Honda Freed: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Honda Freed in this catalogue spans two Compact Van generations: the first from May 2008 to September 2011 and the second from September 2016 to September 2019. Each generation contains four versions, all using a 1,496 cc Inline four-cylinder engine, but their outputs, transmissions, drive systems, weights, and performance differ substantially.
The Honda Freed in this catalogue spans two Compact Van generations: the first from May 2008 to September 2011 and the second from September 2016 to September 2019. Each generation contains four versions, all using a 1,496 cc Inline four-cylinder engine, but their outputs, transmissions, drive systems, weights, and performance differ substantially. The first-generation buyer chooses among an 88 hp Hybrid 1.5 CVT and 118 hp Gasoline versions with CVT or 5-speed Automatic transmissions. The second generation raises output to 110 hp for the Hybrid 1.5 I-Shift and 131 hp for the Gasoline 1.5 CVT. In practical terms, the quickest recorded choice is the second-generation 110 hp 1.5 I-Shift FWD at 10.5 seconds to 100 km/h, while the lightest is the first-generation 118 hp 1.5 CVT FWD at 1,270 kg.
Honda Freed generations: what changed?
The first-generation Honda Freed was produced from May 2008 through September 2011 as a Compact Van, with four listed versions. All have 1,496 cc, naturally aspirated Inline four-cylinder engines with four valves per cylinder and Distributed injection (multi-point). The Hybrid 1.5 CVT develops 88 hp and 135 Nm, while the three Gasoline alternatives develop 118 hp and 144 Nm. The generation offers both FWD and AWD, a Variable transmission on three versions, and a 5-speed Automatic on the 1.5 AT AWD.
The second-generation Honda Freed covered September 2016 through September 2019, again as a Compact Van with four versions. Its 1,496 cc, naturally aspirated Inline four-cylinder engines use Direct injection (direct), with four valves per cylinder. The Hybrid 1.5 I-Shift produces 110 hp and 134 Nm and uses a 7-speed Robotic gearbox; the Gasoline 1.5 CVT produces 131 hp and 155 Nm with a Variable transmission. Both powertrains are listed with FWD and AWD.
Compared with the first-generation Hybrid, the second-generation Hybrid gains 22 hp but loses 1 Nm. Its specific output rises from about 58.8 hp per litre to about 73.5 hp per litre. The second-generation Gasoline engine adds 13 hp and 11 Nm over the first-generation Gasoline engine, increasing specific output from about 78.9 to 87.6 hp per litre.
Honda Freed engine specs and version comparison
Because identical version names occur with different drive systems, the drive and power output are included below to keep every version unambiguous.
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 1.5 CVT, Hybrid FWD | 88 hp | 135 Nm | 1,496 cc | Hybrid, 95 | 4, Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
| First generation 1.5 AT, Gasoline AWD | 118 hp | 144 Nm | 1,496 cc | Gasoline, 92 | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Automatic | AWD |
| First generation 1.5 CVT, Gasoline FWD | 118 hp | 144 Nm | 1,496 cc | Gasoline, 92 | 4, Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
| First generation 1.5 CVT, Gasoline AWD | 118 hp | 144 Nm | 1,496 cc | Gasoline, 92 | 4, Inline | No | Variable | AWD |
| Second generation 1.5 I-Shift, Hybrid FWD | 110 hp | 134 Nm | 1,496 cc | Hybrid, 95 | 4, Inline | No | 7-speed Robotic | FWD |
| Second generation 1.5 I-Shift, Hybrid AWD | 110 hp | 134 Nm | 1,496 cc | Hybrid, 95 | 4, Inline | No | 7-speed Robotic | AWD |
| Second generation 1.5 CVT, Gasoline FWD | 131 hp | 155 Nm | 1,496 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 4, Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
| Second generation 1.5 CVT, Gasoline AWD | 131 hp | 155 Nm | 1,496 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 4, Inline | No | Variable | AWD |
The Gasoline engine is the stronger option within either generation. In the first generation, its 118 hp exceeds the Hybrid’s 88 hp by 30 hp, and its 144 Nm exceeds 135 Nm by 9 Nm. In the second generation, the Gasoline 1.5 CVT has 21 hp and 21 Nm more than the Hybrid 1.5 I-Shift.
Performance, mpg, and economy data
| Generation and version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 1.5 CVT, Hybrid FWD, 88 hp | 12.3 s | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| First generation 1.5 AT, Gasoline AWD, 118 hp | 12.9 s | 170 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| First generation 1.5 CVT, Gasoline FWD, 118 hp | 12.3 s | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| First generation 1.5 CVT, Gasoline AWD, 118 hp | not measured | 170 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation 1.5 I-Shift, Hybrid FWD, 110 hp | 10.5 s | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation 1.5 I-Shift, Hybrid AWD, 110 hp | 10.9 s | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation 1.5 CVT, Gasoline FWD, 131 hp | 11.8 s | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation 1.5 CVT, Gasoline AWD, 131 hp | 12.9 s | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
No city, highway, or combined fuel-consumption figure was measured for any listed Honda Freed version, so the data cannot support an mpg ranking between Hybrid and Gasoline choices. The only measured top-speed figures are 170 km/h for the first-generation 1.5 AT Gasoline AWD and 170 km/h for the first-generation 1.5 CVT Gasoline AWD.
