May 9, 2026 marks the 2nd anniversary of Honda’s new Freed (3rd generation). Lifetime fuel efficiency of the e:HEV revealed after driving over 34,000 km and the true value of the “3-row, 6-seater” that is not found in the competing Sienta | Creative Trend

2026-05-09

May 9, 2026 is the day the third generation Freed was unveiled to the world for the first time.

More than 1 year and 10 months have passed since it was delivered to me in June 2024, Honda New FREED e:HEV CROSSTAR (GT6), 3-row, 6-seater[2WD].

The mileage of this model has exceeded 34,000km, and is expected to reach 37,000km to 38,000km two years after delivery.

It’s actually been exactly two years since the new Freed was unveiled to the world for the first time on May 9, 2024.

Time flies…This time, let’s take a look back at how this model has evolved, including its features.

The new Freed has three major grade configurations.

Let’s take a look at the current Freed again.

Many Freed cars are now running around town, and many people are probably already familiar with them.

The Freed has undergone a full model change as its third generation, and there are three grades available: AIR/AIR EX with 5 numbers and a normal body, and CROSSTAR with 3 numbers and a crossover style.

AIR/AIR EX is the grade that a relatively large number of people purchase and subscribe to, and its plain and mild appearance is its selling point.

There are only two seating layouts available: 3-row, 6-seater and 3-row, 7-seater, but a 2-row, 5-seater is scheduled to be added around the summer of 2026.

When this model was first announced and released, it was quite popular overall, but especially the 3-row, 6-seater version of the e:HEV AIR EX features an adaptive driving beam.[ADB]or multi-view camera[MVC]Reverse exit support, Active cornering lights[ACL]Due to the extensive range of set manufacturer options, delivery time was reduced to 6 months.
*From the 2025 model, this set manufacturer option can be selected for other grades as well.

At that time, the shortage of semiconductors and parts must have been resolved to some extent, but the Freed was Honda’s main model, and demand for switching from the previous Freed was high, so it seems that there were many backorders.

One of the selling points of the Freed is that it has a 3-row, 6-seater, which is not available in the Sienta.

Next up is CROSSTAR, an outdoor-oriented 3-number model.

This model is available in two types: a 2-row 5-seater and a 3-row 6-seater, and I also purchased the CROSSTAR 3-row 6-seater.

The competing model, the Toyota Sienta, does not have a 3-row, 6-seater configuration, and the second row has separate left and right seats (captain seats), making it a useful car for long drives.

The “exquisite ease of maneuverability” that is not found in mid-sized minivans is also attractive.

Also, unlike mid-sized minivans and large-sized minivans, the body size is extremely compact, making it easy to maneuver.

In particular, when I’m picking up and dropping off my wife for a tea ceremony event, and the event venue is a deep, narrow country road, or I’m driving on a historic compact road in places like Kyoto, mid-sized or larger minivans aren’t very convenient, so one of the benefits is that a Freed or Sienta is just the right size.

By the way, the image above was taken when I visited Luan Akagane Resort Kyoto Higashiyama 1925 in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture (a store that appeared in the drama “Grand Maison Tokyo Special”) on my way back from my wife’s tea ceremony event.The street is narrow anyway, and the paid parking space is also small, so I am glad I visited it again on a free trip.

Page 2: What is the fuel efficiency of the e:HEV adopted from the new Freed?