New Honda Freed Heading Stateside?
Yeah, I know: car hacks always say that shit. But seriously, this one could hop the Pacific. It's Honda's Fit-based Freed, a Lilliputian van for the Japanese market named for the word yelled by occupants upon exit. Just kidding. The mini-minivan shares the Fit's 1.5-liter engine, which attempts (however fitfully) to move a maximum of eight passengers. Thanks to creative gas tank placement (shades of Toyota Previa), the Freed boasts a low loading floor and– get this– standard dual power sliding doors. Way-hey! The $16k Freed competes against the way cooler Nissan Cube3 and the Toyota Sienta. With gas prices eliminating SUVs as the stateside schleppers' wheels of choice, it's only a matter of time before one of these micro people carriers (or is that carriers of micro-people?) make it across the Pacific. But which one? And when will that vanning thing start anyway?
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Wow, I like the Honda Stream. It's basically a Civic wagon. Very nice looking.
I have a 95 Oddy and a Stream would be a very nice replacement. Looks great too. Bunter
I can't see this thing schlepping 4 American epicures out of the Applebee's parking lot, let alone eight! Maybe with the 190HP 2.4...
shaker-perhaps not, however your 4 epicures may not represent the entire market. I think it is not at all unlikely that there are enough families that have 2-4 kids that would love to get 30+ mpg combined while hauling everyone. There is a market and it is OK if you're not it. Stay groovy, Bunter