Vehicle: 2011 Honda Freed
Price as tested: CDN$25500 (Estimated)
Performance: Is the Freed able to redefine what the compact people mover as what Honda does with their Fit? Or is the Freed just a Fit with an extra row? We will have the answer after this test drive.
The Freed, as we have said, is based on Fit’s strong underpinnings. That means it receives the same heart as its silibing. That said, it has the identical 1.5 liter 16-valve 4-cylinder SOHC with Honda’s well-known variable valve timing with intelligence called i-VTEC. Which means this engine has 118 ponies and 107 lb/ft of torque at driver’s right foot. While you won’t be able to drag race a sports car with this little Freed, its more than capable for its status-in-life as a compact people mover even have to carry 1280kg of curb weight. CVT is the only gearbox available on the Freed. Without CVT, Freed would be more sluggish than what we expect. However, CVT’s utmost efficiency and economy really do help with Freed’s overall performance. Apart from typical Honda refinement and smoothness, there is a real drawback with Freed’s powertrain. That’s the rather noisy acceleration with the CVT gearbox. If Honda is able to engineer a paddle shifters on the steering or even manumatic mode, driver can control its rpm with less racket-like.
Handling: The Fit has been well-known for its exceptional handling and ride compromise. Freed haven’t lost anything to the Fit, dynamically. While there are more body rolls and understeer when pushed Freed into corners. It remains a very composed and balanced ride, even with higher center-of-gravity and slightly softer suspension. As with most Honda, its very much fun-to-drive. The steering has nice feel and feedback, with good precision. It has tracked its path relatively well. When it comes to ride comfort, it rates as some of the bests in the segment. The suspension is comfortably compliant which absorb all the bumps and roughness surprisingly well. If there is one drawback, its the elevated seating position. It feels like driving on top instead of inside a car, which tends to exaggreate its body rolls and understeer.
Brakes: With front discs, rear drums and standard ABS; Freed’s braking performance has done surprisingly well too. The stopping distance is short, while pedal feels firm and well-modulated. ABS doesn’t step in unnecesarily while pedal remains fade-free.
Interior: Given Freed’s physical dimensions, its 3rd row feels surprisingly well. Just like many of those compact people mover, the 3rd row is a neither/nor kinda affair. If you have to sit 2 more people, luggage area is pretty much non-existence. Fold the 3rd row onto the side, Freed has a decent amount of cargo space given its size.
The 2nd row continues to sit comfotably for 2 persons thanks to those well-foamed bucket seats with armrests. As with most of these compact people mover, the 2nd row passengers have to leave in order to let 3rd row get in and out.
In front, its interior quality is good enough for Freed’s price. The materials are decent while panel gaps are tight. All the auto climate control and stereo are initutive, while instrumentation gauges are clear and analog. If there is one drawback, its the thick A-pillars which have blocked some visibility to the front. That means you won’t be able to see anything right from the A-pillars to the hood. Get used to its visibility or kiss your front bumper “good bye”.
Conclusion: As for the questions I posted on the top. The Freed is more than only a Fit with the 3rd row of seats. Its a Fit with so much more. It has more interior space, more interior amenities and even more understated styling. In fact, it has set a new standard when it comes to compact people mover.
OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2011 Honda Freed
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Performance: 4/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 4/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5
Value-for-money: 3/5
Overall rating: 4/5