japan) is a six-seater compact MPV introduced by Honda in 2004. Alongside the Fiat Multipla, it is currently the only compact minivan with a 3+3 seating configuration available on the European market.
Engines
The FR-V is available with three gasoline and one Honda diesel-powered engine.
- 1.7 i-VTEC – 125 hp (93 kW) at 6300 rpm and 154 N·m (114 lb·ft) 4800 rpm
- 1.8 i-VTEC – 138 hp (103 kW)
- 2.0 i-VTEC – 150 hp (112 kW) at 6500 rpm and 192 N·m (142 lb·ft) at 4000 rpm
- 2.2 i-CTDi – 140 hp (104 kW) at 4000 rpm and 340 N·m (251 lb·ft) at 2000 rpm
The 1.7 i-VTEC and 2.0 i-VTEC were replaced in spring 2007 by a new 1.8 i-VTEC from the Civic compact hatchback. At the same time some minor cosmetic changes were made (carbon effect interior, light cluster, and darker front grill).
With average annual sales of 2,700 units in UK, it’s no wonder that Honda has decided to take out the FR-V. The Japanese automaker said that the last examples of the six-seater compact minivan are due to roll off the production line at the firm’s Suzuka plant in Japan this August.
attempted to communicate with Honda’s European office to find out whether or not this decision concerns only the UK or if Honda plans to discontinue the FR-V in other markets also, but we have yet to receive an answer.
In the UK, Honda said that it sold a total of 13,531 FR-Vs since the family car first went on sale in 2004.The FR-V is also sold in Japan as the Edix.
“The FR-V has been very successful in its niche market, but the MPV sector is a very mature one and downsizing has become the dominant trend more recently,” said Tom Gardner, Head of Marketing for Honda UK. “With cars like Jazz and Insight, we can serve this emerging market very well.”
