“Honda-Stepvagon”: owner reviews, characteristics and photos

The Honda-Stepvagon minivan (owner reviews below) is a family minibus, the serial production of which has been going on since 1996. During the production period, five generations of the car managed to come out. All of them were of high quality, quickly popularized in the world market. Consider the features of each of them, as well as reviews of the owners.

“Honda-Stepwagon” in the first generation

This car was presented at the Tokyo Motor Show. This concept was created specifically for the development of a family minivan. The resulting car combines reliability, functionality and practicality. The minibus is designed for five to eight people. The spaciousness and comfort of the seats guarantee a low floor and a high ceiling. They also changed the location of the engine, moving it from under the driver's seat, installing it according to the classical scheme.

The choice of a single type of engine and transmission has reduced the cost of the car and the cost of its maintenance. The power unit is a two-liter “engine” type B-20V, which adds an automatic transmission in four ranges. The car in question has front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. In the second case, the design includes a system with a pair of pumps. She transmitted torque to the front wheels, and if they could not cope, then the effort went to the rear-wheel drive.

In their reviews, the owners of the Honda Stepwagon of this series note that the chassis of the minibus is quite interesting. The front assembly is equipped with MacPherson configuration elements, the levers are placed at the back. Subsequently, many cars of this brand were equipped with a similar design. Since the minibus was immediately popular with the population, the designers decided to improve its equipment. A year later, the car received airbags, an ABS system and some other useful options.

Second generation

Honda-Stepvagon specifications and owner reviews are listed below. The designers faced a difficult task of how to improve an already good model. The main innovation is a new engine with the K-20A index, which is similar in volume to its predecessor, but more powerful by 35 “horses”. The timing belt has been replaced with a chain, a VTEC system has been installed to reduce fuel consumption.

In 2003, another 2.4-liter engine appeared, which additionally added 30 Nm of torque to the minivan. Another step has been added to the gearbox design. Chassis and drive have not changed. Outside, smooth body shapes appeared. Among the shortcomings, the owners of the Honda Stepvagon in the reviews note a stiff suspension and poor cross-country ability in winter, especially for front-wheel drive modifications.

Brief description of the generation in question:

• overall dimensions – 4.68 / 1.72 / 1.84 m;
• ground clearance – 16 cm;
• wheelbase – 2.8 m;
• curb weight – 1.6 tons;
• fuel consumption in combined mode – 7.7 l / 100 km;
• power – 160 hp;
• drive type: front and “VD”.

Third update

The next generation Honda Stepwagon, which we know about below, was released in 2005. In this performance, the minivan has changed dramatically. It has a pair of sliding doors like the Toyota Extreme and Nissan Serena. The new version was created on a different platform, which made the car narrower. At the same time, the capacity of the cabin remained the same.

The suspension unit is made of several levers at the rear and a beam at the front, the length of the machine is shortened. The center of gravity has been lowered by 40 millimeters, which lowers the floor and improves handling at high speeds and when entering corners. Engines “migrated” from their predecessor. The variator in the transmission is only for all-wheel drive models.

The 4WD version can be equipped with an automatic transmission. Feedback from the owners of Honda-Stepvagon suggests that the car, along with practicality and reliability, has become unique in its appearance. The specified car gained popularity, like its predecessors, just a year after the presentation, about 10 million copies were produced.

Options:

• dimensions (m) – 4.63 / 1.69 / 1.77;
• ground clearance (cm) – 15.5;
• wheelbase (m) – 2.85;
• empty weight (t) – 1.63;
• power indicator (hp) – 162;
• gasoline consumption in mixed mode (l / 100 km) – 8.3.

Fourth restyling

This generation is an improvement of the previous modification. The resulting version has grown in length and height with the same width. This generation saw the return of the Spada package with the original grille and optics. Under the hood was a version with a 2.0-liter engine, like the R-20. The reliable unit is equipped with a variable valve timing system, shows decent traction at low and medium speeds, but does not have such a sporty character. The “engine” is complemented by a classic automatic transmission or CVT. The layout can be all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive, fuel consumption is only about seven liters per 100 km.

As Honda-Stepvagon owner reviews show, the lower center of gravity has a positive effect on interior roominess and handling. The trunk also pleases the owners with spaciousness; if necessary, the seats can be folded into a special niche in the floor. The comfort of a minivan is at the highest level, the developers have shown that they can use the usable space as much as possible and wisely.

Update

In 2012, the appearance of the car in question was adjusted by installing a new grille, bumpers, rims and taillights. All packages include a parking camera. The updates made made it possible to improve the aerodynamic properties of the body, as well as reduce fuel consumption by about 10%. Other changes include expanding body colors, redesigning seat belts from a two-point version to a three-point configuration.

Owner reviews about the Honda-Stepvagon 1.5 (150 hp)

The fifth generation of the Japanese minibus started in 2015. Changes have taken place both in the appearance of the car and in its technical part. First of all, it is worth noting the appearance of a new engine. The engine has a volume of 1.5 liters, produces 150 “horses”, is equipped with a turbine.

Among the features of the new power unit, users note the provision of high torque at low speeds (no worse than the 2.4-liter version). At the same time, VTEC reduces fuel consumption. The new engine is complemented by a CVT, all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive. The car in question received the most spacious and functional interior among all generations, which is one of the main advantages of the station wagon.

Outcome

There are very few negative reviews from the owners of Honda-Stepwagon, mainly related to poor off-road patency and the high cost of consumables. But among the advantages, the third row of “seats” that folds into the floor, the convenient design of the rear door, as well as the reliability of all components and assemblies, are traditionally distinguished.