Honda is to launch a new mini-MPV in the spring priced around £18,000 and designed to compete against the top-of-the range Vauxhall Zafira and Renault Scenic.

The car, built in Japan and based on the new Civic platform, will arrive in the UK in "late spring". It was unveiled at the recent Berlin motor show.

A Honda spokesman said: "UK volumes will be pretty low, probably around 2,000 units because of the fact the Stream will be sold globally and that will be our allocation."