Honda Shuttle Review (1995 to 2000)

Quick Summary

It costs about the same as a lesser-specified Ford Galaxy and is well worth considering. Build quality is much better and that walk-through aisle arrangement is very practical for families - even if it does restrict you to the six-seater versions.

Overall:

Models Covered:2.2-litre (4cyl 6-seat ES, 7-seat LS, 6-seat SE); 2.3-litre (4cyl 7-seat LS, LS Executive; 6-seat ES, ES Executive)

POWER TO THE PEOPLE

A latecomer to the People Carrying MPV revolution, Honda introduced their Shuttle in June 1995. Initially it was overpriced new, then reduced. More recently it received a larger engine and some minor styling changes. On the used scene, it costs little more than the mass-market alternatives but comes generally better equipped with automatic transmission as standard. Well worth considering.
Used Honda Shuttle for sale

History of the Shuttle

With only a single 2.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine model (no diesels), automatic-only transmission and a seating capacity of no more than six, the first Shuttle struggled in the showrooms. Prices were slashed in June 1997 with the introduction of a revised and expanded range. The initial single high-spec ES was replaced by a seven-seat entry-level LS and a plusher six-seat SE. Both had air conditioning as standard and shared the original car's four-cylinder 2,156cc engine.In February 1998 the Shuttle received a new 2.3-litre VTEC engine (with the same power output as the 2.2) and some minor styling changes including a new grille and bumpers plus a body colour roof spoiler. The standard automatic transmission was revised to give smoother shifts, the brakes were uprated with an electronic pressure distribution system and the instrument panel gained a rev counter and digital mileage recorder.The entry-level car was again a seven-seat LS with twin airbags, anti-lock brakes, air conditioning and power windows and mirrors. Alternatively, buyers could choose the six-seat ES which also had cruise control, alloy wheels, an electric sunroof, roof rails and body-coloured door handles and mirrors. In February 1999 Honda added Executive versions of both the LS and ES to the range. These have leather upholstery and a CD player but are quite rare on the used market. The range was phased out late in 2000.
Used Honda Shuttle for sale

Honda Shuttle Road Test

Some MPVs are essentially vans with extra windows and drive accordingly. Not this one. No lesser judge than ex-Grand Prix driver Jonathan Palmer at launch pronounced its handling the equal of any executive saloon.All-wishbone suspension - a rare luxury in a road car - guarantees safe, predictable handling without the kind of lurch and roll you'd normally expect in a tall vehicle of this kind. All of which allows the performance (rest to sixty in under twelve seconds on the way to 114mph) to be used to the full via the automatic gearbox (there's no manual option).The Shuttle was purposely designed to respond this way in order to match its intended role as a luxury car rather than a commercial carrier - or indeed, a family hold-all. In fact, though Honda maintain that it was designed from a clean sheet of paper, it owes much (including its smooth sixteen valve engine), to upmarket versions of the pre-1998 Accord saloon.
Used Honda Shuttle for sale

Buying a Honda Shuttle

Very little: the car tends to prove predictably reliable. A full service history is preferable. As with all MPVs, check for parking bumps and scrapes, plus interior damage caused by over-enthusiastic children.
Used Honda Shuttle for sale

Honda Shuttle Typical Pricing

The earliest ES 95M-plate models start at around £2,900, with more typical 96N and 97P-platers at between £3,500 and £4,200. 97P-plate LS models start at around £4,400 while the more lavishly equipped SE attracts a premium of £300 or so. The first of the 2.3-litre VTEC engine models on a 98R plate costs around £4,800 for a seven-seat LS with better-equipped six-seat ES specification adding around £500 to the asking price. Late 2000X examples range from around £5,300 to £6,000.
Used Honda Shuttle for sale

Honda Shuttle Parts

(based on a P-reg 2.2ES - approx ex-Vat) A full exhaust system (excluding catalyst) is around £100. Front and rear brake pads are around £60 per set respectively. A starter motor is around £270, a radiator around £180, an alternator around £295 and a front headlamp around £145.
Used Honda Shuttle for sale