Honda Freed

The Honda Freed (Japanese: ホンダ・フリード, Honda Furīdo) is a mini MPV produced by the Japanese automaker Honda since 2008. The vehicle is designed mainly for the need of Japanese consumers. It is based on the Fit/Jazz platform and acts as a replacement for the first generation Mobilio in Japan. Three different versions of the Freed are available: a six-seater version which features captain’s seats in the second row, a seven-seater version and a five-seater version. Honda also stated that a wheelchair-accessible model is offered in addition to versions with a side lift-up seat and passenger lift-up seat.

Honda Freed
2016 Honda Freed
Overview
Manufacturer	Honda
Production	2008–present
Body and chassis
Class	Mini MPV
Body style	5-door minivan
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
Chronology
Predecessor	Honda Mobilio (first generation) (Japan) Honda Mobilio Spike

In September 2009, it was announced that a hybrid version would be available by 2011.[1]

First generation (GB3/GB4/GP3; 2008–2016)

First generation (GB3/GB4/GP3)
Honda Freed (Japan; pre-facelift)
Overview
Production	2008–2016
Assembly	Japan: Sayama Plant, Sayama, Saitama Indonesia: Karawang (HPM)
Body and chassis
Related	Honda Fit/Jazz (GE) Honda City (GM2/3)
Powertrain
Engine	1.5 L L15A I4
Transmission	5-speed automatic CVT
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,740 mm (107.9 in)
Length	4,215 mm (165.9 in)
Width	1,695 mm (66.7 in)
Height	1,715 mm (67.5 in)
Curb weight	1,330 kg (2,932.1 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Honda Stream (Indonesia)

Honda Freed (Japan; pre-facelift)

Honda Freed S (Indonesia; first facelift)

Engine

The Freed is equipped with a 1.5 L engine with 118 horsepower, which is the same engine that is used in the Jazz/City, but the engine used has more torque. For example, the Freed's engine has 118 hp (88 kW) and 148 N⋅m (109 lbf⋅ft) of torque, while the Jazz/City has 120 hp (89 kW) with 145 N⋅m (107 lbf⋅ft) of torque.

Indonesia

On 21 March 2009, the first generation Freed was launched in Indonesia, the second country where the Freed was released after Japan. It is assembled at Honda Prospect Motor's Karawang plant and exported to other Southeast Asian markets. The Freed's ground clearance is 20 mm higher. For the Indonesian market, the Freed uses the 7-seater layout and a 5-speed automatic transmission instead of CVT in the Japanese domestic market version.

The Freed for the Indonesian market consists of 3 trim levels, the A, S and E. It received a facelift on 8 May 2012 and a minor update in September 2014. The E trim comes with anti pinch function on both sliding doors, retractable door mirror with turning lamps and double DIN audio monitor with iPod/iPhone compatible.

Thailand

In 2010, the Freed was launched in Thailand. It was imported from Indonesia. It was only available in four trim level (S, E, E Sport and E Sport NAVI).

Japan

The first generation Freed was available in Japan in two types; the petrol powered in G or G Aero grade and also a hybrid variant. The hybrid variant uses i-VTEC together with Honda's IMA hybrid car technology.

The facelifted Freed was launched in the Japanese market on 28 October 2011, securing sales of over 20,000 units in its first two weeks on sale, of which 63% were of the hybrid model.[2][3]

• 
  Freed Hybrid (Japan; first facelift)
• 
  Freed Hybrid (Japan; first facelift)
• 
  Honda Freed interior (with Internavi navigation display)

Freed Spike

In 2010, Honda released the 'soul twinbrother' of Freed called Freed Spike for Japanese markets only. Honda said that this car is a "compact multi-wagon" for the people with "active lifestyle."

This car features a whole different grille, headlamps and front fascia; a covered third side window, partially covered taillights and new alloy wheels. Inside, apart from the familiarly similar dashboard to Freed, it has a dual height floor in the cargo area and some additional storage areas on the side panels.[4]

• 
  Freed Spike
• 
  Freed Spike

Malaysia

On 22 April 2010, the Freed was launched in Malaysia. It was only available in one trim level (Grade E).[5] Honda Malaysia targeted to sell 1,200 units a year.

