Tokyo 2009: Should Honda bring the Freed MPV to America?
by Sam Abuelsamid on Oct 24th 2009 at 9:05AM 
2009 Honda Freed - Click above for high-res image gallery
Here in Tokyo, we were hanging around with some American Honda Motor Co. officials when they got their first up-close look at the Freed. The Freed is a compact minivan/MPV based on Honda's Fit architecture. For reference, the six-seat, three-row Freed is about 15 inches shorter than a Mazda5 and about 4 inches longer than a U.S.-spec Fit.
Freed's third row seats fold up against the sides of its body, leaving a completely flat load floor. At least two U.S. Honda PR people checking out the model loved the idea of offering it Stateside, although they'd be inclined to see two changes. Because of the micro-van's short length, they would drop the third row and move the second row back for more legroom. Additionally, the 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine (the same one used in the U.S. Fit) would also likely be replaced by something a bit larger for the our market – possibly a 1.8-liter or even a 2.0-liter.
The Freed is a certainly an attractive package and could make a good competitor in the burgeoning small MPV segment against the likes of the Mazda5 and the forthcoming Chevrolet Orlando and Ford C-Max. What do you think? Have your say in the poll we're running after the jump. Honda's looking for feedback and would like to hear from you.
Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Honda Freed
Photos Copyright ©2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Honda]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
scotty2hotty 9:14AM (10/24/2009)
I own a Mazda 5 and a Nissan Cube. Both are great, but neither is exactly what I was looking for. The Freed sounds like it would be in the middle, just right. I'd keep the third row, since there are times when I'm carrying kids. I'd make sure, though, that the seat tracks for the second row let you push it way back when the third row is folded up.
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James 11:10AM (10/24/2009)
The Honda PR peeps forgot to add one more to the changes for a US Freed...aesthetically.
Bigger rims
TonyInMI 11:12AM (10/24/2009)
If you're gonna change the rims you should change the hubs and spokes as well.
Shiftright 3:27PM (10/24/2009)
Why hasn't xuchaoxio322's post been removed? What a douche!...
zamafir 4:16PM (10/24/2009)
They should just leave it as is and bring it over, reducing seating to two rows makes this pretty moot. Plus three rows and more nimble than the mazda would put it in a nice niche space
Citizen Chin 9:17AM (10/24/2009)
I think it would do fairly well; not a home run, but a solid seller. Personally, I wouldn't care either way whether Honda brings it here or not.
http://escapefromjersey.blogspot.com/
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Gary Lowe 9:17AM (10/24/2009)
If Honda wanted my feedback they'd already have fired their entire North America Design staff, brought back the RSX and put a decently powered engine into the CRV.
But yes, only half of America is in total denial, the other half appreciate good design, Japanese quality as in built in Japan and good value and performance for their money.
Bring it over
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Hamhock 11:44AM (10/24/2009)
that 1/2 of America that's in denail you're referring to wouldn't be the Red States, now would it?
thomas 2:14PM (10/24/2009)
Built in Japan = expensive. do you really think theres a drop in quality if the gigantic machines on the assembly line are in TN rather than Japan??
Also, while i don't necessarily disagree with you on the point of bringing back the RSX (and by RSX you mean integra) or putting a more powerful engine option in the CR-V...
you need to remember that these car companies are businesses. making money is a little higher on the priorities list than pleasing fanboys.
so if there isnt a SIGNIFICANT market for ANOTHER 2+2 coupe or a more powerful, less efficient crossover, they're not gonna do it.
meanwhile, people just keep buying civics and accords.
Monica Dickey 5:17PM (10/24/2009)
I'm not that big a fan of the design, but maybe it would grow on me. Regardless they should bring it over. People are loving Toyotas and this definitely has a place in the market.
*WoodysCarSite.com 9:18AM (10/24/2009)
Honestly, the idea is not a bad one but I'm more in favor of the Nissan CrossRoads.
What is Honda doing about their Element replacement?
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Alex Nunez 9:35AM (10/24/2009)
The Crossroad is actually a Honda, too, Woody:
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/22/honda-crossroad-introduced-in-japan/
corey 9:21AM (10/24/2009)
I love the mini-MPV concept (I own a Kia Rondo), so this concept immediately appeals to me. That said, I don't get the point of this vehicle if Honda ditches the third row. At that point it just becomes a Fit with sliding doors. +1 to Scotty's comment--a little third row for kids adds a lot of utility, so long as the 2nd row seats can slide back to hold American-size bodies when the 3rd row is not in use. The packaging of the Freed looks very clever, and it would give Honda a unique B-class product.
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orion 9:30AM (10/24/2009)
It looks fantastic, just don't let the American design teams mess with it. In fact, have the Americans tell the Japanese what they're looking for and let them do the "modifications".
Its too bad we don't have an acura version of the Fit, although I guess that would mean putting a snout on it and beating it with the ugly stick....So never mind.
We would buy one if it came over almost like it is.
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Snowdog 9:40AM (10/24/2009)
Third row seats are pretty bad in big vehicles. I am sure they have a whole new level of pointlessness here.
How about dropping that 1.8L and a 6speed manual in the Honda Fit. That I could handle.
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MachinaDC5 9:41AM (10/24/2009)
I think most people on Autoblog are more interested in Type-Rs than mini-minivans, but this looks decent and seems practical. I say there's little reason to NOT bring a North American version over, since the market's starting to warm up.
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Rick C. 1:51PM (10/24/2009)
Not correct. Autoblog is an consumer site first, and not so much of an enthusiast site. Notice the coverage of trucks and other work vehicles? Family vehicles are a natural fit. The high performance and racing content is just equal opportunity filler IMO.
ndhondasales 9:42AM (10/24/2009)
It it didn't have a 3rd row what would be the use? All they would be doing is competing with the Fit. I think a smaller van has a lot of potential in the U.S. Make it 6 passenger with the more powerful Accord 4 cylinder and they would be on to something.
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carguy 9:46AM (10/24/2009)
Given the modest sales of the Mazda5, I would leave it well alone.
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PJ 6:21PM (10/24/2009)
The sales numbers may be modest, but then, Mazda has never imported the 5 in large volumes. In fact, Mazda has sold more 5s than they expected.
I think the Scion xB and Nissan Cube are equally good predictors of sales in this segment, and they're both on a roll. I can see the Freed selling well to older folks who like the easy parking, ingress/egress, and visibility of the other "box" cars, but could do without their self-conscious trendy details and teenager image. There are a surprising number of those buyers out there.