The overall 2024-2025 Japan Car of the Year (JCOTY) is the Honda Freed, the first Honda to win the award since the CR-Z in 2010. The third-gen mini MPV topped a list that included (in descending order) the Mazda CX-80, MINI Cooper (which was named Japan Import Car of the Year), Suzuki Fronx, Lexus LBX, Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, Toyota Land Cruiser, BYD Seal, Volvo EX30 and Mitsubishi Triton (which won Japan Design Car of the Year).
The Freed’s interior comfort, user-friendliness, family-oriented design, performance and hybrid availability were noted by the jurors, who were from various automotive and lifestyle publications. JCOTY covers passenger models sold in the country between November 1, 2023 and October 31, 2024.
Elsewhere, the Honda CR-V e:FCEV hydrogen fuel cell vehicle was named Technology Car of the Year and Mazda’s e-SkyActiv R-EV rotary range extender got the Executive Committee Special Award.
Launched in Japan in June, the latest Honda Freed is a far cry from the first-gen model that was sold in Malaysia a decade ago. Buyers can have a 118 PS/142 Nm 1.5 litre four-cylinder engine and a CVT, or the e:HEV system that uses a 106 PS/127 Nm 1.5 litre four-cylinder engine to charge a 48-Ah lithium-ion battery that then feeds a 123 PS/253 Nm front-wheel driving electric motor.
But unlike the Kicks e-Power, the engine can directly drive the wheels at higher speeds for better efficiency. Hybrid variants are also offered with all-wheel drive, which adds an Intelligent Power Unit and a second electric motor to the single-speed electric CVT to drive the rear wheels when needed. The hybrid variants can do a claimed 25 km/l WLTP; the petrol variants 16.2 km/l.
The Honda Freed comes in Air (simpler) and Crosstar (more crossover-y) variations. The Air comes with 2+2+2 or 2+3+2 seating; the Crosstar only five or six seats. Full Honda Freed details here, and see past JCOTY winners here.
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