Honda Stepwgn: about chips, fans and disadvantages

We all become dependent on our own cars. More precisely, brands of cars. Some want Renault, others are hooked on Nissans, and others only recognize the domestic auto industry. And these…


They are obsessed with the Japanese Honda Stepwgn van. I would like to understand why?

The Fans

As it turned out, there are not a few admirers of the car. Entire communities have been found on the Internet, groups of drivers united by one thing - the love for the Honda Stepwgn.


Forum of motorists? Eka is unseen! But you need to visit the page of these, in a good way, fans to understand: there is a special relationship. Between the participants - "hello ... sorry ... come in ... only after you." That is the strongest partnership, brotherhood. Here, the readiness is not just to throw off a link, but to rush a thousand kilometers to deliver a penny spare part to a friend.

Curious... Right-hand drive van, not supplied to Russia - nothing but minuses. It would seem that you need a passenger car transport with a one-volume body without a hood or a one-and-a-half-volume layout, take what they bring in. The choice is wide: Chevrolet Orlando, Hyundai H-1, Kia Carnival, Volkswagen Caravelle.

No! These "adepts" travel across the country to Japan with the sole purpose of buying a Honda Stepwagon. Well, okay, not necessarily to the Land of the Rising Sun itself, but closer - to the Vladivostok customs. And there the guys (let's call them "Nimble") have already ferried these vans as much as you want.

And our fans (in a very good way) are actually smart when they cross multiple time zones because of a van. The car costs 1,8-2,0 million rubles, very cool top versions - 2,2 million. It is, most often, about a 3-5-year-old fifth generation.


Here is a huge plus for you, for which the owner is ready to forgive the Japanese for their “crooked” steering wheel. After all, our Lada Largus or the Chinese crossover Omoda C5 costs such money. Is it possible to compare them with a full-fledged minivan?

And we do not need to supply cars, which, however, has become generally impossible due to well-known events. "Nimble" for an additional fee will deliver vehicles to the garage gate, no matter what latitude the latter is located. Well, let's see what our "adepts" are chasing.

About generations of Honda Stepwgn

Stepwagons are the product of a Japanese multinational corporation that has had a glorious and complex history since 1948. The company is one of the ten strongest automakers in the world.

In 1996, among the scattering of right-hand drive Honda cars, an interesting specimen appeared - the Honda Stepwgn minivan. The global need for this category of cars is known, and in our country the popularity of vans is only gaining momentum. Moreover, exponentially: many appreciated the convenience of an 8-seater car for a large family, a friendly company, small and medium-sized businesses.


From the day of release to the present, the car has gone through 6 generations and several facelifts:

✅ First generation 1996. Four doors, 2-liter engine, 125 "horses", automatic transmission in 4 steps. Updates: 1997 - added ABS and dual airbags, 1998 - installed a retractable observation tent for outdoor enthusiasts, 1999 - reshaped headlights
✅ Second generation 2001. Engines: 2,0 L, giving 160 hp with., and the Spada series with a volume of 2,4 liters, 162 liters. With. Transmission - automatic 4 and 5 steps. In 2003, the front and rear panels were changed, bringing the look closer to the overall Honda concept.
✅ Third generation 2005. The body has become a 5-door, side doors sliding on both sides. Power units: 2,4-liter remained, a 2-liter engine with a capacity of 155 hp was added. With. Gearboxes are the same. Updates for 2006 brought a timing chain, power doors, heated exterior mirrors and a host of other changes.
✅ Fourth generation 2009. The model has undergone a complete redesign: increased in height and length. Of the engines, only a 2-liter 150-horsepower unit was used, a 5-band automatic variable transmission was installed. In 2012, the exterior changed grille, front bumper, taillights
✅ Fifth generation 2015. The car with the Waku Waku Gate mechanism of a folding door ("Waku-Waku") will be considered in more detail below, since this particular minivan is the object of worship of our fans
✅ Sixth generation 2022. "Waku-Waku" retired, there was just an automatic opening of the back door. Engines: Supercharged 1,5L petrol and 2,0L petrol hybrid. Box - variator

As promised, we will pay more attention to the fifth generation Honda Stepwgn: these cars are more confidently occupying the road lanes of Russia.

