Honda Stepwgn

Honda Stepwgn
Overview
Manufacturer	Honda
Production	1996-present
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size MPV
Body style	minivan
Related	Honda Civic
Chronology
Predecessor	none
Successor	none

The Honda Stepwgn is a mid-sized MPV produced by Honda since 1996. It is designed with a higher cabin, in contrast to the Odyssey and later also the Stream. Additionally, it can accommodate 8 people, instead of 7 in Odyssey and Stream. In standard form the car has one door on the driver's side but two doors on the pavement / sidewalk side.

First generation (1996-2001)

Honda Stepwgn 1st generation
Overview
Manufacturer	Honda
Production	1996 - 2001
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size MPV
Body style	3-door minivan
Layout	FF layout 4WD[1]
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L (122.0 cu in) B20B 125 PS (91.9 kW) I4
Transmission	4 speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,855 mm (112 in)
Length	4,705 mm (185 in)
Width	1,695 mm (67 in)
Height	1,815 mm (71 in)
Curb weight	1,410–1,645 kg (3,109–3,627 lb)

F-MX (1995)

The first generation Stepwgn originally appeared at the Tokyo Motor Show as the "F-MX" in 1995.

Initial release (1996-)

Production of retail modivy began on the 8th of May 1996. At that time, most rival Japanese vehicles usually had the engine mounted under the driver's seat, or a cabover type. The Stepwgn used the latter, and was based on the Civic, to keep prices low - starting from ¥1,548,000 and going up to ¥2,368,000.^[2] The passenger side was fitted with a sliding door, to allow easier access. To improve profitability, cost reduction measures were used, such as there being only one engine and transmission option (a 2-litre in-line 4 and a -cvt=countinously variable tramission automatic),^[3] and the vehicle design reduced the use of steel panels and parts. be in the Japanese, Australian and Indonesian

1997 update

Changes include standardizing ABS and dual SRS airbags throughout the range and further adding a number of convenience features.

Japan models went on sale in 1997-08-25 at Honda's Primo, Verno and Clio networks.^[4]

Step WGN Field Deck (1998-)

It is a version of Step WGN with pop-up observation/tent, designed for outdoor leisure pursuits and made out of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP).

Japan models went on sale in 1998-01-22 at Honda auto dealers.^[5]

1999 update

The vehicle received a facelift on the 20th of May 1999. The appearance of the headlights was altered, and the rear license plate position was moved down.

Second generation (2001-2005)

Honda Stepwgn 2nd generation
Overview
Manufacturer	Honda
Production	2001 - 2005
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size MPV
Body style	5-door minivan
Layout	FF layout 4WD
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L (122.0 cu in) K20A 160 PS (117.7 kW) I4 2.4 L (146.5 cu in) K24A 162 PS (119.2 kW) I4 [6]
Transmission	4 speed automatic (2.0L) 5 speed automatic (2.4L)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,855 mm (112 in)
Length	4,705 mm (185 in)
Width	1,695 mm (67 in)
Height	1,815 mm (71 in)
Curb weight	1,490–1,620 kg (3,285–3,571 lb)

Initial release

The second generation Honda Stepwgn debuted in 2001, largely based off the first generation's design.

The second generation Stepwgn used a design that was geared towards families with children. The Stepwgn retained its sliding doors located on one side of the vehicle. The vehicle's seating allows 4 different seating arrangements: "play mode" (sitting opposite each other), "food mode", "sleep mode" and "cargo mode" (the second row of seats is folded flat). A 2.0L Honda K engine DOHC i-VTEC engine powers the second generation Stepwgn, providing 160 PS (117.7 kW), improving both driving performance and fuel economy. Some parts were stiffened in order to further enhance driving performance.

The vehicle was unveiled in 35th Tokyo Motor Show.^[7]

STEP WGN, STEP WGN ALMAS (2001-)

STEP WGN ALMAS includes conventional side door lift model or passenger seat lift mechanism

Japan models went on sale in 2001-04-06. Early models include i-Series 2.0-liter DOHC i-VTEC engine. Step Wagon Almas models went on sale in 2001-06-11.^[8]

2003 update

On the 5th of June 2003, Honda significantly modified the design: both the front and rear fascias were altered to fit the look of other Honda vehicles, and the "Spada" series was introduced, available with a 2.4L K24A DOHC i-VTEC, producing 162 PS (119.2 kW), and a unique fender.

