2016 Honda Freed – dual-clutch hybrid, Honda Sensing

Honda recently released more information on the all-new Freed on its Japanese webpage, which includes a first look at the MPV’s interior, powertrain options and technology.

The new Freed will measure 4,265 mm in length, making it 50 mm longer than its predecessor (4,215 mm). By comparison, the current Toyota Avanza measures 4,190-mm long, while the soon-to-be-introduced Toyota Sienta is 4,235-mm long.

The increased length appears to have an impact on the MPV’s cabin, because Honda says that the distance between the seat rows (first to second and second to third) is 90 mm, each. Furthermore, the sliding second-row seats, available as a bench or a pair of captain chairs, can provide up to 120 mm of space.

Moving on to the car’s powertrain offerings, all Freeds will be offered with all-wheel drive for the Japanese market. Non-hybrid models will employ a direct-injected 1.5L i-VTEC DOHC petrol engine, whereas hybrid models get the company’s Sport Hybrid i-DCD.

The hybrid powertrain features the company’s dual-clutch transmission, replacing the outgoing Freed Hybrid’s CVT unit. First revealed at the 2012 Earth Dreams Technology showcase, the unit is said to provide low fuel consumption, although it is not stated if non-hybrid variants of the Freed will benefit from it.

In terms of technology, the Freed now comes with the Honda Sensing suite, which is linked to a millimetre-wave radar and a monocular camera. Features such as Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning and Collision Mitigation Braking System are part of the suite, although it isn’t stated what the Freed will come with.

For the Japanese market, the Honda Freed will be offered in two models – Freed and Freed+ – as either a five-, six- or seven-seater. Nine colours are offered for the JDM as well – Citron Drop, Cobalt Blue Pearl, Premium Deep Rosso Pearl, Mandarin Gold Metallic, White Orchid Pearl, Luna Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic and Crystal Black Pearl.

The previous Freed made its way into the Malaysian market in 2010. In 2013, two variants of the facelifted version were launched, priced at RM99,800 and RM113,500. Poor demand for the MPV saw Honda Malaysia discontinue sales of it here. Do you think the new Freed should be offered here as an alternative to the Toyota Sienta?

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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard’s strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • Budget MPV must sell below RM 80K.

    Affordable Avanza/Livina is a very good example to follow.

    Anything above RM 90k (like Rush) will fail miserably.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 22 Thumb down 0
    • Same L0rr on Aug 09, 2016 at 3:11 pm

      Buy Toyoa Sienta better! Good RV! No buy KIA, Hyundai, Cherolet, Ford, Volkwagen & Proton! Bad bad bad RV!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 14
      • Doubt Sienta will be selling well. Pity the 3rd row passenger’s leg has to put below the seat in front.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
    • Ex VGM staff on Aug 09, 2016 at 3:40 pm

      This time I think freed will be a JDM only.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
  • At that price….dont waste effort.

    Its price at City level is ok.

    Should bring in Stepwagon.

    Ditch Stream and this la

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
    • crash on Aug 09, 2016 at 7:13 pm

      I wish they bring in the Honda Jade, not stepwagon though. I am sick of seeing too much of Estima and Vellfire on the road.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 3
  • If it comes with the Honda Sensing…..it surely will be a plus selling point unlike the Honda Civic, it was taken off due to our country pricing structure to be competitive in the segment.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
    • Susukotak on Aug 09, 2016 at 8:43 pm

      No use la. Our road no marking. Pedestrian walk talk and run as the road for them. Lot of junction not in the maps.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • inb4 dual clutch will hailat in M Y weather…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • crash on Aug 09, 2016 at 7:14 pm

      Agree.
      Give us back the CVT. This is an MPV, smooth and linear acceleration is always prefered .

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • hailthepurist on Aug 09, 2016 at 11:50 am

    dct sure wins..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • t2357s on Aug 09, 2016 at 12:15 pm

    The previous Freed was wrongly positioned. It was labelled as a “Premium compact MPV” but it lacked ANY premium features. It was priced higher than the competition given it’s “Premium” name sake, but the equipment list was not better than it competition. It is no surprise that it was not well received.

    I do believe there is a market for a small MPV with features similar to the new Civic. Not everyone wants to drive an MPV the size Odyssey or Estima/Previa just to get the features. However, this market is going to small. The mass market would go for Avanza, Alza, Sienta, etc. My guess is, Honda won’t bring it into Malaysia given the small volume.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 2
  • Yes, with the improved internal spaces, especially the third row seats. but make sure it is lauch with a sensible pricing unlike the previous (1st Gen.) pricing, which is one of the reason it didn’t do well also with the lack of kit in the 1st place…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • tok adi on Aug 09, 2016 at 2:13 pm

    with a proper and correct pricing, i don’t have any doubt that it will sell well here

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0
  • FIST (Member) on Aug 09, 2016 at 3:26 pm

    just price it right. it should only be around city price

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • lilytan on Aug 09, 2016 at 4:49 pm

    Previous Freed is more of a freak design wise. This one is better. Its a B segment MPV. So it should be priced among city n jazz. Should be less than 100k (80k – 99k).

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Mobilio on Aug 09, 2016 at 10:54 pm

    This Honda Freed reminds me of the so-called Honda Mobilio (1st gen) which had been sold in Japan only. This will be a good premium compact MPV.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • camtakpro on Aug 10, 2016 at 8:02 am

    Isn’t that they are having endless issue on its Jazz dual-clutch else where?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • ASHRAF on Oct 20, 2016 at 12:57 pm

    i really hope that new honda freed 2016 will available in malaysia soon completed with HONDA SENSING technology.
    For me without honda sensing, freed was nothing special compared to toyota sienta.
    Otherwise toyota sienta will be my choice.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • i really hope that new honda freed 2016 will be available in malaysia soon completed with HONDA SENSING technology. For me without honda sensing, ‘freed’ was nothing special compared to toyota sienta. Otherwise toyota sienta will be my choice.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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