Honda Stepwgn

The Honda Stepwgn (stylised as STEPWGN and pronounced "step wagon") is a minivan produced by Honda since 1996. In contrast to the Odyssey and also the Stream, it sports a taller, more upright greenhouse and can accommodate eight people instead of seven. For its first two generations, the car had one door on the driver's side and two doors on the passenger's side.

The Stepwgn competes against the Nissan Serena, Toyota Noah, Mitsubishi Delica, and formerly, the Mazda Biante.

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

Initial release (1996)
Japanese sales began on 8 May 1996. At that time, most Japanese minivans usually had the engine mounted under the cabin. The Stepwgn used a more conventional two-box layout, and was based on the Civic to reduce costs (starting from ¥1,548,000 and going up to ¥2,368,000). The passenger side was fitted with a sliding door for easier access. To improve profitability, further cost reduction measures were used, such as there being only one engine and transmission option—a two-litre inline-four and a 4-speed automatic transmission —and the vehicle's design reduced the use of steel panels and parts.

1997 update
Changes for 1997 included standardizing ABS and dual SRS airbags throughout the range, as well as the addition of a number of convenience features. Japanese models went on sale in August 1997 at Honda's Primo, Verno and Clio networks.

Stepwgn Almas (1997)
The Stepwgn Almas, whose name is derived from the Spanish alma ("heart"; "soul"), was equipped with a second-row seat lift for elderly and physically handicapped passengers.

Stepwgn Field Deck (1998)
A version of the Stepwgn with a pop-up observation tent and fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) body, designed for outdoor leisure pursuits, was sold at Japanese Honda dealers from January 1998.

1999 update
The Stepwgn received a facelift in May 1999. The appearance of the headlights was altered and the rear license plate was moved down.

Initial release
The second-generation Stepwgn debuted in April 2001, largely based on the first generation. It used a design geared towards families with children. The Stepwgn retained the sliding door located on one side, and its seating allowed for four different seating arrangements: "play mode" (sitting opposite each other), "food mode", "sleep mode", and "cargo mode" (wherein the second row of seats is folded flat). A 2.0L Honda K20A i-VTEC engine provided the second-generation Stepwgn with 160 PS, improving both driving performance and fuel economy. Some parts were stiffened in order to further enhance driving performance.

The vehicle was unveiled at the 35th Tokyo Motor Show.

Stepwgn Almas (2001)
In addition to the second-row seat lift, the 2001 Stepwgn Almas included a seat lift option for the front-row passenger. Stepwgn Almas models went on sale on 11 June 2001.

2003 update
In 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 slightly modified fender styling and a 2.4L K24A i-VTEC engine producing 162 PS.

The vehicle was unveiled at the 37th Tokyo Motor Show in 2003.

For the first 6 months of 2004, sales of the Stepwgn in Japan reached 24,389 units.

Third generation (RG; 2005)
Announced on 26 May 2005, the third-generation Stepwgn had a much more aerodynamic design than its predecessors.

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 Noah. Although the size of the car was decreased, interior space remained unchanged thanks to a new low-floor chassis, which also improved the handling of the vehicle. The overall length had been shortened, though the platform retained the Civic-based design and employed a thin plastic fuel tank in order to provide a low floor, which was covered in panelling meant to evoke wood flooring. Japanese models went on sale on 27 May 2005 at Honda dealers.

The third-generation Stepwgn is powered by either a 2.0L K20A engine rated at 155 PS, or a 2.4L K24A engine rated at 162 PS. In the Stepwgn, they use a timing chain, as the engine is of an interference design. The 2.0L model retained a 4-speed automatic transmission, whilst the FWD 2.4L model was fitted with a CVT transmission.

At the month of November 2005, sales of Stepwgn in Japan reached 7,093 units.

Tokyo Auto Salon concepts (2006)
The Modulo Stepwgn Concept and Stepwgn Modulo Concept X Final Room are concept cars based on the Stepwgn, with around-vehicle sensors. These vehicles were unveiled at the 2006 Tokyo Auto Salon.

2006 update
For 2006, changes to the Stepwgn included:
 * the addition of first- and second-row seat lift options to the G trim
 * the inclusion of a power rear left sliding door as standard for the G, G S Package, and 24Z
 * the inclusion of both power rear sliding doors as standard for the G L Package and G LS Package
 * a new setting for the smart key system (with 2 keys)
 * hydrophilic/heated side-view mirrors and hydrophobic front door glass

Japanese models went on sale in May 2006.

Fourth generation (RK; 2009)
The fourth generation Stepwgn was a full redesign of the model, increasing in height and length but remaining the same width. The Stepwgn Spada model returned with a unique grille and headlamp design. The fourth-generation Stepwgn was 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 option available. The Stepwgn was available with either front- or four-wheel-drive across the range.

Japanese models went on sale in October 2009.

For the month of July 2013, sales of the Stepwgn reached 6,715 units.

Modulo Stepwgn (2010)
The Modulo Stepwgn is a production vehicle based on the standard Stepwgn. The vehicle was unveiled at the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon.

2012 facelift
In 2012, there were minor changes to the Stepwgn, including a new front grille, front bumper, rear lights, and wheels. A parking camera was also included on all models.

Stepwgn Modulo Style (2013)
The Stepwgn Modulo Style is a concept vehicle based on the standard Stepwgn. The vehicle was unveiled at the 2013 Tokyo Auto Salon.

Fifth generation (RP1–5; 2015)
The fifth generation Stepwgn was introduced in April 2015. With an all-new 1.5-litre direct injection VTEC Turbo engine, the fifth generation Stepwgn features a functional cabin space, as well as a novel two-way tailgate called the Waku Waku Gate, derived from the Japanese term. The Waku Waku Gate either functions as a traditional upwards-opening tailgate, or a smaller door that opens to the side for easier third-row access and cargo loading.

2017 facelift
The Stepwgn was refreshed in September 2017. The Stepwgn Spada Hybrid has a 3-mode powertrain which can switch between EV, hybrid, or engine drive modes. It also has a Sport drive mode.

It is equipped with a Honda Sensing system, which assists the driver with parking by controlling steering.

Sixth generation (RP6–8; 2022)
The sixth-generation Stepwgn was unveiled on 7 January 2022. It is available in three models: Air, Spada, and Spada Premium Line. For this generation, the Waku Waku Gate was dropped in favour of a conventional automatic tailgate. There is also a Stepwgn Air sports mix with a rear spoiler added. Other accessories include different Rims and other decorations. The Spada comes with the Emotional Solid with different Rims and other decorations.