Living with the Voyah Free
Review by Toni
There it was, a 2023 VOYAH FREE, in a stunning Cloud Blue colour. This was not the car launch many expected. Out of the blue, VOYAH's brand presence expanded to Finland, meaning Launch Control also got the opportunity to test drive one earlier than we had anticipated. The European launch took place in Norway, known as the paradise of electric vehicles, during the summer of 2022. Now, in 2023, VOYAH is accelerating its competition in the European electric car market. Alongside Norway and Finland, they've secured agreements with dealerships in the Netherlands, Switzerland and Denmark, and more countries are in the pipeline. The race for sales is underway.
The FREE has some serious road presence. It is, after all, almost 5-meter-long crossover SUV weighing over 2.3 tons. Whether you label it a crossover or a SUV, the FREE dominates the electric car charging stations, making Tesla owners question their choice. The FREE barely fits parking spaces, yet it maneuvers smoothly, even in tighter spots. Standard features, including a 360 surrounding camera system, auto parking assistant and blind spot detection, instil trust in both the FREE and the driver. In fact, there are hardly any extras to choose from when ordering one. It has all already standard, or premium, rather. A towing bar with a 2000 kg capacity is really the only extra option you can order, along with customizable interior and exterior colours. The one we tested had a subtle Dark Blue interior, but just look at Beige Red in the FREE's brochure. That will elevate yours to another level.
When we returned the keys, we got a question from the importer - what was the most surprising thing about the FREE? While a safe answer would focus on its exceptional design and build, the intriguing response lies in the ability to choose between three different fragrances, Fresh Bamboo, Scarlet Pony or Watery Minst, to enhance the cockpit ambiance. Even though, we would like to argue that the FREE falls in the premium category, that felt quite luxurious.
What makes the FREE so exceptionally well-designed and built? Firstly, its beauty, designed by Italdesign Giugiaro, a subsidiary of Lamborghini. It has all the features you could ask for, including co-driver and driver seat massage, seat ventilation, a dimmable panorama roof, IAQS (in-vehicle air quality system), 10 speakers, driver safety monitoring, second row monitoring by camera - to name a few because the list goes on. Of course, we need to mention also the screen solution of three 12.3- inch screens spanning the width of the cockpit. The only more you could really ask for would be a heated steering wheel and similar features for the second row as there is for the driver and co-driver. For the Chinese market, a facelift has already fulfilled these wishes for the second row experience.
On the highway, the FREE seamlessly moves forward with 360 kW of motor power and 720 N-m torque. The 0-100 km/h spring in 4.4 seconds is impressive for a crossover SUV. If you accelerate fully in the Performance mode, it will take from the pit of the stomach. But no battery, let alone your driving license, can handle those types of sprints for too long and that's why the FREE adapts to various conditions with its six different driving patterns; Eco, Comfort, Performance, Outing, Snow and Individual. Try accelerating in Eco and nothing happens. Try driving in Snow and you will feel very safe even in more extreme conditions. Outing is probably the funniest driving pattern because it lifts the car up in speeds under 40 km/h.
The FREE literally drives itself. The adaptive cruise control, lane keep assistant and lane centering control work so well that you just need to use the hands on the steering wheel occasionally and the car will do the rest for you. But just don't yawn because otherwise the FREE will tell you to take a break. Night vision assistant ensures safety in low light conditions. Probably the only negative thing to say about the FREE is the high beams that seem undersized. And perhaps the radio that seems to lose connectivity outside the urban area but who uses radio nowadays anyways?
In conclusion, based on the test drive, a definitive "yes" echoes for considering the FREE. If you fancy one, the Finnish importer has made a promise that you will get one in two weeks. Place an order now and you will have one for Christmas.
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