I have never given them much thought really but we plan to change the Freelander sometime this year and up to now have been looking at the Octavia 4x4 and Scout. I always like to have a short list so that I can compare the pros and cons before booking test drives. I don't like the new Freelander much and I was going past the Honda dealer the other day when I decided to call in and have a look at the new CRV.

I know the looks are an acquired taste but I was looking around one and the salesman asked if I wanted to have a drive. I had a bit of time to spare so I did and I have to say that I was very impressed with it. The build quality, comfort and ride were really good.

Are Hondas any good or not?

They're about the most reliable car money can buy and residuals are very good.

Can be expensive to fix/service and insurance premiums sometimes reflect this. Bullet proof reliability and the diesels are excellent (IMHO a lot nicer to drive than VAG cars)

As above. Build quality & reliabilty are top notch. Styling can be a bit bland but the 2.2 CDTi diesel is VERY smooth. Lacks the power & torque of the VAG PD TDI though.

I think we will have to arrange back to back test drives with the Octavia 4x4 and the Honda CRV to see what we think about them.

Thanks for the opinions guys.

i had a honda civic, 1.6 ESI ( little cheese wedge type ) auto, it was fast as f##k, insurance was good and so was fuel economy. Not the CRX type....

had it a year and never failed, just sold it cos we didnt need 2 cars at the time, untill 3 months later when i changed jobs and needed a car again....

Brother in law has a civic estate, loves it and hasn't had a problem at all..

See if you can get a weekend test drive in one.....

spevie

We will try to get a decent test drive in both the Skoda and the Honda. Not sure about any others at the moment though. There aren't many options when it comes to four wheel drive diesels which don't look like off-road vehicles.

I love Honda's!

OK. a Skoda site , asking if Hondas are any good, there is only one answer, and it is

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NO

Hondas in general? No, I hate the civic and always get 1.8 petrols as a hire car. Probably done about 1500miles in total and still can't be doing with the claustrophobia, the poor rear visibility, the general grotesqueness and having some poor drag queen's cod piece stuck in the middle of the steering wheel.

The most fun thing is to turn the speedo from mph to kph whilst your co-driver isn't looking, preferably whilst they're driving. PS don't buy a civic that was a Budget hire car

Spent a day driving the outgoing diesel CRV - (not driven many 4x4/SUVs to be fair) but didn't like it. No feel to the driving, bizarre, dashboard handle and where were the brakes? However it was comfortable, spacious (sat in the back too) and the leather was nice and going by the press Hondas never breakdown and if they do the dealers are pretty good at getting things sorted. The only other 4x4 I've driven was actually a 1.8 petrol freelander and that was a lot more interesting to drive. New CRV is even more "interesting" to look at than the civic.

Our "2nd car" is a 2002 CRV SE Auto bought from new which now has 48k on the clock.

Hasn't ever had a mechanical problem, servicing costs have been very low - really pleased with it and would recommend it without hesitation. (Shame there isn't a diesel auto version though!).

Good build quality & reliability are what Honda's reputation are built on, although as a recent "convert" to Skoda I have to say that they compare very favourably with Honda. The TG survey result hasn't come as a great surprise...............

I guess out problem this year is do we replace the old CRV with the new model which really impressed when we test drove it or wait & look at the new Scout which I think will have a diesel auto version?

Hondas in general? No, I hate the civic and always get 1.8 petrols as a hire car. Probably done about 1500miles in total and still can't be doing with the claustrophobia, the poor rear visibility, the general grotesqueness and having some poor drag queen's cod piece stuck in the middle of the steering wheel.

That doesn't mean Honda's aren't any good. Just not to your taste!

Best car's I've ever owned, and if they would have had a decent car that was newer than the DC2 I would have bought one, the CTR just didn't do it speed wise for me.

Definitely the first port of call when I'm looking for a car is something Honda based.

I love my honda civic. Just so nice to drive around in and so comfortable. Also nice and quick and very smooth/quiet for a diesel.

I love my honda civic. Just so nice to drive around in and so comfortable. Also nice and quick and very smooth/quiet for a diesel.

How does the real-world consumption on the diesel compare to the Fabia, Gav? The Prelude and Teg Type-R I've been in were great fun so I'd definitely rate Hondas (and they do also top the JD Power survey every year )

Chris

How does the real-world consumption on the diesel compare to the Fabia, Gav? The Prelude and Teg Type-R I've been in were great fun so I'd definitely rate Hondas (and they do also top the JD Power survey every year )

Chris

I would say that it's around the same as the fabia vrs for fuel consumption, depending on how you drive it. I think it would be easier to get more out of the honda if you decided to drive conservatively. I think the tank is slightly bigger as I get around 50 miles extra per tank.

I loved my CRX. Even though it was old it was really reliable, good on fuel and went like stink. Rust killed it off in the end.

Mate of mine has a CTR and it's never gone wrong and he wrings it's neck every time he gets in it. Bullet proof those things....shame they're lacking in character.

The steering lacks feel, the engine is totally torqueless and it's a bit rattly overall.

The interior looks like it took them 5 minutes to design and it's not that pleasant a place to be.

I know the Skoda Fabia of mine is not exactly the most involving to drive but the Civic is supposed to be the ultimate track weapon....I was expecting better......as in 205 GTi/ Clio 172 better. Despite their reliability faults, the French still make the best small cars to throw round corners.