Honda Step Wgn Spada e:HEV Review: The Sensible Choice, Done Right

In a Singapore car market increasingly dominated by futuristic Chinese EVs and over-styled SUVs trying very hard to look adventurous, the Honda Step Wgn Spada turns up looking refreshingly… honest. It (a) does not shout for attention, (b) does not attempt to reinvent the MPV, and (c) certainly does not pretend to be something it isn’t.

Instead, it leans confidently into what Japanese MPVs have always done best: space, comfort, efficiency and reliability. And it does so with enough premium touches.

For the family man who wants a dependable, fuss-free people mover, the Step Wgn (read as Step Wagon) Spada quietly ticks all the right boxes.

The Drive

Under the bonnet sits Honda’s familiar 2.0-litre i-VTEC hybrid setup, paired with an e-CVT transmission. On paper, the combined output stands at 181 bhp and an overall healthy 315 Nm of torque - the latter figure being particularly important in a car of this size. In typical Honda hybrid fashion, the electric motor does most of the heavy lifting at low speeds, delivering instant torque for smooth pull-offs and stress-free urban driving. The petrol engine chips in when required, particularly at higher speeds, but does so without fuss or drama.

This means performance is perfectly judged for its intended audience. No one is buying a Step Wgn Spada to win traffic light sprints, but on the expressway, it feels adequately brisk. Overtaking slower middle-lane traffic is done with confidence rather than commitment, and that is exactly how it should be. More importantly, power delivery is smooth and progressive, never abrupt; a quality that rear-seat passengers will appreciate far more than outright speed.

As a cruiser, the Step Wgn Spada impresses. Sound insulation is well managed, with minimal engine noise filtering into the cabin. At 90 km/h, the engine fades neatly into the background, leaving tyre and wind noise similarly well suppressed. Suspension tuning is classic Honda - compliant enough to deal with Singapore’s uneven road surfaces, yet controlled enough to avoid excessive body float. It strikes a reassuring balance that makes long drives genuinely relaxing.

The Inside Story

Dimensionally, the Step Wgn Spada makes excellent use of its footprint. A 2,888 mm wheelbase and a height of 1,846 mm translate into an MPV with a genuinely spacious cabin. The 2 + 2 + 3 seating layout works brilliantly, and yes, adults can sit comfortably in the third row without feeling like they’ve drawn the short straw (tried and tested). Legroom and headroom are generous, and the cabin never feels claustrophobic.

That said, the captain seats in the second row are where most passengers will want to be. They are broad, well-cushioned and exceptionally comfortable, the sort of seats that make falling asleep during extended drives almost inevitable. It is here that the Step Wgn Spada really reminds you what a family MPV should prioritise.

Boot space is another strong point. Even with all seats in place, there is ample room for daily family duties. Should you need more capacity, the third row folds flat into the floor with minimal effort; no wrestling, no awkward manoeuvres. With the seats down, the cargo area becomes wide, low and easy to access, making it surprisingly adept at swallowing bulky items without complaint.

Up front, the driving position is spot on. The seat offers good support, the steering wheel is well-sized, and visibility is excellent - something MPV buyers will appreciate when navigating tight multi-storey car parks. Ergonomics are straightforward, and nothing feels unnecessarily complicated.

The locally-fitted audio head unit, however, is a weak link. While it looks convincingly factory-fitted, its performance falls short of modern expectations. Apple CarPlay connectivity is inconsistent, and sound quality leaves much to be desired, with noticeable distortion at higher volumes. And the reverse camera? Its resolution is nowhere near as sharp as what we’re seeing in a sub-$200k Chinese EV. In an era where even budget Chinese EVs offer slick infotainment systems, this feels like an oversight. Realistically, upgrading the head unit and speakers will likely be the first modification an owners make after collecting the car.

Safety

On the safety front, Honda equips the Step Wgn Spada with their comprehensive Honda Sensing suite of active driver assistance systems as standard. Lane Keeping Assist, Collision Mitigation Braking System and Road Departure Mitigation System are all present, providing an extra layer of reassurance during the daily commute or longer family journeys.

And in case you’re wondering, it comes with 6 airbags.

In A Nutshell

The Honda Step Wgn Spada Hybrid is not a car that tries to impress with gimmicks or radical design. Instead, it wins you over with competence, comfort and consistency. It feels premium enough to justify its price (unfortunately COE premium and VES banding is not in its favour), drives smoothly, carries people effortlessly, and does exactly what a large family MPV should do - quietly and reliably.

And for many Singaporean families, that may be precisely why it makes so much sense.

Photos by Azfar Hashim (@azfar.talks)

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