Honda Freed & Freed Spike facelift / Honda Freed Hybrid & Freed Spike Hybrid

I want to talk about the Honda Freed. Okay, that car was launched in May 2008 as a 2009 model and this was the most practical Honda minivan ever made in Asia using the platform lifted from the Honda Fit/Jazz as a foundation. It was later exported in countries like Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. Then on the July of 2010, the Freed Spike debuted and it features a sporty profile and made to be more utilitarian than being a minivan. With these two gained success, the Honda Freed series welcomes them their first facelift and that's not all, Honda welcomes the Freed Hybrid and Freed Spike Hybrid in the ever growing Honda Hybrids line-up consisting the Honda Insight, Honda Fit Hybrid, Honda Fit Shuttle Hybrid, and the Honda CR-Z.

What's new on the Freed?

2012 Honda Freed Hybrid

2012 Honda Freed

2012 Honda Freed Hybrid interior

On the standard Freed, we should expect new rims depending on the grade, a revised front grille, new side view mirror, Vehicle Stability Assist, Hill Start Assist, standard three-point ELR seat belts, Plating + Clear rear combination lamps, headlight garnish, and impressive cosmetic updates on the Freed's G Aero variant. Now, they dropped the 5-seater Freed Flex variant and this model's available only in 6-seater and 7-seater variants.

The standard Freed is powered by a L15A (1.5L i-VTEC) engine that produces 118PS/6,600rpm of power output and 144Nm/4,800rpm of torque output. FF variants come with a CVT that provides them 17.0km/L of fuel economy based on Japan's 10-15 Mode test cycle. On the other hand, 4WD variants of the Freed come with the 5-speed automatic transmission that provides them 14.0km/L of fuel economy based on Japan's 10-15 Mode test cycle.

You will be able to distinguish the Freed Hybrid from the crowd of its unique front grille, HYBRID badge on the side and rear view, unique rear lamps, and the 1.5L i-VTEC engine with Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) that provides 24.0km/L of fuel econmy based on Japan's 10-15 Mode test cycle (21.6km/L on JC08 cycle).

Available in seven color variations such as Premium White Pearl, Alabaster Silver Metallic, Super Platinum Metallic, Polished Metal Metallic, Premium Blackish Pearl, Cobalt Blue Pearl, and Premium Blue Opal Metallic.

What's new on the Freed Spike?

2012 Honda Freed Spike Hybrid

2012 Honda Freed Spike

2012 Honda Freed Spike Hybrid interior

It was been there last year but the upgrades on the Freed Spike keeps this utility minivan updated such as new rims, new side view mirrors, standard armrests, Vehicle Stability Control, Hill Start Assist, standard three-point ELR seat belts, and ECON button.

The standard Freed Spike is powered by a L15A (1.5L i-VTEC) engine that produces 118PS/6,600rpm of power output and 144Nm/4,800rpm of torque output. FF variants come with a CVT that provides them 17.0km/L of fuel economy based on Japan's 10-15 Mode test cycle. On the other hand, 4WD variants of the Freed Spike come with the 5-speed automatic transmission that provides them 14.0km/L of fuel economy based on Japan's 10-15 Mode test cycle.

You will be able to distinguish the Freed Spike Hybrid from the crowd of its unique front grille, HYBRID badge on the side and rear view, unique rear lamps, and the 1.5L i-VTEC engine with Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) that provides 24.0km/L of fuel econmy based on Japan's 10-15 Mode test cycle (21.6km/L on JC08 cycle).

Available in seven color variations such as Premium White Pearl, Alabaster Silver Metallic, Super Platinum Metallic, Polished Metal Metallic, Premium Blackish Pearl, Cool Turquoise Metallic, and Premium Blue Opal Metallic.

My comment:

The addition of the Hybrid lineup on the Honda Freed and Honda Freed Spike really tries to keep this minivan update even when these two Honda minivans updated with new extras. Those minivans can be highly essential to the average Japanese families, especially the soccer moms everywhere.

Photo: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.