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Honda is a company that doesn’t like to follow the crowd. So, while it competes in most of the traditional sectors of the car market, in each case it does something a little bit different.

The Jazz, for example, might look like just another rival to Britain’s best-selling car, the Ford Fiesta, but it’s actually much more practical than its rivals, with a flexible boot and Tardis-like interior.

The bigger Civic is also a practical choice, but it’s mainly distinguished by having eye-catching, love-it-or-hate-it styling, despite competing in a sector of the market that’s usually more conservative than a blue rosette.

And while it may not seem so radical now, Honda’s large SUV, the CR-V, was one of the first to forego any pretence of being an off-roader and instead focus on on-road driving dynamics.

HONDA

SHUTTLE

An affordable and capable alternative to better known people-carriers

Used Honda Shuttle MPV 1997 - 2000

Decent residuals and limited supply mean the Shuttle isn't the cheapest or easiest MPV to buy used and, while it's unlikely to bleed you dry, running costs could be lower.

When it comes to maintenance, for example, Honda dealers tend to charge less per hour than their rivals at Ford and Toyota, but more than Nissan and Mazda dealers.

Getting the work done at an independent Honda specialist can save you some money, but there's less of a difference between Honda dealers and Honda specialists than there is between dealers and specialists of other makes. The Shuttle has to be serviced more frequently than many rivals, too, having intervals of just 6000 miles.

The lack of a diesel engine means fuel bills will be steep - the 2.2-litre engine only averages 27.5mpg and the 2.3-litre 26.2mpg - and Shuttles attract rather high group 15 or 16 insurance ratings.

An affordable and capable alternative to better known people-carriers

Early Shuttles were powered by a 2.2-litre petrol engine, but this was replaced with a 2.3-litre unit in February 1998. Both get raucous when worked hard, so the stronger 2.3's extra flexibility is worth having if your budget will stretch to it.

Unusually, no diesel engine was offered and the only gearbox is a four-speed automatic. However, this shifts slickly and is rarely caught in the wrong gear.

There are three trims to choose from, with basic LS cars getting air-con, alloy wheels, an electric sunroof, driver and passenger airbags and anti-lock brakes.

The mid-spec ES is our pick because it adds an engine immobiliser to stop all but the most determined thieves driving it away. You also get seven seats to the LS's six and the convenience of central locking.

Finally, there's the flagship ES Executive model. Introduced in 1999, it brings luxuries including leather upholstery and a CD multichanger.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of space for all the family and their paraphernalia</li> <li>Comfortable ride for everyone inside</li> <li>Seats with plenty of adjustment and versatility of layout</li> <li>Engine that can cope with a full load of people and luggage</li> <li>Excellent efficiency to avoid big fuel bills</li></ul>

Practicality is king in the MPV market, which has taken a hit as buyers have turned towards trendier SUVs. There are still plenty of decent offerings to suit most budgets, though, with Citroën fielding a particularly strong line-up. The French manufacturer’s Berlingo offers bags of space for not much money and you can easily haggle off thousands of extra pounds in discounts, too.

Citroën also scores with the larger Grand C4 Spacetourer, which offers seven seats, lots of oddment space and appealing running costs for something so large. A similarly priced and even better option is the Volkswagen Touran. Meanwhile, if you prefer a premium badge, there's always the BMW 2 Series Active and Gran Tourers or Mercedes B-Class and V-Class.

But for something sizeable that's still decent to drive, we’d recommend you check out the Ford Galaxy, which can offer three rows of seats and decent luggage space at the same time. It’s not that much pricier than the smaller S-Max.

Owning a Shuttle should be fairly painless because Honda's record in our reliability surveys is second to none, and information from Warranty Direct suggests that dealers are quick to diagnose the few faults that do crop up.

Still, even the most durable cars have weaknesses, and the Shuttle is no different. Its air-con needs recharging every two years, the rear suspension bushes tend to wear quickly and the anti-lock brakes can require a new pump. The last of these will cost you a hefty £1400 to put right.

The Shuttle has also been subject to a couple of recalls, making a full-service history all the more important. There was a chance the lower steering ball joint could wear out on cars built between January 1996 and December 1997, leading to a loss of steering control in the worst cases. Some Shuttles also needed their ignition switch replaced.

Some MPVs can come as a culture shock if you've always driven saloons and hatchbacks, but the Shuttle isn't one of them. Its driving position is comparatively low and car-like, and the body is shorter and narrower than many rivals so it isn't as intimidating to park or thread down tight city streets.

You might expect the Shuttle to be a bit cramped on the inside, then, but it's actually very spacious. Six- and seven-seat versions were sold, with the seats spread over three rows in both.

The gear selector is mounted on the steering column to keep the floor clear, so you can walk to the back and separate squabbling kids, while the two-person bench in the third row folds flat into the floor when you need a bigger boot. Room for luggage is limited with all the seats in place, though.

On the open road, the Shuttle continues to feel impressively car-like, staying composed through corners, with little body roll. Wind and road noise aren't too intrusive, but the ride can be unsettled over patchy surfaces.

Used Honda Shuttle MPV 1997 - 2000 reliability

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Used Honda Shuttle MPV 1997 - 2000 review

Owning a Shuttle should be fairly painless because Honda's record in our reliability surveys is second to none, and information from Warranty Direct suggests that dealers are quick to diagnose the few faults that do crop up.,Still, even the most durable cars have weaknesses, and the Shuttle is no different. Its air-con needs recharging every two years, the rear suspension bushes tend to wear quickly and the anti-lock brakes can require a new pump. The last of these will cost you a hefty £1400 to put right.,The Shuttle has also been subject to a couple of recalls, making a full-service history all the more important. There was a chance the lower steering ball joint could wear out on cars built between January 1996 and December 1997, leading to a loss of steering control in the worst cases. Some Shuttles also needed their ignition switch replaced.

What to look for when buying a Honda Shuttle 1997 - 2000, covering common problems to check for and overall vehicle reliability.

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