In July 2012, Honda Malaysia added a cheaper version of the Honda Freed called the Grade S. It was priced RM99,800 on-the-road with insurance. Features lost from the Grade E model were powered sliding rear doors with remote operation, automatic air conditioning, indicators for the side mirrors or intermittent wipers, tail spoiler and the Alpine DVD player.[6]

In January 2013, Honda Malaysia launched the facelifted model to Malaysia. Like before, it was available in two trim levels (Grade E and Grade S). The Grade E model gained some extra features which included leather seats, and fold-down armrests for both front seats are now available across the board (previously only the driver and two mid-row chairs had armrests).[7]

The lower spec RM99,800 Grade S is available in Brilliant White Pearl, Polished Metal Metallic and Crystal Black Pearl. The RM113,500 Grade E can only be had in Brilliant White Pearl.[7]

Hong Kong

On 23 January 2011, the Freed was officially launched in Hong Kong. Unlike other non-Japanese market models, all Freeds sold in Hong Kong are manufactured in Japan and seats 6 passengers.

• 
  Freed Hybrid (Hong Kong; second facelift)
• 
  Freed Hybrid (Hong Kong; second facelift)

Singapore

In Singapore, the Freed is available from the authorised distributor and also through parallel import distributors.[8][9]

Second generation (GB5/GB6/GB7/GB8; 2016–present)

Second generation (GB5/GB6/GB7/GB8)
Honda Freed+ (GB5; pre-facelift, Japan)
Overview
Production	2016–present
Assembly	Japan: Sayama Plant, Sayama, Saitama
Body and chassis
Related	Honda Fit/Jazz (GK) Honda City (GM4–9) Honda Vezel/HR-V (RU)
Powertrain
Engine	1.5 L L15B Earth Dreams i-VTEC I4
Transmission	7-speed automatic (hybrid) CVT
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,740 mm (107.9 in)
Length	4,265–4,295 mm (167.9–169.1 in)
Width	1,695 mm (66.7 in)
Height	1,710–1,735 mm (67.3–68.3 in)
Curb weight	1,340–1,420 kg (2,954–3,131 lb)

The second generation Freed was revealed in June 2016 and released in Japan on 16 September 2016.[10] In August 2016, the advertising campaign of the second generation Freed in Japan uses Pharrell Williams' song "Happy" from the animated film Despicable Me 2.[11]

The second generation Freed is conceived based on the "Dynamism and Functionality" theme, does not differ much in looks from its curvier predecessor. Apart from the updated grille and lights, the new Freed retains the rear sliding doors with some minor improvements.[12][13]

It is also offered in five-seater option as the Freed+, which replaced the Freed Spike in the previous generation.

On 15 December 2017, the Freed Modulo X was released in Japan. It featured a full body kit, front and rear bumpers, side skirts, and a tailgate spoiler.[14]

Facelift

The second generation Freed received its facelift and was released on 18 October 2019, as announced on 30 August 2019. The frontal section has been revised with an angular edged body coloured grille similar to the new Fit along with redesigned foglamps. In its interior, it uses a lighter trimming on the dashboard panel. Together with this facelift, the crossover SUV-inspired variant of the Freed, called Crosstar, was added.[15]

• 
  Honda Freed (pre-facelift, Japan)
• 
  Honda Freed+ (GB5; pre-facelift, Japan)
• 
  Honda Freed Hybrid G (GB7; facelift, Japan)
• 
  Honda Freed Hybrid G (GB7; facelift, Japan)
• 
  Honda Freed+ Crosstar (GB5; facelift, Japan)
• 
  Honda Freed Hybrid Crosstar (GB7; facelift, Japan)
• 
  Honda Freed Hybrid Modulo X (GB7, Japan)
• 
  Honda Freed Hybrid Modulo X (GB7, Japan)
• 
  Honda Freed+ Hybrid EX interior (Japan)

