Carscape Team
Honda Step Wagon vs Toyota Noah / Voxy Which one should you buy for the latest middle-sized minivan!
In 2022, Toyota Noah/Voxy and Honda Step Wagon, which are popular minivans that have become standard family cars, have undergone full model changes. The new Honda Stepwagon, which went on sale in May 2022, has sold more than 27,000 units in about a month since its launch, which is more than five times the monthly sales volume of 5,000 units. . On the other hand, the Toyota Noah/Voxy has a slight delay in delivery due to semiconductor shortages, but orders are going well. It is said that there is already a one-year wait for delivery. Which one should you buy, such a new step wagon or Noah / Voxy?
Innovative Noah/Voxy, advanced Stepwagon
Both Noah/Voxy and Stepwagon have undergone a full model change, but the contents are different. The Noah/Voxy has a completely new powertrain, including the frame of the car, while the Stepwagon carries over many of its predecessors. In a nutshell, Noah/Voxy is innovation, and Stepwagon is deepening. Let’s start with Noah/Voxy.
Noah/Voxy revamped from the platform
The current 4th generation Noah/Voxy was born as a “more comfortable,” “more convenient,” and “more secure” minivan that makes everyone want to go out and do what they want to do. The TNGA platform (GA-C), which is Toyota’s vehicle structural reform, is adopted as the platform that is the skeleton of the car.
By adopting this platform, the body size is 4,695mm in length x 1,730mm in width x 1,895mm in height (1,925mm for 4WD vehicles), making it the size of all three cars. As before, Noah has two grade configurations, a standard model and an aero model, but the Voxy has only an aero model. The vehicle body price of Noah is 2.67 to 3.89 million yen. Voxy is characterized by its differentiation from 3.09 million yen to 3.96 million yen.
Appearance of Noah/Voxy with stronger extrusion overall
The exterior design of Noah’s standard model is a dignified and modern style with a grille decorated with the skin color and a sharp lamp graphic, while the aero model has a front and wide and low profile with a plated grille that creates a gorgeous and strong sense of protruding. The rear of the stance expresses the aggressiveness of the classic aero style.
The Voxy combines a thin upper and a thick square lower to achieve a three-dimensional structure with strong contrast and unique graphics. The characteristic front and rear lamps that glow suspiciously emphasize its presence even at night.
The interior features a low and wide horizontal instrument panel, door trim, assist grips, air conditioning vents, and other features around the roof, creating an open space with a great view.
Noah/Voxy has a new generation hybrid system
There are two types of powertrains to be installed. A 2L in-line 4-cylinder dynamic force engine + CVT that achieves high thermal efficiency generating a maximum output of 170ps and a maximum torque of 202Nm. This CVT is equipped with a 10-speed sequential shiftmatic that allows you to enjoy manual-like shift changes.
Another 1.8L engine + motor hybrid system has completely redesigned electric modules. It is a new-generation hybrid system with high output motor and battery and high efficiency system. In addition to gasoline vehicles, the long-awaited 4WD is also available for hybrid vehicles. Fuel efficiency is 14.3-15.1km/L for the gasoline model. The hybrid vehicle is 22.0-23.4km/L, which is the top level in its class.
Noah / Voxy’s driving support system, which was a weak point, is strengthened at once
The driving support system, which was unsatisfactory in the previous model, has been strengthened at once, and all models are equipped with the latest preventive safety package “Toyota Safety Sense” with improved functions as standard equipment. Including “Proactive Driving Assist”, which is the first Toyota vehicle to be installed, advanced driving support technology “Toyota Team Mate” adopts “Advanced Drive (Assistance during traffic jams)”. In addition, a safe and convenient connected service, T-Connect optional service, is also provided.
Noah/Voxy’s 7-passenger second row has captain seats and a back door.
The basic performance is also substantial, and captain seats are used for the second seats of the 7-seater model. In addition to the first ottoman mechanism and seat heater in its class, it is equipped with a large foldable side table. The 8-passenger model uses a 3-passenger bench seat with a 6:4 split tip-up seat for the second seat. “Universal step” (passenger side) is set for vehicles equipped with a power sliding door. Along with opening and closing the power sliding door, the steps are mechanically expanded and retracted from the bottom of the door using a “mechanism”. By reducing the step height to 200mm, it is easy to get on and off for everyone in the family, from children to the elderly.
The back door adopts the world’s first “free stop back door” that can be held at any angle when opening and closing. By pressing the back door, it is possible to stop at any angle using a “mechanism”, improving usability.
Noah/Voxy, which boasted overwhelming sales volume even in the predecessor model, was unsatisfactory in the driving support function in the predecessor model. This point has been greatly improved and the car is finished with no gaps.
This is also a step wagon that has become the highest model of Honda minivan with all cars 3 numbers
On the other hand, the Step Wagon has been discontinued from the Odyssey and is the highest model in Honda’s minivan lineup. Along with that, we are aiming for the largest indoor space among Honda vehicles sold in Japan and living comfort like a living room where you can spend comfortably in any seat.
