The all-new Honda Freed has a cooler design and is more refined than before, making it a compelling proposition to family men and women.
Media test drives typically precede the point at which new models become mainstream hits by a fair bit. But in the case of the all-new Honda Freed, not even two days had passed before we saw a third unit on the roads.
That both points now overlap feels like a testament to the excitement that preceded the arrival of this special model. Clearly, many want the proposition it offers and wish to receive their keys as soon as possible.
“Special” seems hyperbolic given how plain and ordinary the Freed has thus far been. But therein lies its superpower – it’s so sensible and universally appreciable that its ubiquity on our roads is rivalled by few; its name even familiar to non-drivers.
If you don’t own one, your neighbour probably does. If your neighbour doesn’t drive one, they may have hopped at least once into its spacious backseat. Only the Toyota Sienta Hybrid can match the Freed’s promise of ferrying a three-generation family around with the ease and economy of a compact sedan.
A CHARMER
The previous Freed officially retailed by agent Kah Motor in 2024 was rough around the edges. The all-new one is totally different. With its fresher styling and hybrid powertrain, the Freed e:HEV is vastly improved and far more appealing than before.
The undeniable highlights are the car’s headlights and tail-lights, which give the new Freed its neat distinctiveness.
The oblong shapes of the former flank an eye-mask-resembling glossy black strip that could give Batman a run for his money, while the latter are even more intriguing: Stacked, rounded cubes arranged in a cage-like aesthetic that wouldn’t have looked to out place back in the 1980s.
KEEPING IT SIMPLE
Apart from its exterior design, the Freed’s thoroughly refreshed interior is equally inviting. As budget-oriented as the car is, the designers have done a fantastic job with the shapes, space and materials to elevate the surroundings.
Carried by the same spirit of mixing the retro with the present, there is just the right number of modern screens (two) to give the dashboard a contemporary feel.
The vibrant driver’s display – elevated over the previous instrument cluster with its Casio calculator-like digits – is proof that simple interfaces and intuitive layouts work. There’s no need to second-guess icons or fiddle to arrive at a certain desired function or menu.
Normally, gripes about an aftermarket head unit would be valid, but the locally fitted one here blends well with the setup. It has a bright and responsive touchscreen, and most importantly, supports Apple CarPlay wirelessly.
At the same time, the unbeatable utility of well laid-out physical buttons has not been forgotten. There are proper dials for both climate temperature and fan speed (hurrah!), too.
The driver can control the rear blower, while an electronic parking brake replaces the previous foot-operated one. Best of all, the switchgear feels robust, and while the lack of soft-touch materials and vanity lights on the sunshades remind you of the Freed’s entry-level positioning, the fit and finish are faultless.
FERRY DUTIES
Like any good MPV, the Freed is highly practical, with a smattering of storage spaces around its cabin, and well-placed cupholders dotting every row (there are three in front). There are even USB-C chargers integrated into its front seats. You’ll never have to fear your second-row passengers bothering you, since their phones will always be fully charged.
Like its predecessor, this new Freed remains the leader of its segment in terms of passenger comfort. Powered doors slide open to reveal 60:40 split-folding second row seats, which mean the middle passenger gets a properly moulded seat. If there are only two occupants, a central armrest divides the space nicely as well. Oh, and the front passenger also gets his own armrest, too.
Even if you’ve lost a bet and find yourself relegated to the last row of seats, getting and settling isn’t tricky. The tumble-forward second-row seats make entry and exit a cinch, while the Freed’s tall body means that even if shoulder room and legroom aren’t outstanding, at least headroom is.
REFINEMENT TO THE FORE
Whereas the previous Freed was arguably made weaker by its drivetrain, the new one is now an integral part of its excellence. On paper, the 130bhp output of the Freed e:HEV is effectively level with the 129bhp managed by its predecessor. But things are very different now that there are two electric motors assisting the engine.
The slight kick of instant torque from a standstill gives the car a pep that the previous Freed thoroughly lacked. And the electric motors are almost zealous, providing a slight initial boost when you need to get the Freed up to speed, while also being keen to take over light propulsion duties during coasting.
Only when you mash the accelerator pedal does the engine return to life. But even so, the new e-CVT mated to the car’s engine is far smoother and quieter than before. So, even when fully loaded, the Freed never really feels like it’s heaving.
Alongside the improved drivetrain, other parts of the driving experience continue to shine. Ride quality is impressive regardless of how full the car is, while the brakes are pleasantly and linearly weighted to give the driver confidence.
P-plate holders should have nothing to fear given the Freed’s size, but even then, ADAS such as adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assistance help make things breezier.
The Freed also handles decently and its light steering is not completely devoid of feedback. However, its slowness means drivers will instinctively refrain from pushing it too hard.
But perhaps most importantly for would-be owners, the Freed delivers strongly on fuel economy. Without hypermiling, we averaged 19.6km/L – exactly as claimed by Honda – over a four-day drive. With a 42-litre tank, this potentially means a range of over 800km.
A CUTE PROPOSITION
Just like watching your favourite football team tick off every improvement you desire of them brings an inexplicable rush of satisfaction, the targeted upgrades in the new Freed are likely to further delight fans of its brand of compact practicality.
The same template hasn’t changed drastically, so those in the mood for flashiness and pizzazz are better served by something else.
The Freed has managed to cater to the everyman’s palate, which is arguably the toughest to satisfy. With its added sophistication and newfound electrification, the Freed e:HEV has mastered the notion of universal appeal even more deftly than before.
Honda Freed e:HEV HE7 1.5 (A)
ENGINE 1498cc, 16-valves, inline-4, petrol-electric hybrid
MAX POWER 130bhp
MAX TORQUE 253Nm
POWER TO WEIGHT 87.8bhp per tonne
GEARBOX e-CVT
0-100KM/H Not available
TOP SPEED Not available
CONSUMPTION 19.6km/L
PRICE INCL. COE From $183,999
AGENT Kah Motor
