Filed under: Minivans/MPVs, Japan, Honda
Honda Freed mini-minivan debuts in Japan
Click above for high-res gallery of the Honda Freed
Honda revealed its new compact minivan today in Japan called the Freed. On sale today as well, the Freed can carry up to eight passengers within its diminutive dimensions thanks to a low, completely flat floor and some clever packaging. Opt for captains chairs in the second row and you can still ferry seven people between Kyoto and Tokyo in relative comfort. The Freed will also be offered in three versions that accommodate people in wheelchairs with ramps and lift-up seats. Honda's JDM mini-minivan will be offered in front-wheel and all-wheel-drive models powered by a 1.5L VTEC four-cylinder engine mated to either a 5-speed automatic or CVT transmission. It looks like a promising vehicle that Japanese buyers will snap up like 10-cent sushi, and we bet Honda would find a market for the Freed here in the U.S. as well considering the current popularity of fuel-efficient vehicles packing tons of practicality.
Gallery: 2008 Honda Freed
[Source: Honda]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Galley 5:45PM (5/30/2008)
It looks like a Fit minivan. It would probably sell well here in the U.S.
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Big Jim Slade 6:22PM (5/30/2008)
The Fit looks like a minivan. Or it did - looks like a Prius now...
maestromario 5:50PM (5/30/2008)
Oh-ho! Potential Mazda5 buster... ;-)
Eek 6:06PM (5/30/2008)
Just as ugly too.
DanMan 5:46PM (5/30/2008)
I am curious what the U.S. fuel economy would be.
It makes me think of the OLD Mazda MPV (back when it was first introduced) and does anybody remember how tiny the old short wheelbase Caravans were? That would be cool to have a tiny van like that again.
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Juan 5:50PM (5/30/2008)
I'm all for mini minivans but what the heck is going on with Honda's designs lately? They used to be clean and simple and aged very well, but now they're just ugly for no reason...grrr
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Red 5:58PM (5/30/2008)
Honestly? Who the hell cares. This vehicle is a full 10 inches SHORTER than a 2006 Honda Civic sedan and seats up to 8 people without sacrificing much in the way of utility or fuel efficiency. With that kinda of size and practicality, Honda could sell a boatload to fleets for taxis', etc, in larger populated areas of the United States without breaking a sweat.
geo.stewart 7:42PM (5/30/2008)
10 inches shorter and holds 8 people?
meh! no way it doesnt give up functionality.
maybe if its Snow White and the 7 dwarfs/ or Dorothy and the little people.
the Fit barely seats 4.
I can see the Stream sitting 6 on its Civic platform
Red 9:42PM (5/30/2008)
@ geo.stewart
The Freed comes in 5 passenger, 7 passenger and 8 passenger versions. It's 166" in length with a 107.8" wheelbase. The Civic is 176" in length with a 106" wheelbase. The third row sits on top of the rear wheel housing, so the seats no longer fold into the floor, but Honda devised it so the seats fold up toward the sides of the car when not in use.
Like I mentioned, it really doesn't give up functionality. You mentioned the Fit, which the Freed is built upon, but the difference is, this is using the second gen chassis vs. the first gen. There's more room in the back and Honda pushed everything out as far as possible to achieve that. There's also a decent amount of shoulder room, so real live human beings can actually fit in the back. I've yet to see a Freed in person, but I'd be surprised if Honda didn't evolve the Fit theory. As you can see, the 5 passenger model has a pretty decent sized cargo area, while the 7 passenger model has a walk through between the two second row captains chairs. Honda's mantra has always been "man maximum, machine minimum". The Freed is yet another example of that.
Judy Zik 10:06PM (5/30/2008)
I was ready to say bring it over here then I looked through the gallery and started laughing. That is one ugly vehicle. Especially from the back. They would need to beat the ugly out of it first. Then they might have something worth importing. The future is looking pretty bright for small people movers so you would think there will be a market though so far the Mazda 5 and Rondo haven't been flying off of lots. The only problem is once you cram a 6 cylinder motor into it you ruin the fuel economy and we don't tend to like vehicles that struggle to haul 8 fat asses up a hill.
psu48187 5:55PM (5/30/2008)
It looks like a toy car of some sort.
As far as how well would this sell, well look at the Mazda 5 and how much traction it has gained.
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Juan 6:06PM (5/30/2008)
Ya know, I think you're right...
But do they have to be so ugly?
Dan 5:59PM (5/30/2008)
Looks like somebody already sideswiped it.
A perfectly good city car I'm sure.
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johnny 6:00PM (5/30/2008)
If it does show up in North America I hope it comes with the 1.5 motor or at most the 1.8 Civic motor. I dont want no freaking 3.5 V6 to haul 8 people around. We are way to obsessed with power. 140hp from Civic engine would be great!
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MikeW 6:11PM (5/30/2008)
Big inch power
R20
http://asia.vtec.net/Engines/R20A/index.html
What happened to this one
http://paultan.org/archives/2006/07/08/2007-honda-stream-interior-photos/
Jack 6:06PM (5/30/2008)
Wow, I thought minivans were ugly to begin with, but I just threw up a little bit in my mouth.
Embarassing.
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tuna 6:11PM (5/30/2008)
So in Japanesse home market ads, would they say "Fleed"?
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mr.ed 9:41AM (5/31/2008)
Please don't use racial or ethnic ignorant caricatures in the posts. Or anywhere. It isn't funny.
tuna 12:45PM (6/02/2008)
Mr.Ed, educate yourself before you make accusations.
My comment was an observation of Japanese home market ads not a expression of stereotype. It is also a comment regarding the vehicle's looks. If it had said "Jap home market" then "Jap" would've been a racist remark.
JG 6:21PM (5/30/2008)
Are you listening Honda, PLEASE, PLEASE bring this to the US! We need a vehicle like this. With gas at $4 this would be an excellent family vehicle. Some of us cannot fit our families in a Civic. This is so much more practical. I WANT ONE!
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