2018 Honda Stepwagon Review

Detailed Review

The Honda Stepwagon made its debut in 1996 and has since undergone six generations of production. The first generation of the Stepwagon was produced from 1996 to 2001. The second generation was in production from 2001 to 2005. The third generation launched its production in 2005 and continued up to 2009. From 2009 to 2015, the production of the fourth iteration of the Stepwagon took place. The fifth version of this minivan was manufactured from 2015 up to 2022. It features a two-way tailgate known as “wakuwaku” Gate. The Honda Stepwagon is currently in its sixth iteration of production.

The 2018 Honda Stepwagon comes with two engine options, a 1.5 L (Petrol), and a 2.0 L (Hybrid) connected to a CVT. Click here to purchase the 2018 Honda Stepwagon Buyer’s Guide. 

2018 Honda Stepwagon Grades

1. Honda Stepwagon G- This grade comes with automatic sliding doors, power windows, air conditioning, and a basic audio system.
2. Honda Stepwagon LX- This grade features fog lights, alloy wheels, cruise control, and a touchscreen infotainment system.
3. Honda Stepwagon EXV- This grade has LED headlights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, and Honda sensing safety suite.
4. Honda Stepwagon Spada- This grade is equipped with a navigation system, a moonroof, power tailgate, blind spot monitoring, and a lane departure warning.
5. Honda Stepwagon Modulo Style- This grade boasts a sporty appearance package with unique front & rear bumpers, side skirts, and aero kit.

Interior

Legroom & Space

The 2018 Honda Stepwagon boasts a spacious cabin with soft touches all over the dashboard. The first row has ample legroom and headroom and its seats can be reclined to accommodate a desired position. The second row offers sufficient knee room and headroom. The seats can either be moved forward or backward to create more space. The third row seat is comfortable to sit in. Taller passengers will not find it unpleasant for there is adequate headroom and legroom.

Cabin Storage

The 2018 Honda Stepwagon encompasses numerous storage compartments designed to improve the ride comfort of its occupants by neatly storing or holding their gears with an ease of access. The first row has an open center console, a glove box compartment, door panel storage and cupholders. Second row passengers have access to jacket pockets, door pockets, and a foldable tray. The third row seat is fitted with cupholders.

Boot Space

The 2018 Honda Stepwagon has a small boot space when all the seats are in place. When the second and third row seats have been retracted, a spacious room is created and can accommodate cargo of varying sizes.

Exterior

The 2018 Honda Stepwagon has a bold and distinctive exterior styling. The front end sports a small sloping nose that results in an excellent visibility for the occupants who have command of the oncoming traffic. Its chrome-accented grille bears the Honda emblem as LED daytime running lights and the headlights flank it on either sides lending it a flare of refinement. Fog lights are incorporated in the lower fascia and they come in handy especially when driving in dusty or mist-prone areas. The front bumper features sculpted lines that add a dynamic touch to the Stepwagon.

The side profile still maintains its tall stance with a high roofline. The sliding doors are electronically driven and it allows passengers to easily alight or board the vehicle. Nicely done contours are visible and they help in improving the aerodynamics of this minivan.

The rear encompasses taillights and turn signals as well as a roof spoiler that enhances the overall aesthetics of the Stepwagon. Its large tailgate is electronically powered and can either open upwards as a whole or sideways by being split in the middle.

2018 Honda Stepwagon Safety Features

The 2018 Honda Stepwagon features multiple airbags, stability control, blind spot monitoring, electronic brake force distribution, lane departure warning, and an anti-lock braking system.

2018 Honda Stepwagon Fuel Consumption

2018 Honda Stepwagon 1.5 L petrol engine consumption- 15.8 km/l on average

2018 Honda Stepwagon 2.0 L hybrid engine consumption- 24.7 km/l on average

2018 Honda Stepwagon Acceleration

2018 Honda Stepwagon 1.5 L petrol engine accelerates from 0-100km/h in 10.2 secs

2018 Honda Stepwagon 2.0 L hybrid engine accelerates from 0-100km/h in 11.0 secs

The 2018 Honda Stepwagon Fuel Tank Capacity: 52 liters

Ground Clearance: The 2018 Honda Stepwagon has a ground clearance of 5.9 inches which is below the required standard of 6.5 inches on Kenyan roads.

Service Intervals

Minor Service: At 5,000 km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, and Engine Oil.

Major Service: At 10,000km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter, ATF Filter, Cabin Filter, Plugs, Front Brake Pads, Rear Brake Pads, ATF Oil, and Engine Oil.

Spare Parts and Availability

Service parts for the Honda Stepwagon are generally affordable and available in Kenya. Body parts are slightly expensive and not easy to find.

Stability And Handling

The 2018 Honda Stepwagon delivers a sturdy and comfortable ride. The steering wheel is power assisted hence it adapts very well to road bends. The suspension system offers a perfect balance between comfort and handling. Due to its low center of gravity, it experiences minimal to zero body rolls especially when approaching tight corners. There is an all-wheel drive option that provides better traction especially when driving on slippery surfaces.

The cabin is properly insulated to prevent outside noises from causing discomfort to the occupants. Owing to its low ground clearance, its approach and departure angles cannot clear inclined and reclined surfaces in off-road trails without damaging its body components which are expensive to either repair or replace them. It Is advisable not to drive it on off-road terrains. The brakes are very robust and together with the anti-lock braking system and electronic brake force distribution, they can bring this minivan to a complete halt in a matter of seconds hence avoiding catastrophic disasters.

Reliability

The 2018 Honda Stepwagon is regarded a reliable minivan. Due to its low ground clearance, off-road driving should be avoided as you risk damaging its body components. Transmission issues and malfunction of the electronic doors are the most commonly reported problems in the Stepwagon. Regular service and maintenance are required to avoid experiencing such problems.

Click here to purchase the 2018 Honda Stepwagon Buyer’s Guide. 

Resale Value: Average

Honda Stepwagon Competitors: Toyota Noah, Toyota Voxy, Nissan Serena, Mazda Biante, and Mitsubishi Delica.

What we like about the 2018 Honda Stepwagon

Spacious and versatile interior

Comfortable ride

Fuel efficiency

Advanced safety features

What we don’t

Less sporty handling

The cargo space behind the third row seat might not be the largest in its class

Conclusion

The 2018 Honda Stepwagon prioritizes comfort and practicality over handling. It boasts a spacious interior that can be easily configured to either haul tons of cargo or ferry many people at a go hence the reason as to why people in the transport sector have largerly embraced it. Its outstanding fuel economy will appeal to eco-conscious folks who love long distance driving. However, due to its exorbitant purchase price, individuals on a tight budget may not be in a position to own this minivan.