Recond Honda StepWgn: Turbocharged 7-seater MPV alternative to the Serena, what Voxy?

The Honda StepWgn is an MPV that competes against rivals like the Toyota Voxy and Nissan Serena. Unlike the 7-seater Serena, the StepWgn can be had as a 7- or 8-seater MPV, depending on variant.

Like the Toyota Voxy, the Honda StepWgn has been seeing an uptick in popularity in recent times, as the wait times for brand-new cars are just too long. Potential owners are skipping the wait by opting for a recond car instead.

Overview – Probably one of the best value-for-money recond MPV

For the purpose of this recond car buying guide, we will be focusing our attention on the fifth-generation StepWgn, specifically the StepWgn and StepWgn Spada (RP1, RP2, RP3).

The fifth-generation Honda StepWgn made its debut in 2015 and is the first of its generation to offer Honda’s famed turbocharged 1.5-litre VTEC Turbo 4-cylinder petrol engine. In the StepWgn, said engine outputs 150 PS and 203 Nm, delivered to either the front wheels or all four wheels.

Buyers in Japan also have the option of the i-MMD two-motor petrol-electric hybrid system. That said, variants fitted with the hybrid powertrain aren’t imported into Malaysia.

Which variant to get?

While Japanese buyers have a plethora of variants to choose from, over in Malaysia, choices are far limited.

Recond dealers in Malaysia generally bring in two variants of the StepWgn, the 1.5 G and Spada. Between the two variants, the Honda Sensing ADAS suite is offered on some variants, so if that’s something that you require in your car, double check that feature before signing the dotted line.

Unlike the Voxy and its 2-airbag setup, most units of the StepWgn offered by recond dealers here are fitted with 6 airbags.

Moreover, the StepWgn also offers the ingenious Wakuwaku Gate, which translates into “Exciting gate”. It is essentially a fancy name for dual-opening tailgate, maximizing its practicality.

Further adding to the StepWgn’s credentials are its Magic Seats. Yes, the StepWgn also has Magic Seats like the Honda City Hatchback and Honda HR-V. In the StepWgn, the Magic Seats feature is available on the third-row seats, whereby the seats can be split left-right, as well as stored under the floor.

Prices of a recond Honda StepWgn range between RM 125k to RM 190k, depending on variant, equipment and mileage. No two recond units are the same, so selecting the right car from the right dealer is crucial.

Common issues?

For the most part, the Honda StepWgn is a relatively problem-free MPV.

That being said, a recond car is still a used car so potential owners should keep an eye out for these potential issues.

The fan motor could develop carbon build-up over time, resulting in the air-conditioning blowing warm air, or even engine temperatures hitting the red zone. To remedy this, owners can have the fan motor serviced by removing the carbon build-up, which costs about RM 80. If that doesn’t fix the problem, then a replacement fan motor is needed, costing in the RM 800 region.

Some owners also reported of brake judders at higher speeds. To fix this, those in the StepWgn owners group recommend to replace the brake pads with better pads.

Also Read: Nissan Serena vs Toyota Voxy: Which family MPV should you get?

There are also instances whereby the Wakuwaku doors would refuse to open. If this happens, owners should make sure that the gear shifter is in P (Park) and that the rear wiper is turned off. Owners are also advised against modifying the StepWgn’s rear wiring harness to prevent such issues from occurring.

If the StepWgn’s instrument cluster starts displaying the Honda Sensing warning light, owners are advised to clean the sensors (front grille and windshield). If the error continues to happen, owners should take their StepWgn to a workshop to have it diagnosed.

Seeing that the StepWgn is originally a Japanese market car, its infotainment system and meter cluster is only available in Japanese. While it is possible to swap out the infotainment system with one that displays English text, the same may not be possible with the instrument cluster. Time for Japanese language class?

Conclusion

Compared to the Toyota Voxy, the Honda StepWgn is a far more sophisticated product. Not only does the StepWgn offer a far more powerful engine option, it also offers a more ingenious tailgate and better safety features than the Toyota.

The StepWgn, just like the Voxy, can also be had with the WelCab feature. The Welcab feature is a boon for families with elderly folks with mobility issues.

Also Read: Recond Toyota Voxy: Serena too common? Maybe this 7-seater MPV would be ideal

Whereas buying a brand-new Nissan Serena has the benefit of a 5-year warranty, the Serena’s road tax is higher and lacks the Wakuwaku doors. That being said, onus is on the buyer to watch out for tampered mileage, accident or flood-damaged units that are no longer road-worthy in Japan. If in doubt, time to purchase the auction sheet for the particular unit you're interested in; do not trust the copy provided by the seller.

If you’re interested in a recond Honda StepWgn, check out Carlist.my’s units here.