The body size of the step wagon is 4,800 mm in length (4,830 mm in some parts), 1,750 mm in width, and 1,840 to 1,855 mm in height, which is also the number 3 size for all cars. The grade system has changed significantly, and the AIR (air), which was set instead of the standard car, and the aero model Spada. And three types of Spada Premium Line, which adds a sense of quality based on Spada. The vehicle body price ranges from 2,998,600 yen to 3,846,700 yen.
The body frame has a long wheelbase of 2,890 mm, and the front and rear tread widths have been widened to achieve high stability when going straight and turning even with a large body. In addition, sound insulation and sound absorption materials have been added, especially in the rear, and the floor has been made highly rigid, making all seats from the first row to his third row quieter and more comfortable.
The interior and exterior design of the step wagon stands out for its cleanliness
As for the exterior design, the Air has a clean and simple design with thin plated malls to express a sense of quality. Spada expresses strength with a wide and heavy front grille and plated moldings placed around the entire lower end of the body. The Spada Premium Line is based on Spada and has a platinum-like chrome-plated decoration to enhance its texture.
The horizontal design of the interior stabilizes the driver’s field of vision and prevents motion sickness. Air is a bright room with warm colors that feels like a living room. Spada is finished in a high-quality interior space with a dark tone color that gives a stylish impression. The Spada Premium Line features suede-like skin and prime smooth combination seats to further enhance the texture.
There is no 4WD setting for the step wagon hybrid
The installed powertrain is a 1.5L in-line 4-cylinder turbo + CVT that generates a maximum output of 150ps and a maximum torque of 203Nm. And there are two types of hybrid systems called e:HEV, which combines a 2L engine and two motors that drive and generate power. The drive system is mainly 2WD (FF), and 4WD is set only for 1.5L turbo cars. Fuel efficiency is 13.1-13.9km/L for the 1.5L turbo model. The e:HEV is 19.5-20.0km/L.
Step wagon with enhanced driving support system
All models are equipped with the latest safe driving support system “Honda SENSING” as standard equipment. Adaptive cruise control (ACC) has been enhanced with a traffic jam follow-up function for all types, as well as a backward false start suppression function, short-distance collision mitigation brake, auto high beam, and traffic jam assist, which is a traffic jam driving support function. I’m here. In addition, through Honda CONNECT, an in-vehicle communication module equipped with next-generation connected technology, Honda provides Honda Total Care Premium, a connected service that allows customers to enjoy a safer and more comfortable car life.
The step wagon’s slide door and back door are also devised!
In terms of basic performance, the power sliding door adopts the world’s first electrostatic touch sensor type that can be opened and closed with a light fingertip in addition to the conventional handle operation. In addition, the power tailgate has a memory function that allows the opening angle to be set arbitrarily, improving usability even in tight spaces. All types are equipped with the “Clean Air” air conditioning system as standard equipment, which detects fine particles such as PM2.5 in the atmosphere and purifies the air through a combination of air conditioning control and filters. We provide clean air conditioning in the car to all.
Noah/Voxy’s driving performance has evolved significantly, but the Step Wagon still has the upper hand
This time, I was able to test drive the Noah 2.0S-G 8-seater and the Step Wagon Spada e:HEV. It is Noah that has evolved significantly from the predecessor model. The driving support function has evolved at once, but the redesigned platform, which is the skeleton of the car, not only improves the comfort of the ride, but also increases the stability of the car. Originally, the Step Wagon has a reputation for its high running performance, but Noah is quite close to the Step Wagon.
However, despite its large body, the Step WGN has high torsional rigidity and is characterized by no delay in body movement after turning the steering wheel. The Stepwagon still leads in this regard. However, even among the same hybrids, Noah is overwhelmingly ahead in terms of fuel efficiency.
Noah has more equipment, but the step wagon is better for storing the third row seats
In the previous model, the step wagon was the winner of the driving support system, but the Noah has recovered at once, and the ability is on par. In the interior, the Noah also has comfortable equipment that was previously only available on the flagship model, such as an ottoman mechanism on the second seat. Although the evolution of Noah stands out overall, I personally focused on the difference in the storage of the third row seats. The step wagon is a storage type under the floor, and the Noah is a flip-up type. Since the flip-up type blocks the rear view, it can be said that the step wagon is leading in this regard.
I want to recommend Noah/Voxy, which is hard to choose, but has a large evolutionary range
Both the Noah and the Step Wagon are very well finished, so it’s hard to decide which one is better, but I would like to recommend the Noah/Voxy, which have evolved by completely eliminating the negatives of their predecessors. However, hybrid vehicles are said to take more than a year to be delivered. That’s the only thing I would like to see improved as soon as possible. The two cars are evenly matched in terms of ability for a short drive, but I’m curious to see what happens on a long drive.
