Third Generation Honda Freed

The Honda Freed minivan has come out with its third generation, and this car is ready to take on the “new normal.” The Freed has a new design, interior, performance, efficiency, and technology. It also comes in a hybrid version for those who want to be more environmentally friendly.

2025 Honda Freed

The all-new third-generation Honda Freed is all about being a versatile family vehicle that fits all types of lifestyles. It’s subtly stylish and has a new design, technology, performance, and efficiency. The third generation of this Honda minivan comes in a hybrid version for those looking for a more eco-friendly option. Priced at 2.508 million Yen plus additional costs, the Honda Freed is a subtle yet sleek choice for your next family car.

The boxy design of the all-new Honda Freed is a significant departure from its predecessor, and it’s sure to turn heads. It's offered in two different styles: the subtle Air and the slightly rugged Crosstar variant, which features black cladding underneath.

2025 Honda Freed interior

Inside, the all-new Freed features an N-BOX-inspired dashboard layout, a new digital instrumental display, a two-spoke steering wheel, a rather unique compartment for your tissue box, and a touchscreen infotainment system with Honda CONNECT, among others. The Freed Air variant is offered in a choice of a six-seater or a seven-seater but the Freed Crosstar, being the outdoor-oriented one, is offered only with five or six seats. It even has a modular cargo space, utility mounting points, a pegboard, and a lamp. An optional Slope for the Crosstar variant sure comes in handy for storing either a stroller or a wheelchair.

No matter which version you're on, rest assured that all seats can be folded down to your liking, whether for work or for leisure. Of course, having the third-row seats present eats away the boot space to almost never. Good for a family of four kids, but bad for boot space, just like the defunct Jade a long time ago. The sweet spot? Good luck finding one, kiddo. It's going to be a long day.

2025 Honda Freed

The all-new Freed is now offered with a 1.5-liter L15D petrol engine and a 1.5-liter e:HEV hybrid powertrain. Both of these powertrains are mated to a CVT.

The petrol variant is less powerful than the previous model and it produces 118PS of power and 142Nm of torque. The fuel economy is around 16.5km/L based on WLTC mode standards. However, the e:HEV powertrain features a 106PS 1.5-liter petrol engine bolted to a 90kW electric motor and a 48-Ah lithium-ion battery. It's less powerful than the old Freed Hybrid but the fuel economy is around 25km/L based on WLTC mode standards.

Although the performance is slightly short compared to its predecessor, the all-new Freed still feels so easy to drive, park, and live with, especially with the available 4WD system prepped for weather-related happenings. It also packs the latest Honda Sensing with autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and more.

The all-new third-generation Honda Freed hybrid minivan is the perfect vehicle for parents, no matter what kind of family you have. It’s not great in the speed department, but it is very easy to park and drive. It comes with the latest Honda Sensing technology, so you can feel secure that the Freed has your back on the road. And of course, it has that typical Japanese reliability.

Available Colors:

Freed Air: Fjord Mist Pearl, Platinum White Pearl, Luna Silver Metallic, Sonic Grey Pearl, Meteoroid Grey Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Premium Crystal Garnet Metallic, Seabed Blue Pearl, and Twilight Mist Black.

Freed Crosstar: Desert Beige Pearl, Platinum White Pearl, Sonic Grey Pearl, Meteoroid Grey Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Premium Crystal Garnet Metallic, Seabed Blue Pearl, and Twilight Mist Black.

Photo: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Second Generation Honda Freed

It's been eight years since Honda gave us a compact minivan, the Freed, which is as practical as the other recreational vehicles offered from its range. Now, the Freed has been regenerated for its second iteration and it promises to be more convenient than ever while delivering class-leading fuel consumption perfect for the long journey ahead.

2017 Honda Freed

The new, second generation, Honda Freed, is what really happens when you make one of the most practical MPVs in the market even better by adding tons of convenience, fuel efficient performance, and a host of tech to make everything meaningful for the average household. So, with the new model, what's it like to be in the new Freed?

First impressions can be somewhat average and when you look at the way it looks, you can really look at the signature "Solid Wing" face that most Hondas had since the third-generation Fit, making it very noticeable but look closely on the rear and you can see that the back looks highly reminiscent of the old Suzuki Solio you used to had a few years ago. In broad context, it looks a bit half-baked for a people carrier to have such design.

