‘I’m an auto enthusiast - the coolest Honda you’ve never heard of is a well-kept secret’

A car expert has explored a Japanese Domestic Market vehicle that never made it to the US as a new model - but remains in production since its 1990s launch.

Honda’s Stepwgn on display

This Honda Stepwgn seats up to 8 passengers (Image: YouTube: @TFLcar)

A car enthusiast has shown US drivers a feature-packed Honda that never made its way into North American dealerships as a new model.

The vehicle, named Stepwgn, is a minivan made since 1997, primarily sold within the Japanese Domestic Market. 

This auto expert’s video for The Fast Lane Car (@TFLcar) starts with him highlighting how the model’s steering wheel is on the right side, reflecting its Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) status. 

Surrounding this Honda’s steering wheel is a wood-paneled interior the clip’s car enthusiast shows stretching from door to door. 

Next, the video’s presenter hops out to get a broader view of the vehicle, revealing its exterior as featuring a roof pop-up feature providing one or two people in the minivan with a place to sleep.

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A newer 2016 version of Honda’s Stepwgn on display

The Stepwgn features a pop-up deck creating one of the vehicle’s two sleeping areas (Image: Getty)

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Below this pop-up sleeping area are two rows of seating facing each other that can accommodate up to six passengers. 

The rear seating row furthest toward the minivan’s back latch also contains a pullable strap that folds the bench backward, creating a second sleeping area. 

This clip’s presenter ends his quick overview of the JDM vehicle by informing viewers that the model’s powertrain borrows its engine from Honda’s smaller CR-V SUV.

In the video’s comments, viewers applauded Honda’s efforts toward making this late 1990s minivan.

One YouTube account wrote: “A missed opportunity for Honda. I think this would’ve done really well in this country if it was marketed correctly.”

Another viewer commented: “All it needs is a TV, and you have a living room on wheels.”



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