Acceleration provides a clearer comparison. The second-generation 1.5 I-Shift Hybrid FWD reaches 100 km/h in 10.5 seconds, 0.4 seconds ahead of its AWD counterpart. With the second-generation Gasoline 1.5 CVT, the FWD version records 11.8 seconds and the AWD version 12.9 seconds, a difference of 1.1 seconds. Despite producing 21 hp less, the second-generation Hybrid FWD is 1.3 seconds quicker to 100 km/h than the Gasoline FWD in the supplied measurements.
Honda Freed weight, ground clearance, tank, and wheel sizes
| Generation and version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Weight per horsepower | Ground clearance | Tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 1.5 CVT, Hybrid FWD, 88 hp | 1,390 kg | not measured | about 15.8 kg/hp | 150 mm | 42 L | not measured |
| First generation 1.5 AT, Gasoline AWD, 118 hp | 1,360 kg | not measured | about 11.5 kg/hp | 150 mm | 42 L | not measured |
| First generation 1.5 CVT, Gasoline FWD, 118 hp | 1,270 kg | not measured | about 10.8 kg/hp | 150 mm | 42 L | not measured |
| First generation 1.5 CVT, Gasoline AWD, 118 hp | 1,360 kg | not measured | about 11.5 kg/hp | 150 mm | 42 L | not measured |
| Second generation 1.5 I-Shift, Hybrid FWD, 110 hp | 1,400 kg | not measured | about 12.7 kg/hp | 135 mm | 36 L | not measured |
| Second generation 1.5 I-Shift, Hybrid AWD, 110 hp | 1,480 kg | not measured | about 13.5 kg/hp | 150 mm | 36 L | not measured |
| Second generation 1.5 CVT, Gasoline FWD, 131 hp | 1,340 kg | not measured | about 10.2 kg/hp | 135 mm | 36 L | not measured |
| Second generation 1.5 CVT, Gasoline AWD, 131 hp | 1,410 kg | not measured | about 10.8 kg/hp | 150 mm | 36 L | not measured |
The first-generation 118 hp 1.5 CVT FWD has the lowest kerb weight at 1,270 kg. Its AWD counterpart weighs 90 kg more. In the second generation, choosing AWD adds 80 kg to the Hybrid 1.5 I-Shift and 70 kg to the Gasoline 1.5 CVT.
The best calculated weight-to-power result belongs to the second-generation 131 hp 1.5 CVT FWD at about 10.2 kg per horsepower. The first-generation 118 hp 1.5 CVT FWD follows at about 10.8 kg per horsepower, essentially matching the second-generation 131 hp AWD version on this measure.
Ground clearance is 150 mm on every first-generation version and both second-generation AWD versions. The second-generation FWD versions have 135 mm, giving the AWD alternatives 15 mm more clearance. Tank capacity falls from 42 L in the first generation to 36 L in the second, a reduction of 6 L. Gross weight and wheel sizes were not measured for any version, so weight capacity and wheel-size comparisons cannot be made.
Which Honda Freed version should you choose?
For the quickest measured acceleration, choose the second-generation 1.5 I-Shift Hybrid FWD with 110 hp. Its 10.5-second result is the best in the catalogue, and its 1,400 kg kerb weight is 80 kg below the AWD 1.5 I-Shift. The trade-off is 135 mm of ground clearance rather than 150 mm.
For the strongest engine and best calculated weight-to-power ratio, choose the second-generation 1.5 CVT Gasoline FWD with 131 hp and 155 Nm. It delivers about 87.6 hp per litre and carries about 10.2 kg per horsepower. However, its measured 0–100 km/h time is 11.8 seconds, so the higher engine output does not make it the quickest recorded version.
For AWD with the fastest measured acceleration, the second-generation 1.5 I-Shift Hybrid AWD is the leading choice at 10.9 seconds to 100 km/h. It weighs 1,480 kg, making it the heaviest listed Freed, but it provides 150 mm of ground clearance.
For the lowest kerb weight, select the first-generation 1.5 CVT Gasoline FWD with 118 hp. At 1,270 kg, it is 120 kg lighter than the first-generation Hybrid and 70 kg lighter than the second-generation Gasoline FWD. Its 12.3-second acceleration matches the first-generation Hybrid while offering 30 hp more.
For a first-generation AWD model with a measured top speed, both the 118 hp 1.5 AT and the 118 hp 1.5 CVT are listed at 170 km/h. Both weigh 1,360 kg, have 150 mm of clearance, and use a 42 L tank. Their main recorded distinction is transmission type: the 1.5 AT has a 5-speed Automatic, while the 1.5 CVT has a Variable transmission. Acceleration is 12.9 seconds for the 1.5 AT and not measured for the AWD 1.5 CVT.
No reliability, problem, price, interior-dimension, fuel-consumption, gross-weight, or wheel-size measurements are present in the supplied data. Those factors therefore cannot determine the recommendation. On the available numbers alone, the second-generation 1.5 I-Shift Hybrid FWD is the acceleration choice, the second-generation 1.5 CVT Gasoline FWD is the power-to-weight choice, and the first-generation 1.5 CVT Gasoline FWD is the low-kerb-weight choice.