SUVs are practical and all, but the truth is, MPVs offer that bit more flexibility. It’s no surprise that that Japan is in love with them as these offer maximum space efficiency in a relatively limited footprint.
One of the more popular models over there is the Honda Freed. A few months ago, it made its Japanese premiere. No specs were revealed just yet, but Honda Japan has begun opening it up to customers and the full list is here
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In Japan, there are three main trim levels for the Honda Freed. It kicks off with the Air, followed by the Air EX, and topped off by the Crosstar. The Crosstar serves as the higher-riding version of this minivan, gaining SUV-like styling along the way.
For interior configurations, there are three on hand. There’s the standard five-seater, but there’s also a seven-seater option available. But for those who’d like to have individual seating, there’s also one with six seats that replaces the second-row bench with captain chairs. Of course, the Air, Air EX, and Crosstar all have their respective interior treatments.
Moving to equipment, Honda Connect is standard, as well as Honda Sensing. The automaker adds that the front seats have more support in them, while the slimmer backrests make it ‘easy to look after children from the first to second row.’
Also, there is a USB port mounted behind the front seat’s backrests. There are stacks of storage bins at the front, namely on the dash top, dash fascia, and additional trays on the lower half of the dash. Rear roller shades are standard in all variants for added sun protection and privacy.
There are two powertrain options available for the Freed. There’s the familiar 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine that powers most of Honda’s subcompact cars these days. That engine is good for 118hp and 142Nm of torque and shifts with a CVT. Meanwhile, there’s the 1.5-liter e:HEV with its electrified mill producing a combined output of 129hp and up to 253Nm of torque. All-wheel drive is an option for both.
In Japan, prices for the Honda Freed start at ¥2,508,000 for the standard, non-hybrid Air variant. It then goes as high at ¥3,437,500 for the top-spec Crosstar e:HEV AWD. In local currency, you’re looking at around P913,000 to P1,250,000, sans local taxes, of course.
