Japan still knows best, votes dinky MPV as its car of the year

As the march of the crossover shows no sign of slowing on our shores, once again we are envious of Japan and its supremely sensible domestic market. Case in point: the Honda Freed minivan has just won the Japan Car of the Year title.

The funky-looking new Freed was unveiled back in May and is available in either Air or Crosstar variants, with the latter getting raised suspension and black plastic cladding. Heck, you can even have it with four-wheel drive. You really don’t need that tiny SUV, do you?

The Freed gets petrol or hybrid powertrains and prices start at the equivalent of around £13,000. With the option of three rows of seats and a boxy body you’ll fit up to six people and plenty of luggage despite its dinky dimensions (it’s just over 4m long). Oh, and you can even have some Mugen modifications with spoilers, big wheels and splitters.

The Freed beat the Mazda CX-80 to the Japan Car of the Year gong (take that, SUVs!), with the new Mini Cooper in third place.