The vehicle was unveiled in 37th Tokyo Motor Show 2003.^[9][10]

Production

For the first 6 months of year 2004, sales of StepWGN in Japan reached 24,389 units.^[11]

Third generation (2005-2009)

Honda Stepwgn 3rd generation
Overview
Manufacturer	Honda
Production	2005 – 2009
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size MPV
Body style	5-door minivan
Layout	FF layout 4WD
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L (122.0 cu in) K20A 155 PS (114.0 kW) I4[12] 2.4 L (146.5 cu in) 162 PS (119.2 kW) K24A I4[13]
Transmission	4 speed automatic (2.0L) 5 speed automatic (2.4L 4WD) CVT transmission (2.4L FWD)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,855 mm (112 in)
Length	4,630 mm (182 in)
Width	1,695 mm (67 in)
Height	1,770 mm (70 in)
Curb weight	1,540–1,660 kg (3,395–3,660 lb)

The third generation Honda Stepwgn saw a completely new design.

Honda announced the third generation Stepwgn on the 26th of May, 2005. Unlike the previous generations, which only featured sliding doors on one side, the third generation featured sliding doors on both sides, in order to compete with other minivans such as the Nissan Serena and Toyota Estima. Thanks to the new low-platform chassis, though the size of the car was shrunk, interior accommodation space remains unchanged. This also improved the handling of the vehicle. The overall length had also been shortened, although the platform retains the Civic-based design and employs a thin plastic fuel tank in order to provide a low floor. The Stepwgn was available with a double wishbone-type suspension with an FF axle or a de-Dion style suspension (4WD models).

Japan models went on sale in 2005-05-27 at Honda automobile dealers.^[14]

2006 Tokyo Auto Salon concept (2006)

Modulo Step WGN Concept is a concept vehicle based on Step WGN, with around-vehicle sensors.

Step WGN Modulo Concept X Final Room is a concept vehicle based on Step WGN, with around-vehicle sensors.

The vehicles were unveiled in 2006 Tokyo Auto Salon.^[15][16][17]

2006 update

Changes include:

• addition of G side lift-up seat car and front passenger lift-up seat car models
• G, G S-package, 24Z include power slide door (rear left side) as standard
• G L-package, G LS-package include power slide door (rear right side) as standard
• new setting for smart key system (with 2 keys)
• hydrophilic/heated door mirror+front door wiper glass.

Japan models went on sale in 2006-05-18.^[18]

Engines

The third generation Stepwgn is powered by either a 2.0L K20A engine rated 155 PS (114.0 kW), or a 2.4L K24A engine rated 162 PS (119.2 kW).

Transmissions

The 2.0L model retained a 4 speed automatic transmission, whilst the FWD 2.4L model was fitted with a CVT transmission.

Production

At the month of November 2005, sales of StepWGN in Japan reached 7,093 units.^[19]

Fourth generation (2009-2015)

Honda Stepwgn 4th generation
Overview
Manufacturer	Honda
Production	2009 – 2015
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size MPV
Body style	5-door minivan
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L (122 cu in) R20A 150 PS (110.3 kW) I4[20]
Transmission	5 speed automatic CVT
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,855 mm (112 in)
Length	4,690 mm (185 in)
Width	1,695 mm (67 in)
Height	1,815 mm (71 in)
Curb weight	1,580–1,750 kg (3,483–3,858 lb)

The fourth generation Honda Stepwgn is a full redesign of the model. The new model increased in height and length, but remained the same width, when compared to the previous generation. The Stepwgn Spada model returned, keeping its unique grille and headlamp design. The Stepwgn is available in seven trim levels: G, G L Package, L, Li, Spada S, Spada Z and Spada Zi. The 2.4 litre engine was dropped from the lineup, with only a 2.0 litre petrol option currently available. The Stepwgn is available with either front- or four-wheel-drive across the range.^[21]

Japan models went on sale in 2009-10-09. Early models include Step WGN, Step WGN special-needs vehicle. Step WGN Spada and Step WGN Spada special-needs vehicle were added in 2009-10-23.^[22]

Facelift

In 2012, there was a minor change to the Stepwgn, featuring a new front grill, a new front bumper, new rear lights and rims. Also, a parking camera was included in all models.

Modulo Step WGN (2010-)

It is production vehicle based on Honda Step WGN.

The vehicle was unveiled in Tokyo Auto Salon 2010.^[23]

Step WGN Modulo Style (2013)

It is a concept vehicle based on Honda Step WGN.

The vehicle was unveiled in Tokyo Auto Salon 2013.^[24]

Production

For the month of July 2013, sales of Step WGN reached 6,715 units.^[25]

Fifth generation (2015-)

The fifth generation Honda Step WGN was introduced on April 23, 2015. With an all-new 1.5-liter direct injection VTEC Turbo engine, the fifth-generation Step WGN features a functional cabin space, as well as an innovative tailgate mechanism called the Waku Waku Gate (“Waku Waku" meaning “exciting” in Japanese). The Waku Waku gate is a unique propulsion as the rear doors either function as a wide tailgate that opens up or a sub-door that opens to the side.^[26]

References

External links

• Honda pages: Hong Kong, Japan

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Honda Stepwgn.