A new member has been added to the JDM Honda Freed family of compact minivans in Japan. Called the Freed Spike, the new model is being pitched by Honda as a "compact multi-wagon" for people with "active lifestyles". We remind you that the Freed is based on Honda's Jazz / Fit architecture. It was introduced in Japan in 2008 and is offered in five-, seven- and eight-seat versions, all of which feature sliding rear doors.
The new Freed Spike is available exclusively with two rows of seats for five passengers that can be arranged in several different configurations. Honda has added new dual-height floor panels in the cargo area and some additional storage areas on the side panels.
Visual changes on the outside include a redesigned front end with newly shaped headlamps, grille and bumper designs, while the third side window has been replaced by a rather crude-looking plastic panel. The partial tail lamp covers and the new alloy wheels round off the exterior upgrades.
Powertain options have been carried over from the standard Freed. The Spike is offered with a 1.5-liter petrol engine in FWD (with a CVT) or AWD (with a 5-speed automatic transmission) configurations.
15 Comments:
-> We need cars like these in the US instead of that stupid Crosstour.
Looks good for a compact wagon. Would not sell well in U.S. as its too small and too practical (sarcasm)
I've driven one of these small japanese 'kei' cars and vans before and it put me through parking hell. No rear visibility -- this looks to be 10x worse. Just look at that c/d pillar.
err..mr Matt...
i think you forgot whats been called "Rear View Camera"
this kind of car is very practical in town..
About what I would expect from Honda...hideous!
@Anonymous 2:
Good point. But there may be lower-grade models without backup cameras (no radio/LCD screen slot, pic. 29).
I guess if you used a car like that everyday, you would go and buy an aftermarket one though...
Anyways, good point.
A rear view camera still doesn't solve the massive blind spot created by the c/d pillar when driving on a multi-lane road.....
I suppose the privacy created for your sleeping bag with complementary Japanese girl makes up for it!
the US needs this car...but without the hideous plastic panel...is there a window under there?
"the US needs this car...but without the hideous plastic panel"
No, the US doesn't need this car as it already has one: the Fit.
The Honda Stream should of came over here instead of that ugly ass Crosstour....
this thing is ugly. I am blown away by how off beat the japs are on car designs. they had it in the 90's but they have lost their touch. the best automakers seem to be hyundai/kia from korea and ford, and GM from usa as of late..the rest have all but missed their targets. honda needs to fire their car desingers who keep coming up with these bad ugly designs
"The best designers seem to be hyundai/kia from korea and ford, and GM from usa as of late..."
- Yeah Ford and GM are from the US! You got that right! Yeahh. but the best design part...man you got that wrong...so minus marks for you.
@ Anon 11
The Japs have lost thier touch as declared by an anon. They are world leaders in Automobiles for Christ sake.
"...the massive blind spot created by the c/d pillar ... "
Eh, right, that's why those who drive cargo vans have x-ray like vision capability.
I'm waiting to buy one of these (or something very similar to it). It is kind of fugly - I don't mind the overall silhouette, but some of the extra curves and contours on the body panels seem unneeded and suggests wacky Japanese style.
Currently, the only thing like this in the US is a Mazda5. That's a little too long for my tastes/needs - so I consider the Honda Freed like a smaller car in this same class of car.
I don't consider the Fit in the same class, because it doesn't have sliding back doors. I am holding out for more cars/mini wagons/mini minivans with sliding back doors - regular rear doors are such a hassle!
The regular Honda Freed (not the Spike edition) has windows instead of solid sheet metal on the back side panels. I would like to get one of these regular Freeds with all seats removed except the two front seats. I'd mostly use the car's cargo space for weekend car camping.
It sounds like the Freed would get about 38+ mpg (and should be even better with all the back seats removed!). That's great, given what else is out there. I want a car with high mpg, but I still need plenty of cargo room to pack stuff for weekend outings and to sleep/camp out in the cargo area several times per season.
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