TOKYO — Honda's new Freed, a wedge-shaped "mini" minivan, seems to tackle a perennial problem with ease. The Japanese automaker asserts that there are no second-class citizen seats in this new people hauler, since "adults [can] sit comfortably in all three rows." The bad news is that it won't be coming to the U.S.
"Honda has no plans at this time to bring the Freed to the U.S. market," said American Honda Motor spokesman Chuck Schifsky in an e-mail response to a query by Inside Line.
The Japanese automaker on Thursday released details and images about the highly anticipated Freed, which goes on sale in Japan on May 30.
The Freed is built on the same compact platform as the Honda Fit and can fit five, seven or eight passengers, depending on the seating configuration. It is powered by a 118-horsepower 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine linked to a continuously variable transmission. The Freed has electric power steering and vehicle stability assist as standard on 4WD, Gi Aero and Flex i Aero models.
Honda said it will also bring out "special needs" versions of the Freed, including a wheelchair-accessible model that will go on sale on June 20 in Japan.
The vehicle name is short for "freedom." "The name implies a vehicle Honda pursued with completely unrestricted thinking unbound by conventional thinking or standard practices," the automaker said in a statement.
Details of the Freed include a compact fuel tank and a unique underfloor structure that results in a low, flat floor. The seven-passenger version features captain's seats in the second row and a walk-through layout.
What this means to you: You'll have to admire this clever Japanese minivan from afar, since it won't be available here. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
"Honda has no plans at this time to bring the Freed to the U.S. market," said American Honda Motor spokesman Chuck Schifsky in an e-mail response to a query by Inside Line.
The Japanese automaker on Thursday released details and images about the highly anticipated Freed, which goes on sale in Japan on May 30.
The Freed is built on the same compact platform as the Honda Fit and can fit five, seven or eight passengers, depending on the seating configuration. It is powered by a 118-horsepower 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine linked to a continuously variable transmission. The Freed has electric power steering and vehicle stability assist as standard on 4WD, Gi Aero and Flex i Aero models.
Honda said it will also bring out "special needs" versions of the Freed, including a wheelchair-accessible model that will go on sale on June 20 in Japan.
The vehicle name is short for "freedom." "The name implies a vehicle Honda pursued with completely unrestricted thinking unbound by conventional thinking or standard practices," the automaker said in a statement.
Details of the Freed include a compact fuel tank and a unique underfloor structure that results in a low, flat floor. The seven-passenger version features captain's seats in the second row and a walk-through layout.
What this means to you: You'll have to admire this clever Japanese minivan from afar, since it won't be available here. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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