ANOTHER day, another midi-MPV.

Life's getting a little crowded in the full five-seater sector, and it seems hardly a week goes by without another new model or new updated version of these family hold-alls making a grand entrance into the showrooms.

So Honda has its work cut out trying to convince buyers that they should favour the FR-V from a sector stuffed full of fine offerings.

Rather like a mafia member, the FR-V has lots of powerful relatives to help it along. The Jazz, Civic, Accord, CR-V and HR-V are all excellent and have got to count for something towards the FR-V's success.

The real problem with this market segment is one of model definition.

In the FR-V's case, the design gets a little lost in the crowd. While it cuts cleaner lines than the more rounded Renault Scenic and Citron Picasso, both of which are slightly shorter, these rival vehicles are, visually, instantly marque-defined.

Certainly the FR-V looks leaner than the Ford Focus C-Max and Vauxhall Zafira, both of which are slightly wider, but it has the same outer-shell blandness, as does the VW Touran, the Nissan Almera Tino, and so on.

Even the front end of the new version of the once-unique Fiat Multipla has conceded character to follow the herd.

But mention of the Multipla also invokes the link between the Fiat and the FR-V - they both have three seats up front, putting them streets ahead of the rest when it comes to family flexibility.

The Fiat models are cheaper, of course, but Hondas are more about quality and a more prestige brand image.

The starter of the three FR-V models, the 1.7SE, is £14,750 and the two-litre Sport that tops the range will set you back £16,400. A 2.2-litre diesel is due very soon.

The Honda (pictured) is magnificent to drive - the FR-V's handling and agility are a fine match for the multi-functional interior.

The combined mpg figure for the 1.7-litre, 123bhp model is a not-so-hot 37.7, but insurance grouping is down to eight. If a little more zip and even more economy are desired, then wait for the oil-burner.

The tested Honda's single-cam 1,668cc engine doesn't achieve maximum torque until the rev counter touches the 4,800rpm mark, which translates into reasonable, but not overly lively, response on the open road, especially with the cargo and cabin areas crammed full.

The dash-mounted gear lever gets plenty of exercise if a bit of urgency is needed.

The front floor is flat - another plus - but Honda's quirky placing of the all-electric window switches onto the top left of the front fascia doesn't work for me. They're too high and too far away.

The only other interior niggle, in a cabin that otherwise interacts excellently with its occupants, is the seating. The chair bases need a little extra padding and thigh support to lift them from average comfort to supreme luxury.

The FR-V's multi-functional interior boasts a lengthy specification list, starting with automatic air-conditioning and ending with lots of trays and pocket space.

Sandwiched in between is as-good-as-it-gets safety and security.

No other midi-MPV can match the FR-V for seating acrobatics.

It's just a shame Honda couldn't come up with a shape that really stands out from the crowd.

For more information, call City Honda on 01256 697850.