Honda Step Wgn review: How to be a Gen Alpha Romeo

[SINGAPORE] If you care about the fam, the Honda Step Wgn is one car that might deliver a parenting upgrade. And yes, I know I sound like I’ve been possessed by the ghost of a Gen Alpha schoolboy, but that’s on purpose because the Step Wgn was clearly sketched out by parental experts (or at least, survivors). If the youthful slang here makes sense to you, congratulations, you totally get what seasoned mums and dads need from a car.

It looks like something out of Minecraft, all vertical lines and angular corners, precisely because that is exactly the sort of drip a growing family needs. A mere tug on the rear doors’ handles, which takes only a finger, sees them glide open electrically to reveal a flat floor and high ceiling. Describing the cabin as “spacious” is high-key an understatement.

You ease sideways into the second row seats instead of climbing into them. They recline, slide and come with pop-up leg rests, so while they’re middle row chairs they are definitely not mid.

The very back of the cabin is a breeze to slink into because the middle-row chairs tip and slide out of the way with well-oiled ease. While the third-row seats would accommodate three adults, they’re definitely not where anyone with main character energy would want to be, at least for anything more than a short drive.

The rearmost seats’ true genius lies in how easily they fold and drop out of the way, creating a flat floor for cargo. Tugging a strap and giving the seats a gentle push is all it takes, and yanking them back up is so effortless that it makes you marvel at how the engineering here is absolutely GOATed.

Back in the cabin, you’ll find bag hooks, flip-up tables, at least nine cupholders (for seven people, mind you), trays, cubbyholes and two glove compartments, and even a little niche for the car’s key. Like a bento box, the Step Wgn has a place for everything, so it’s legit adept at managing the clutter that families accumulate.

Also worth mentioning is the upholstery that’s treated to repel oil and water. It’s perfect for when the kids spill their juice, which they will inevitably do no matter how many times you tell them, “Can you not?”

What also slaps is the way you actually use the Step Wgn. Honda kept key controls blessedly physical, such as those for the air-con system (front and rear) and powertrain. The switches for them click with that low-key satisfying solidity, while the knobs twirl like they’re part of a Swiss watch. Everything falls to hand so naturally that even the most sleep-deprived parent could operate the Step Wgn through bleary eyes.

Where things really work smoothly is under the bonnet. The Honda’s e:HEV hybrid system pairs a 2.0-litre engine with an electric motor (and a small battery) to haul the Step Wgn along. It glides along on electric power most times (with the engine firing up to replenish the battery when it runs low), but can also run on petrol on the highway, when combustion power is at its most efficient.

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The set-up is meant to save fuel, so the acceleration isn’t going to leave you shook, but I managed 5.6 litres per 100 kilometres, which means I could have covered 920 km on a single fill-up. At that rate, most drivers would only need to visit a petrol station twice a month, with plenty still sloshing around in the tank.

Despite the Step Wgn’s brick-like profile, it’s not chonky. It’s half a size down from the Toyota Alphards of the world, and has roughly the same footprint as a Honda Accord, so it’s manoeuvrable on local roads or even in a tight car park. Mind you, it’s more than 1.8 metres tall, so you’ll need at least 1.9 m of clearance or you’re cooked.

That said, I would’ve liked a 360-degree camera. Skipping that feature in a family hauler this size is straight up cringe. Otherwise, the Step Wgn’s efficiency, thoughtful cabin and roominess are a real vibe. The one thing it isn’t, is sexy. But what the Step Wgn lacks in rizz, it makes up for in practicality and comfort. If parents deign to be seen driving one, it’s because they clearly understood the assignment.

Honda Step Wgn Spada e:HEV Engine 1,993 cc in-line four Engine power 145 hp at 6,200 rpm Engine torque 175 Nm from 3,300 to 5,500 rpm Motor power/torque 184 hp/315 Nm Gearbox Continuously variable transmission 0-100 kmh 9.7 seconds Top speed 160 kmh Fuel efficiency 5 L/100 km Agent Kah Motor Co Price S$237,999 with Certificate of Entitlement Available Now