MPV advantages, big estate character (Honda Shuttle 2.3i LS)

Member Name: Flufkin

Product:	Honda Shuttle 2.3i LS
Date:	05/12/01 (3331 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: performance, comfort, size

Disadvantages: petrol consumption

I really don't understand why I don't see more of these cars on the road. We test drove many MPV type vehicles over many week ends and this was the easy winner.

We have 3 small Children (aged 2,4, and 6) and need to be able to get all the kids into the car, with luggage.

After trying the Ford Galaxy (too uncomfortable on a long drive, and a bit plastic), the Chrysler Voyageur (good style but gutless engine), the Toyota Picnic (too small) we were starting to think we?d have to get a large estate. The Citroen just looked like a box on wheels. Then we spotted a Shuttle, round the corner from where we live. It looked big enough, and not at all box like. More like a large estate car. (In fact its 10cm longer than the Galaxy)

When the Shuttle first came out (1995) it cost something like £22,000 new. We bought ours from new in 1999 for £18,000. For me this represents £22,000 worth of car for £18,000! The equipment levels are fairly high with the cheaper LS boasting aircon, twin airbags, anti-lock brakes and electric windows. (The ES replaces the middle bench with two proper seats,a 6 CD changer rather than radio/cassette, alloy wheels and good looking roof rails!)


It?s basic specs are as follows:
Automatic: 4 speed gear box
Weight: 1565kg
Length: 476cm
Width: 179cm
Height: 164cm (or low enough to get on the lower deck of the Chunnel Shuttle)
0-100kph: 12.2s
Top: 185kph (115 mph)
Engine: 2254cc / 150bhp@5700 / 16valve

The Shuttle looks, and drives, like a large estate car. Because of the fabulous engine the acceleration, ride, and handling are all much better than any of the other MPV vehicles I've tried. The driving position is less upright and more car-like than any of the others. Driving the Shuttle is a relaxing experience, you don't have to wrestle it around corners, and you don't have to bounce up and down in your seat to make it go faster.

Despite b
eing a large car, it has a lot of window area, with large wing mirrors (electrically controlled) that mean it is easy to drive in a busy town, and just as easy to park as a smaller car.

Most of these MPVs don't have any luggage, or storage space. This is one of the things I love about the Shuttle. The space behind the rear seats goes down quite deep, and has enough space for small suitcases, or quite a few bags of shopping. The rear bench seat folds and tucks into this space to form the flat floor of a spacious boot. The middle row of seats folds forward to give an even larger carrying space.

The automatic gear stick is mounted on the steering column, which means there is a gap between the two front seats allowing walk through.

In all the time we've had it we haven't had a sniff of any mechanical trouble. The windscreen clears properly, and doesn't mist up. Then there are all the little touches that makes things complete; vanity light in the back as well as the front; window and door locks for the children; drinks holders by both sets of rear seats (though not in the front).
So is there anything we don't like about the car? Well we would have liked the bench seat in the higher spec car (roof rails, CD player etc) but couldn't! On holiday we fold the back seats down, and have all 3 kids in the middle.

Because of the niche in the back for the folding seat the spare wheel is 'inside' the car, which was in initially annoying.

Finally petrol consumption. It is quite a thirsty car; we manage about 27 miles per gallon.

In conclusion I love this car! For people with a large family that don't need the height of the Galaxy type MPV should look at this car.

Summary: