The inside doesn’t quite match up to the outside, though, because the plastic is still lacking a little bit of finesse, and that faux wood just feels like it doesn’t belong. Couple this with an ill-fitting glove-box and, visually, the interior isn’t as appealing. However, the buttons and switches are all top-notch and function without a hitch. The real saving grace for the Mobilio’s interior is the sheer space available inside the cabin. Some clever engineering (the Mobilio is 4.4 metres long) means that knee-room is abundant in both the first and second rows, and is just about adequate in the third row too. No cramps in this car then, and no neck creaks either, thanks to the car’s 1.6 metres of vertical presence, with only the last row feeling slightly stunted.
Comfort-wise, the front seat is wide and provides adequate thigh support too, an aspect that has been sacrificed in the second row to provide better leg-room. A longer rear door means access to second or third row isn’t a hindrance; an experience enhanced by the spring-loaded 60:40 split second-row seats that tumble forward at the pull of a lever. The tumbling doesn’t stop here either, because the last row too folds easily, allowing any number of permutations and combinations to create extra luggage space if the second and third rows are unoccupied. Even with all seats upright and in position, there is enough room at the back to take in a couple of mid-sized travel bags – impressive for a seven-seater.
The gizmo quotient has been notched up too, with the introduction of a touch-screen multimedia system that provides services like Sat-Nav, feedback from the parking camera, and connectivity via Bluetooth as well. The touch on the system is iffy, though, and takes some getting used to. The other connectivity options such as AUX input, USB and an iPod connector (Honda clearly aren’t getting in the middle of the Apple v Android battle) are all present, but the fact that they’re dangling off a bit of wire inside the glove-box further takes away from visual appeal.
