Honda Step WGN e:HEV Minivan With Hybrid Powertrain Teased For Japan A Day After Its Toyota Rival

Honda has teased the new generation Step WGN minivan which will debut on January 7. The timing of the release coincides with the teaser/debut of the Toyota Noah and Voxy siblings that are considered its direct rivals alongside the Nissan Serena.

The new Step WGN will get Honda’s e:HEV hybrid powertrain making it more fuel-efficient than ever before. Design-wise, the minivan adopts simpler lines compared to its predecessor, with two-box proportions, a horizontal window line, and a flat tail. At the front, the new headlights have a more serious look featuring dynamic LED turn signals, while the grille has a satin-chrome surround.

The teaser also includes two pictures of the interior, showing a three-row seating layout with room for six passengers. The middle row consists of two individual seats with armrests and reclining footrests, while the dashboard has a large free-standing touchscreen for the infotainment. We should also expect more ADAS systems since Honda has made serious advancements in this sector. The lineup will include the Air and Spada trims, while there will also be a wheelchair-accessible variant.

The first generation of the Step WGN debuted in 1996, so 2022 marks its 25th anniversary. The current fifth-generation model was introduced in 2015 together with the 1.5 VTEC Turbo engine and received a facelift in 2017, so it was about time for a clean-sheet design. The outgoing model was also available in the sporty-looking Modulo X trim, so it will be interesting to see if Honda prepares something similar for the sixth generation.

Honda will be revealing more information about the Step WGN e:HEV on its official website prior to its full reveal on January 7. The first deliveries of the minivan are expected to commence in Japan in spring 2022.