Brand: Honda

Model: Stepwgn

Body type: MPV

In production: 1996-present

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There’s something about the Honda Stepwgn (pronounced Stepwagon, obvs) that’s just very attractive. The lines on it are so clean and well-defined that you can go way back in time… at least to its second generation facelift in 2003, and it still looks timelessly cool.

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To be fair, when they first conceived the ‘Steppy’ they weren’t sure what it was for, except that it had to be a family ‘wagon’ (the Japanese term for an estate) and compete against the likes of the original Estima. As a way of winning people over Honda opted for an accessible bonnet with a slight cab-over rather than burying the engine mid-body under the front seats as was the mid-90s fashion. Very wise, and a good start. Then the second generation found a sense of purpose, being designed specifically for families with children who could hop effortlessly out at the school gate via the sliding door (albeit only on one side back then).
 

The third generation (2005) did the decent thing and put sliding doors on both sides to stop the scamps leaping into traffic, while the fourth generation added many refinements but took away 500cc from the engine to leave a lean and very economical 2000cc. The fifth generation took away another 500 but added a direct-injection 1500cc VTEC Turbo and a ‘waku-waku’ (exciting) tailgate. The Sixth's designers decided the waku waku wasn’t in the least exciting and took it off again. The tailgate’s corners became quite austere with the lights in a single strip like a space-age fluorescent light and, like most MPVs in the 2020s, sadly, the front end got quite ugly.

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We source and sell the third and fourth generation Steppies from 2008-2012 when power, utility and styling were all at their peak in the design. Most models have electric sliding doors and tailgate which ensures that the whole feel of the thing makes for effortless school runs and shopping. But camping is a joy in the Steppie too (there is a fairly nimble 4WD version) and like all Japanese MPVs the Stepwgn is wonderfully narrow, so slipping down a narrow lane with cars either side of you causes minimal anxiety.

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All in all the Stepwgn just LOOKS brilliant, and the Spada trim model has pretensions of being a Tokyo drift van. A shiny, well-kept Steppie Spada with alloy wheels ALWAYS turns heads. It’s a mystery why anyone cruises about in a poxy Volkswagen T5, frankly.
 

When buying your Stepwgn: Sit in it first. The Honda seat design isn’t for everyone and some earlier Stepwgns have rather hard pads in their seats that may bother you on long journeys. Take it for a drive. Also be aware that the 2000cc and below Stepwgns are quite heavy in comparison to their engine size and, if you like to tear down the far right lane of the motorway, this may not be the trolley for you. Take it on an A-road and see how you feel.

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ALWAYS ASK TO SEE THE AUCTION SHEET
Private sellers may not have it, but an importer/dealer should ALWAYS have retained this in order to prove the vehicle's grade, along with any other important documents. We sell only 3.5 (good), 4 (very good) and 4.5 (excellent) grade imports. Be aware that anything rated RA has been repaired, and that anything rated R or unrated is equivalent to UK grades A,B,C or D (scrapped, insurance writeoff or what used to be known as class N).

 

A vehicle's history is effectively erased upon export, but most of it is there on the auction sheet. Make sure you see it, and ask for a copy if required. A dealer/importer reluctant to let you see the auction sheet on request should be a red flag!

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Insuring your Stepwgn: Insurance has been offered by the following companies, but your circumstances will affect what you’re offered so shop around. Note: Stepwgn owners groups advise that you are better off calling for a quote than accepting what the webpage tells you: Adrian Flux, Quote Me Happy, LV, Admiral, JustKampers, Axa, Japcover, MySterling, Mark Richard, Keith Michaels.

 

Battery: A Yuasa HSB056 will work for the Stepwagon and is the same Ah as the factory-fitted unit. However, a lot of users report that just having the radio on for 20 minutes can drain the factory / Japanese battery but there is nothing of the Stepwagon’s official dimensions that deliver more than 40 Ah. If you have any spare space in there lengthways the Bosch S4 020 is a little longer but packs 45 Ah, which seems to make a lot of difference and users report it working well.  Most Steppies take a right-side positive battery but double-check as they don’t all conform.

Parts:  You should find parts you need on either eBay, Torque GT or Cox motor sports website. Try Amayama , Buyee or Zenmarket. Genuine Honda parts can be sourced on Impex if you can wait for the parts to ship. And there’s always Croooober. If you live within a day's journey of Sheerness (sadly we don't), then Automatrix have made a bit of a name for themselves fixing, servicing and supplying parts for Steppies... so take it there, or call them.

Tax: Your Steppy is taxed at PLG rate of £325 per annum

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Community: The Facebook Honda Stepwagon Owner’s Club is very helpful, as is Honda Stepwagon Owner’s Club UK.