Sales

Calendar year	Japan	Indonesia	Thailand
2009		8,900[16]
2010	95,123[17]	13,500[16]
2011	67,736[18]	10,112[16]
2012	106,316[19]	19,811[20]
2013	76,818[21]	18,595[22]
2014	54,313[23]	6,517[22]	3,251[24]
2015	41,091[25]	3,288[26]	788[27]
2016	52,202[28]	617[29]
2017	104,405[30]
2018	84,121[31]
2019	85,596[32]

References

1. Honda to introduce Freed hybrid in 2011
2. New Honda Freed scores 20k orders in 2 weeks
3. "New Honda Freed Released in Indonesia". Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
4. New Honda Freed Spike "Lifestyle" Minivan Debuts in Japan
5. Tan, Danny (22 April 2010). "Honda Freed "premium compact MPV" – RM112,980". paultan.org. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
6. Lim, Anthony (5 July 2012). "Honda Freed – new Grade S variant debuts, RM100k". paultan.org. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
7. Tan, Danny (31 January 2013). "Honda Freed MPV facelifted – RM99,800 to RM113,500". paultan.org. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
8. "And then, they were Freed!". Retrieved 20 September 2009.
9. "Honda Freed Review in Singapore". Retrieved 15 December 2009.
10. Honda Begins Sales in Japan of All-New Freed and Freed+ Compact Minivan
11. フリード 「リアルな声」篇 ティザー② 30秒
12. All-new Honda Freed launched in Japan, priced between RM76k to RM110k
13. "Honda Freed specs". Goo-net Exchange.
14. "Honda Freed Modulo X officially launched in Japan". Paul Tan's Automotive News. 15 December 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
15. 「FREED/FREED+」の改良モデルをホームページで先行公開
16. "Honda Freed Tembus Angka Penjualan 50.000 Unit Di Indonesia". Honda Indonesia. 12 December 2012. Archived from the original on 23 February 2020. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
17. "2010 Japan: Best-Selling Car Models". Car Sales Statistics. 17 January 2011. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
18. "2011 Full Year Best-Selling Car Models in Japan". Car Sales Statistics. 11 January 2012. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
19. "2012 (Full Year) Japan: Best-Selling Car Models". Car Sales Statistics. 10 January 2013. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
20. "2012, Honda Catatkan Rekor Penjualan di Indonesia". Republika Online. 8 January 2013. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
21. "2013 (Full Year) Japan: Best-Selling Car Models". Car Sales Statistics. 9 January 2014. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
22. "Penjualan Freed Dalam Negeri Telah Dihentikan". Semisena.com (in Indonesian). 30 September 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
23. "2014 (Full Year) Japan: Best-Selling Car Models". Car Sales Statistics. 8 January 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
24. "Sales Report เจาะลึกยอดขายรถยนต์รวมปี 2557 ที่ละเอียดที่สุดในไทย". HeadLight Magazine (in Thai). 1 February 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
25. "2015 (Full Year) Japan: 30 Best-Selling Car Models". Car Sales Statistics. 8 January 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
26. Mediatama, Grahanusa (13 April 2016). "Ini penyebab penjualan Honda Freed terus menukik". kontan.co.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 23 February 2020.
27. "Exclusive Sales Report เจาะลึกยอดขายรถยนต์รวม ปี 2558 / 2015 ที่ละเอียดที่สุดในไทย". HeadLight Magazine (in Thai). 10 June 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
28. "2016 (Full Year) Japan: 30 Best-Selling Car Models". Car Sales Statistics. 11 January 2017. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
29. VIVA, PT VIVA MEDIA BARU- (2 February 2017). "Freed Setop Produksi, Penjualan Sienta Melejit - VIVA". www.viva.co.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 23 February 2020.
30. "2017 (Full Year) Japan: Best-Selling Car Models and Mini Cars". Car Sales Statistics. 11 January 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
31. "2018 (Full Year) Japan: Best-Selling Car Models and Mini Cars". Car Sales Statistics. 10 January 2019. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
32. "2019 (Full Year) Japan: Best-Selling Car Models". Car Sales Statistics. 9 January 2020. Retrieved 23 February 2020.

External links

• Official website