All-new 2024 Honda Freed launched in Japan - 1.5L NA and hybrid variants from equivalent of RM 74k

More than a month after its official unveiling, Honda Japan has launched the all-new Honda Freed. The third-generation Freed is radically designed inside and out with a blocky-looking exterior and a modern but simple interior

Two powertrain options are available for the all-new Freed which are the naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre L15D (118 PS/142 Nm) and the e:HEV hybrid system which combines a 1.5-litre NA unit (106 PS/127 Nm) with a front-mounted electric motor (123 PS/253 Nm).

The all-new Freed is available in 3 seating configurations – 5-, 6-, or 7-seater configurations. The 5-seater option is only available for the Crosstar variant with the third-row seats completely removed for modular cargo space to fit a mattress and features utility mounting points, a pegboard, and a two-tiered boot to store gear during camping trips.

This 5-seater variant is also the basis for the wheelchair-accessible Freed Crosstar Slope variant which has a remote-controlled ramp.

For those who think the Freed Crosstar looks too adventurous, there is the standard Freed Air range which looks like a mini Stepwgn with all the outdoorsy cladding removed. Aside from the exterior though, both the Air and Crosstar share similar interior features with the former only available in 6- or 7-seater configurations.

The interior shows Honda’s ‘man maximum, machine minimum’ design ethos with a roomy space to store a bicycle. There are numerous storage spaces and door pockets inside as well as charging ports located on the back of the front seats.

The all-new Freed comes with fabric materials which Honda claims are designed to be water- and oil-resistant. Handy for those with active kids and those with active outdoorsy lifestyles.

The controls and the gear selector are placed high for the driver and there are now two screens on the dashboard, a free-standing large infotainment head unit and a fully digital instrument cluster behind the two-spoke steering wheel.

The all-new Freed comes standard with the Honda Sensing ADAS suite which includes autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, and lane keep assist.

The all-new third-gen Honda Freed is priced between JPY 2.5 million to JPY 3.43 million (~RM 74k-101k). Honda Malaysia never brought in the second-generation Freed with only the first-generation being the only officially available generation. Do you hope that this third-gen might spell a comeback for the Freed in the country?