Model overview

Note that the manufacturer intended the Honda Stepvagon for the domestic market. Perhaps that is why the company approached the design of the car and the build quality in the most responsible way.

However, it is difficult to catch the Japanese in negligence when creating cars. And then they tried for themselves, as they say, loved ones. So the Honda Stepwgn turned out to be truly impressive.

Exterior and interior

The front end with diode optics is impressive, massive, shining with many chrome elements. In the center is a branded nameplate, behind which is hidden an active radar with adaptive cruise, collision avoidance and lane keeping functions.


A short hood indicates that the engine is pushed far under the windshield. This circumstance does not scare fans: there is nothing to do under the hood. The units are so reliable that the first 5 years do not require any intervention. The only thing to worry about is changing the oil. A burning check on a tidy is nonsense.

The window sill line of the Stepwagon is low, which promises passengers an abundance of light and excellent visibility. And the space inside is already laid in the external dimensions:

✅ Length - 4 690 mm and 4 760 mm (Spada)
✅ Width - 1 mm
✅ Height - 1 840 mm and 1 855 mm (Spada)
✅ Clearance - 150 mm
✅ Distance between axes - 2 mm
✅ Curb weight - 1 kg, Spada - 630 kg

The cabin has three rows of comfortable, seemingly simple seats. But this is only "in appearance": in fact, each seat is equipped with a transformation mechanism - folding, moving, turning into a table, then into a bed. Having disposed of the seats at your discretion, you can transport adults Bicycles, not to mention baby carriages. Lateral support, adjustable headrests, heated seats – these are already standard.


The floor is level, without a central tunnel. The height is sufficient: children can walk around at full height. A second monitor is installed for them, the kids, to connect consoles and, let's be honest, drive their parents crazy Blue By tractor, who is “through the fields, through the fields…” But daddy’s Leps is resting…

Not a single centimeter of the Honda Stepwgn's interior space is wasted: everywhere there are pockets, drawers for all sorts of things, cup holders. Little things are pleasing, in which care for the comfort of the crew: adjustment of the interior lighting, climate control for the passengers of the gallery and the rear stove, the correct location of the air ducts. There are two spherical mirrors in the cabin. One of them is located at the left front pillar - it is convenient to observe the left side when parking. In a word, the interior is functional and reasonably organized.


But the “bomb” was planted in the back: here is the door with the very cunning Waku-Waku mechanism. The door rises entirely - load voluminous things. But you can only open the left "gate" - throw in small bags. Incredibly practical. The original tailgate solution helps in underground garages and tight parking lots.

Motors and service

In the fifth generation, the manufacturer installed a 1,5-liter turbocharged gasoline unit. But it is of little interest to our users: the hybrid engine proved to be economical and reliable.


Characteristics of the mixed power plant:

✅ Volume - 2,0 l
✅ Power - 145 liters. With. at 6,2 thousand rpm
✅ Peak torque - 175 N * m at 4 thousand rpm

But a 135 kW electric motor with a torque of 315 N * m doubles the output power. Here it is! When you have 300 “horses” under the hood, you look down on fellow travelers along the strip.

The electric motor is charged from the internal combustion engine, there are no difficulties with operation. Fuel economy is commendable: a full tank of 52 liters is enough for 1 thousand kilometers. About the box: a variator that our fans will not exchange for mechanics. Front drive.

Car maintenance is also no problem: consumables can be bought at car dealerships, since the Japanese minivan is unified with classmates. And which of the spare parts you need larger, contact the "Nimble" - they will deliver from Japan.

We summarize

The Japanese van Honda Stepwgn is not intended for the Russian market, but somehow gets to us (we do not give out the secrets of the "Nimble", especially since we do not know them). A solid, attractive externally car has enviable characteristics, reliability and safety. A real family car.

Yes! And where are the announced shortcomings?.. But what are the shortcomings? Little things that should not annoy fans of the brand. Let's not be mean today...