Honda Motor Co. has begun sales in Japan for the all-new 2017 Honda Freed and Freed+.
The Honda Freed comes with 3-row seating while the Freed+ comes with 2-row seating, both of which are offered with a total of 16 different variants to suit drivers’ needs. The option includes a first-ever hybrid 4WD version of a compact minivan in the Japanese market and a hybrid variant for wheelchair-accessible model.
Continuing from the previous generation Honda Freed is the versatile seating arrangement, which can accommodate various needs. The interior cabin space is also the largest amongst compact minivans of its segment. The Honda Freed+, on the other hand, introduces an ultra low floor for the cargo space, which increases usability. Furthermore, the flat space also makes it possible to sleep in the vehicle itself.
Power comes from a 1.5-liter direct injection DOHC i-VTEC engine and CVT, while hybrid variants are equipped with 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle DOHC i-VTEC engine paired with SPORT HYBRID i-DCD (intelligent Dual-Clutch Drive) equipped with one-motor 7-speed DCT. Honda says that regular front wheel drive petrol models can achieve up to 19.0 km/L, while the hybrid model can achieve up to 27.2 km/L.
Hybrid models gets a downsized IPU (Intelligent Power Unit), which has been relocated beneath the first-row seats from the previous location beneath the third-row seats, freeing up more room in the cabin. This also allowed Honda to introduce a wheelchair-friendly model. In addition to that, the relocation of the IPU also enabled Honda to add a hybrid 4WD model for the first time ever.
Inside, the Honda Freed get an increased distance of 90 mm between the hip point of the first-row and third-row passengers, allowing adult passengers to be seated comfortably in all three rows. Captain seats are now fitted to 3-row/6-seat variants, with a total sliding distance of 360 mm, an increase of 120 mm over its predecessor. The first and second-row flat mode and second and third-row flat mode are available for both 6-seater and 7-seater variants of the Honda Freed. In addition to that, ease of ingress and egress was improved by increasing the width of the sliding door opening to 665 mm, a 20 mm increase compared to the first-generation Freed, and by lowering the ground height of the step-in by 15 mm to 390 mm.
As for the Freed+, the biggest difference is the cargo space where an ultra-low floor is realized and the ground height of the tailgate opening (fornt wheel drive type) was lowered to 335 mm, a 185 mm lower than that of Freed Spike, making it possible to load tall items. 60/40 split rear seats are equipped with a double folding mechanism that allows them to be stored flat.
The interior of the Honda Freed was designed using the “Natural Modern Interior” concept, aimed to create a relaxing space with good seat fabrics as well as authentic-looking wood panels. The Honda Freed+ in turn, utilizes the “Wonder Pack Interior” concept, which uses block-pattern seat fabric, high-contrast metal-effect panels and monotone-themed interior colors, setting itself apart from the regular Freed.
Honda says that drivers can select one of six light color options for both the meters and the climate control. For example, when the driver turns up the temperature, the light for the climate control changes to red, and when the user turns down the temperature, the light colour changes to blue.
A total of nine body colours are available for the Honda Freed and Freed+, which includes two new colours, namely Blue Horizon Metallic and Citron Drop. Cobalt Blue Pearl, Mandarin Gold Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic and Crystal Black Pearl remains available for the Freed and Freed+, while Premium Deep Ross Pearl and White Orchid Pearl costs more.
On top of the nine available body colours, buyers in Japan can choose between three interior colours, namely Mocha, Beige and Black. Freed+ buyers can only choose between black fabric seats and a two-tone black seat. The wheelchair-accessible variant is only available with black fabric seats, while the Freed with passenger lift up seat is only available with Mocha seats, same as the Freed with lift-up side seats.
The Honda Freed is available in 17 (no, really) different variants, with prices starting from 1,88 million yen (RM 76,017) for the Freed Type B with a 1.5-litre engine. The Freed Hybrid EX with 4WD will set buyers back for 2.72 million yen (RM 110,315).
As for the Honda Freed+, a total of 11 variants are available for Japanese buyers. The cheapest Freed+ Type B costs 1.9 million yen (RM 76,826) while the range-topping Freed+ Hybrid EX equipped with 4WD costs 2.74 million yen (RM 111,123).
Special Freed and Freed+ variants include the wheelchair-accessible variant, which costs 2.44 million yen for the regular petrol Type G, while those needing a hybrid can opt for the Freed+ Hybrid G (2.72 million yen). Honda Japan is also offering the Freed with passenger lift-up seat for 2.4 million yen and Freed with side lift-up seat (2.38 million yen Type G, 2.66 million yen Hybrid G).
Honda Motor Co. aims to sell 6,000 units of the Freed and Freed+ per month in Japan.
