4th generation Honda Stepwagons are now selling

4th generation Honda Stepwagons are now selling

It was when I went to a Honda shop to renew insurance on behalf of a customer in Japan. I noticed a Stepwagon was prominently in display there. People kept coming in one after another to check the car. According to the salesperson there, the car arrived just before opening the shop that day. From middle aged men to young guys, a wide range of customers were looking at the car and some tried getting inside of it, then they left after getting a brochure.

To be honest, I do not remember selling any Stepwagons to overseas customers but this is one of the most popular compact mini-vans in Japan. As a matter of fact, I too am a customer who bought a brand new 2nd generation Stepwagon about 8 years ago. Its selling points is that, it is small enough to be classed as a compact car which buyers can get preferential treatment from the tax department as it is within the size regulation, it expands indoor space as much as possible and still have a high fuel efficiency. When I bought it, my children were 6 and 7 year olds and our old Mitsubishi RVR was getting too small for long distance family travel. The 2nd generation Stepwagon had the automatic sliding rear doors fitted in a compact mini-van for the first time in the history. It also had pop-up seats to improve the indoor comfort, 2nd row seats turning into a table, etc and designed for a family with small children. Our children fell in love with it when we went for a test drive, so we bought it straight away.

The 3rd generation Stepwagon after the 2nd generation model was designed too sporty and lost its appeal as the Stepwagon, was struggling in sales against other compact mini-van competitors such as Toyota Noah, Toyota Voxy and Nissan Serena.

After the important lesson from the 3rd generation model, this 4th generation model is now made with the concept of a mini-van with a comfortable inside space for every member of a family. Its size is 50mm longer and 45mm higher than the 3rd generation model. Thinking about increasing the interior space, the 3rd row seats are not like the last model with flip-up type seats which made the room small, but stored under-floor to make the luggage compartment bigger.

The platform is improved too. According to the designers, it is “for every generation to get in and out of the car easily and with the low-floor low-gravity technology. Unlike the last generation model’s 2 steps platform, this model only takes just 1 step.” By widening the opening space of the sliding doors, it made it easier for getting in and out. Also by widening the space between the front seats and the second seats, it has wider leg room and made getting in and out easier, too.

I think that this is a good car for people who want to try a mini-van and who has a family. I do not understand why it is not popular overseas but this is one of the cars I strongly recommend to others.


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