Reviews / 06 Dec 2025

Worth taking a serious look at.

The Honda STEP WGN must have one of the most oddly-spelt names in the automotive industry. The name is actually pronounced ‘Step Wagon’, but somehow Honda has deemed it fit to spell it out like a vowel-deprived teenage texter from the early 2000s.

Strange spelling aside, the STEP WGN is otherwise a rather standard family MPV. It is now available from Honda’s official distributor here, Kah Motor, after years of being sold solely as a parallel-imported model. About time really, for the STEP WGN is a MPV that’s really worth taking a serious look at.

Familiar Face

The official version looks no different from the parallel-imported cars, and the STEP WGN is literally a box on wheels. The angular styling is conservative and doesn’t particularly stand out, but it’s clear that this is a car that’s more function than form.

The clean lines hide the car’s bulk well though, because the STEP WGN doesn’t look as big as its dimensions suggest. It measures in at a sizeable 4,829mm long and 1,846mm tall, which poses a slight problem in smaller carparks. But it’s something you’ll only realise once you drive it, because the styling and dimensions can feel a bit deceptive with regards to the car’s size.

Kah Motor has decided to bring in only the Spada variant of the STEP WGN, which is supposedly the premium trim, and features sporty 17-inch wheels and a rear spoiler. For the uninitiated, back in Japan the STEP WGN also has the base Air trim level that looks somewhat more basic, but given our market demands, it’s probably a wise decision to offer just the higher-spec model.

All That Space

Step inside the STEP WGN and you’ll be instantly amazed by the amount of space you’ll get. The car is reasonably tall, but the seat is at regular height instead of raised up high like many other MPVs. That means you get an astonishing amount of headroom, enough to accommodate an afro-haired NBA player with room to spare.

For us normal-sized folks though, it makes you feel rather small, as you get dwarfed by the enormous amount of space. But the seating position does make access easier, as you don’t have to climb onboard. Instead, you simply step in and sit down like you would in a regular car.

At the back, which is where it matters for an MPV, the STEP WGN impresses too. While it is not quite a luxury MPV, the second row features a pair of individual seats that come with armrests and even adjustable footrests.

They have to be deployed manually however, but it’s no cause for complaint as you won’t even find these on some of the STEP WGN’s segment rivals.

The third row is equally commodious, and the generous headroom, along with the large windows, means that occupants confined back there won’t feel at all claustrophobic. There are also useful stuff like cupholders and USB charging ports which ensure that rear passengers don’t feel like third-class citizens.

Practicality Is Ace

It’s not just people that can enjoy all that space, for the STEP WGN offers lots of room for cargo too. There’s a decent amount of boot space with a deep recess when all the seats are up, although Honda does not state a specific figure for the car’s load capacity.

However, the STEP WGN also features one of the niftiest folding third row seats of any MPV out there. Pull the lever and the seats fold right down into said recess and form a completely flat floor. It’s a simple one-handed action that will be appreciated by those who have to load items when their hands are otherwise occupied.

Finally, the back of the front seats feature USB-C charging ports and fold-out tables, and there are dedicated controls on the roof for the rear air con, all of which serve to further enhance the experience for those riding in the back.

That said, there are some small niggles though, but they mostly concern the one in the driver’s seat. The push-button gear selector system feels a bit unintuitive to use, and can be a bit troublesome when performing three-point turns.

As well, the aftermarket 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment unit, while perfectly functional, comes across as a bit downmarket for an officially imported car. It could also do with a 360-degree camera, which would aid greatly with parking given the car’s size and dimensions.

Smooth and Comfortable Pace

On the move, the first thing that strikes you about the STEP WGN is how smoothly it accelerates. It is not fast obviously, but the 2.0-litre hybrid drivetrain produces a decent 184bhp and 175Nm of torque. Apply a gentle throttle and the car builds up speed in an unruffled manner, settling into a comfortable cruise that is befitting of a good family MPV.

It combines that with great refinement, with its excellent noise insulation at speed, and a well-sorted ride quality that smooths out most bumps easily.

Of course, it is not the last word in dynamic driving, with noticeable body roll and a relatively lifeless steering that’s not the quickest, but then again, that basically applies to most large MPVs anyway.

Efficiency-wise, Honda claims an average fuel consumption figure of 5 litres per 100km, which seems decent enough for a car of its size. Over my three day test drive though, I got around 6.3 litres per 100km, which is still okay for the most part, but one would expect slightly better from a hybrid powertrain.

A Worthy Case

It’s easy to see why Kah Motor is eager to introduce the STEP WGN to its lineup, for it faces strong competition in the form of the popular Nissan Serena e-Power, as well as the recently-launched Toyota Noah Hybrid, another formerly parallel imported model now available through official channels.

The STEP WGN is competitively priced too, and puts it right about on par with its key rivals. It boasts plenty of strengths, namely its generous space, impressive practicality, and excellent all-round comfort. If you’re looking for an MPV to drive your family around, the STEP WGN makes for a very worthy choice indeed.

Credits: AutoApp. Author: Ben Chia