All-new 2022 Honda Stepwgn to debut on 7-Jan – Should the Voxy fear the boxy MPV?
CY Foong · Jan 4, 2022 12:00 PM
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The Honda Stepwgn is a funny-sounding name for what is seen as an alternative to the Nissan Serena and the Toyota Voxy. The outgoing fifth-generation has been on sale since 2015 and given its age, it is due for a replacement which will be launched virtually on Friday, 7-January 2022.
The Stepwgn isn’t a new model even though its popularity in Malaysia has been trending in recent years. The model first launched 26 years ago in 1996 and was a hit among Japanese families with its tall design that would set the trend for JDM minivans in the coming decades.
The first Stepwgn (top) and the upcoming sixth-gen (bottom)
This all-new sixth-generation will bring out that same quirky design based on the teaser posted by Honda Japan. Though we are given only a silhouette of the side profile, there are already comparisons with the first Stepwgn with a visible hood up front.
All-new Stepwgn interior shown
Inside, the all-new Stepwgn could retain the same spacious and airy feeling as the outgoing model. Based on the photos posted on the teaser site, the Stepwgn would seat 7 passengers with the middle row being occupied by a pair of individual seats though an 8-seater with a bench in the middle row could make an appearance.
Will the smart "Waku Waku" doors be carried over in the new Stepwgn?
A neat trick in the outgoing Stepwgn is the clever “Waku Waku” doors at the rear which allow passengers easier access into the third row. It is uncertain whether this will be carried over into the sixth-gen Stepwgn but Honda would be crazy to drop this ingenious feature.
Rendering of the next-gen Stepwgn by Japanese media (Source)
What is certain is that the sixth-gen MPV will be available with an e:HEV hybrid powerplant on top of the regular petrol variant. The outgoing Stepwgn is available with a 1.5-litre turbocharged VTEC petrol (150 PS/203 Nm) that is also used on the FC Civic and the CR-V as well as a hybrid i-MMD powerplant.
Outgoing Stepwgn shown
That hybrid powertrain combines a 2.0-litre petrol engine (145 PS/175 Nm) with a pair of electric motors (184 PS/315 Nm). According to some Japanese media, both engines would see some increase in performance output for the all-new generation.
All-new Stepwgn interior shown
Another revealing info by Honda would be the grades that are offered for the MPV with the regular Stepwgn being called the Stepwgn Air while the sporty-looking variants are called the Stepwgn Spada.
Outgoing Stepwgn welfare vehicle shown
Both grades will be equipped with the excellent Honda Sensing ADAS suite as standard along with special welfare vehicles to aid wheelchair-bound occupants to get in or out of the MPV.
Closer to home, the only rival of the Stepwgn that is sold officially in Malaysia is the Nissan Serena and it too is due for a replacement. The Toyota Voxy which is gaining in popularity among buyers in the recond market is also due for a replacement that will be launched in 2022.
Having said that, the new Stepwgn promises to bring some excitement to the dwindling MPV market. Whether it will be popular enough to see hordes of them roaming around Malaysia remains too early to speculate for now.
Traded advertising for a career that fits his passion for cars. Enjoys spotting cars during his free time and has a soft spot for Japanese Kei cars but drives a thirsty manual sedan.
