Box-ing match: How the Toyota Noah and Honda Step Wgn – two boxy MPVs – stack up against each other

SINGAPORE – Families need space, and do not let anyone tell you otherwise.

On the road, nothing beats the trusty multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) when it comes to offering space. Which is why MPVs are making a comeback, after years of being overshadowed by sport utility vehicles.

Two new mid-sized models arrived in late 2025, within weeks of each other: The Toyota Noah and Honda Step Wgn.

At first glance, it would appear the two are fairly similar – boxy to a fault, and equipped with twin sliding doors, three rows of seats and a tailgate so huge you can set up a pop-up cafe under it.

But as this comparative review will show you, they are actually quite different.

The Noah is 4,695mm long, 1,730mm wide and 1,845mm tall with a 2,850mm wheelbase and 1,640kg kerb weight. The Step Wgn (pronounced “wagon”) is 4,829mm long, 1,752mm wide and 1,846mm tall with a 2,888mm wheelbase and 1,845kg kerb weight.

The Honda’s bigger dimensions translate to a roomier interior. Compact adults seated in its third row will still have a few centimetres of space between their knees and the backrest of a second-row seat. In the Toyota, the gap is barely 1cm.

Both cars have more headroom than you know what to do with. As for hip room, the Honda is 1cm wider, which is surprising given that the car is 2.2cm wider on the outside than the Toyota.

The second-row seats on both cars can be moved forward to free up more space in the third, but that would compromise ingress and egress. And in the Honda’s case, you might not be able to deploy the flip-up leg rests in the second row.

When all seats are up, both cars have enough cargo space to accommodate a bi-fold bicycle with its handlebar detached. If the third row is unused, you could carry the proverbial kitchen sink in either car.

The Honda’s third row folds and collapses into a sunken recess to form a flat floor, while the Toyota’s folds and flips up to either side of the cabin to do likewise. The operation in the Toyota requires removing one headrest.

There is more width and height to the Honda’s stowage. Both cars rely on a fussy roof-anchored seatbelt for the third row’s middle seat. And both are equipped with an air-con control panel in the second row, and vents all round.

The Honda has more power outlets, which is handy if you have teenagers with power-hungry devices.

The Honda’s interior feels more modern and premium, with a level of fit and finish that is at least half a notch above the Toyota’s. The latter feels dated, especially in the cockpit. The Toyota sticks to an old-fashioned transmission lever, while the Honda is furnished with a push-button system.

Phone-pairing is much easier with the Honda’s 11-inch infotainment touchscreen, while the Toyota’s 9-inch touchscreen tends to get stuck in camera mode when a signal stalk is flicked.

The Toyota has a 360-degree reverse camera, while the Honda has a basic planar-view camera. Both cars are easy to drive and manoeuvre, with excellent visibility all round.

The Toyota is slightly more nimble around tight spaces, but piloting the Honda in all but the narrowest carpark ramps is not daunting either.

As both cars exceed 1.8m in height, neither can enter some older carparks.

At the wheel, the Honda is more enjoyable. The car displays substantially more refinement than its rival, with a powertrain which remains smooth and muted even when extended.

The suspension of both cars are tuned for comfort, but I prefer the Honda’s set-up because it conveys confidence at the same time.

The Honda is punchier, while the Toyota is more fuel-efficient. For this test drive, the Step Wgn averages 7.5 litres/100km, compared with the Noah’s 6.5 litres/100km.

Both cars are equipped with an equally responsive adaptive cruise control (ACC), but the Honda’s silkier acceleration makes life on the road more pleasant – whether ACC is activated or not.

Unlike the Honda, the Toyota’s automatic brake-hold function has to be activated for every journey.

Only the Honda has proximity-triggered door locking and unlocking, which to me is one of the greatest conveniences. It also has a motorised tailgate, while the Toyota’s relies entirely on elbow grease.

Neither car has inbuilt navigation, so you will have to use phone-based Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The latter requires a cable in both cars, which is just as well because neither has wireless phone charging.

Deciding which is right for you depends on your priorities. The Toyota costs less to buy and run, but is not as polished. The Honda offers more space and comfort as well as more refinement and driving enjoyment. If you have to negotiate tight carpark ramps, small carpark spaces and narrower U-turns often, the Toyota may suit you more.

But to me, the Honda is clearly the superior car. Although both cars attain three out of five stars in ST Motoring’s multi-component ranking, the Honda’s absolute score is 16 per cent higher than the Toyota’s.

Toyota Noah 1.8 Hybrid Elegance

Price: $236,888 with COE before applicable discounts
Engine: 1,798cc 16-valve inline-4 paired with electric motor
Transmission: Continuously variable
Engine power: 96hp at 5,200rpm
Engine torque: 142Nm at 3,600rpm
Motor power: 93hp (rpm unknown)
Motor torque: 185Nm (rpm unknown)
0-100kmh: 11.7 seconds
Top speed: 160kmh
Fuel consumption: 4.4 litres/100km
Range: 1,180km
Agent: Borneo Motors
Rating: ★★★☆☆

Honda Step Wgn 2.0 Spada

Price: $233,999 with COE before applicable discounts
Engine: 1,993cc 16-valve inline-4 paired with electric motor
Transmission: Continuously variable with paddle shift
Engine power: 143hp at 6,200rpm
Engine torque: 175Nm at 3,300-5,500rpm
Motor power: 181hp at 5,000-6,000rpm
Motor torque: 315Nm at 0-2,000rpm
0-100kmh: 9.7 seconds
Top speed: 160kmh
Fuel consumption: 5 litres/100km
Range: 1,040km
Agent: Kah Motor
Rating: ★★★☆☆