Honda Stepwgn 4th generation facelift

2013 Honda StepWGN Spada

2013 Honda StepWGN

The 4th generation Honda StepWGN, launched since October 2009, is now on its minor change for the 2013 model year and with such changes comes with some improvements that is now proven to be much more fuel efficient than the Nissan Serena C26. The changes occurred for the 2013 StepWGN were very very specific. The normal StepWGN now has a new front grille while the stylish StepWGN Spada gained a much stylish front grille, some silver paneling below the grille, new front bumper, and the refined rear lamps.

2013 Honda StepWGN Spada interior

2013 Honda StepWGN interior

Although, the outside was new, the inside remains the same. It still accommodates up to eight people, which is a fitting take for an average Japanese family, and it can be folded for multiple seating arrangements suitable for any situation. Those who are looking for some navigation would be wise to choose an optional HDD with Honda InterNavi on it for real time navigation.

So, the question is, can the 2013 StepWGN really be more fuel efficient than the Nissan Serena C26?! Let's find out. The Nissan Serena's MR20DD has a fuel economy of 14.6km/L based on Japan's JC08 mode cycle. Here on the 2013 StepWGN, it still comes with the R20A engine but now, it comes with the idling stop system. The idling stop system is part of Honda's Earth Dreams Technology and this feature shuts the engine off when stopped and starts it again when the driver's foot is on the pedal, to save petrol. If I meant to say "save petrol", the fuel economy, if you go for the normal StepWGN, is 15.0km/L based on Japan's JC08 mode cycle, so on paper, there's a 0.4 gap between them. Even if the StepWGN Spada's fuel economy is 14.8km/L, it still trounced the Serena C26's fuel economy. What's more aside from the idling stop offered on the StepWGN, it comes equipped with the new generation CVT. Those features really made them attract the new and improved "Eco Car Genzei" system.

There are nine colors available on the StepWGN, depending on the variant, such as Super Platinum Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Polished Metal Metallic, White Crystal Pearl, Premium Super Cool Black Pearl, Crimson Pearl, Premium Cosmic Violet Pearl, Aurora Suede Pearl, and Hidamari Ivory Pearl.

My Comment:



So, the facelifted StepWGN is now fuel efficient than the latest Nissan Serena thanks to its idling stop and the newly developed CVT. Those features did really attract the new and improved "Eco Car Genzei" system and these StepWGN variants, either the normal or the Spada, are a perfect fit for a typical Japanese families. If you're looking for a fuel-efficient minivan in Japan, this is the minivan to buy. Hopefully, this facelifted model would come in Hong Kong soon and I hope it won't be noticed by those Japan-MPV-attracting smugglers, most who are from Malaysia and Indonesia...the idiots...

Photo: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.