2017 Honda Freed interior

2017 Honda Freed interior

One of the most redeemable key points about the new Freed is its interior and while this is even more roomier compared to the last one, you have a lot of choices to make in terms of carrying people or stuff depending on your lifestyle. For models with third-row seating, it can be either a six or a seven seater, depending on the variant, and unless there are any soccer moms putting kids on the second row seats, whichever you'll seat on the new Freed is above average as long as you're not moaning about. Of course, if you're not a big fan of third-row seats, there's an even spacious alternative; a five seater variant called "Freed+", which trades third-row seats for bigger boot space as well as a special utility board that can separate the boot space to two rows; one at the top and one at the bottom, which is perfect to carry lots of garage sale stuff you bought on the weekends. Also, it can be useful for all kinds of trips such as fishing trips, camping trips, diving trips, bad trips, whatever trips you're having on the weekends. It's kinda like the old Spike model in so many ways and this MPV knows the customers are onto something here.

2017 Honda Freed

The new Honda Freed can be offered with a normal 1.5L petrol engine connected to a CVT gearbox or a hybrid variant with the 7-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox on it. When I said "dual clutch", Honda says it's SPORT HYBRID i-DCD (intelligent Dual Clutch Drive). I know. It's been around for three years since the Fit and it's been around in most everyday models like the Vezel, the Shuttle, the Jade, and the Grace. With such combo, fuel economy is an estimate 27.2kmpl based on the JC08 Mode standards. For the first time in a hybrid compact minivan, there is a four-wheel drive variant which is great for any weather conditions, be it rainy or snow, or road conditions.

Because it's surprisingly compact, it's just feels so easy to drive, easy to park, and easy to live with. Whether on the city center or on the open roads, the new Freed truly feels at home anywhere. It also packs Honda Sensing, which comes with lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, and blind-spot warning. Connectivity aside, the internavi service on the new Honda Freed now comes with Apple Carplay compatibility, meaning your iPhones can feel at home in this car.

Should you buy it? The new Freed starts at 1,880,000 up to 2,748,200 Yen, which sounds expensive compared to its main rival, the Toyota Sienta. Sure, both the new Freed and the Sienta are seven-seaters and they come with hybrid variants with similar fuel efficiency, but despite the comparative pricing, the new Freed is bigger and spacious compared to the Sienta and when the previous model had its share in the ASEAN market, there's high chance that the new generation Freed could make it to the ASEAN market so it can take its rivalry with the Toyota Sienta elsewhere. There's going to be a buzz from elsewhere about what's it all about the new Honda Freed anytime and it's more than enough to take it as an ideal compliment, no matter the odds.

Available colors: Blue Horizon Metallic, Citron Drop, Cobalt Blue Pearl, Premium Deep Rosso Pearl, Mandarin Gold Metallic, White Orchid Pearl, Luna Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl.

Photo: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

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.

Honda Freed Spike

While we are waiting for the Freed to arrive in the Philippines, the JDM Honda Freed uncovered its "big brother" and this sportier version is the fresh fit for the long Japanese summer getaway, despite the scorching hot weather Japanese families faced.

With temperatures rising from the streets of Tokyo and most Japanese people are heading through the hot springs, beaches, and other famous destinations, Honda has just unveiled the Freed Spike, the newest addition to the multipurpose Freed minivan.

It seems that the naming is quite obviously a "fan service" because the Freed Spike is the main successor of the squarish Honda Mobilio Spike, but the looks remain an oddity. The new Freed Spike sports the same Freed rear side and the front side combines the sporty look of the StepWGN Spada and Zest Spark, resulting into an unique sports MPV for the adventurous Japanese people on the go.

What covers most in the Freed Spike is the unique interior. At its first glance, the interior is most likely the Flex version of the Freed, which means it can only sit five people inside. Despite the capacity, the Freed Spike has a wide array of seating arrangements, with the optional rail and the cargo tray, so you can find out which arrangement is perfect for your next adventure. For those who are looking for some fun at the sun, the Freed Spike is your perfect adventure partner. It can be perfect not just for adventure, but great for small business owners as well. Imagine various possibilities when you are with the Freed Spike, which is hundreds of possibilities you can do with it!

The Freed Spike is equipped with the well-balanced 1.5L SOHC i-VTEC engine that produces 87 PS of power output, the fuel economy of 14-16.4km/L, and it includes two available transmissions such as the 5AT and CVT as well.

My thoughts about the Freed Spike:
Still as plain as the Mobilio Spike it replaces, but the Freed Spike has a wide array of seating arrangements that can be mixed and matched for your adventurous purposes. With these seating arrangements, you can find which suited for your next adventure, like for instance; on a beach trip, a hunting trip, a trip to the hot springs, a rescue mission, a delivery, or various trips you can do for the Freed Spike. We might or we might not be getting the Freed Spike to the Philippines but despite this, the Freed Spike is the good match for the scorching hot summer vacation in Japan.