Bread Van selection - Noah, Spada Stepwgn, Serena

[Atrecord]

On 4/9/2025 at 11:29 AM, Lala81 said:

Infrequent use. Maybe once a week 6 pax at most. Usually short journeys. They stay at clementi. So only between my sis place at West coast to clementi actually. Which is usually just a 8min drive.

Or sometimes when I bring them out for dinner when my sis is not in SG.

That's why i switched my target to a 5+2. 

If I'm not wrong, the M6 still has a slight boot space. Freed the back headrest is near the glass liao.

ok. as long as you're aware of this point, have given it due thoughts, before making your decision, then all good.

I knew for Wish, the headrest was almost touching the glass from day 1, but it just didn't occur to me the risks involved... While we hardly went fully-loaded, for the first 2 years of owning it, wife sat in 3rd row with a baby seat next to her, while a second baby seat was put in middle row, when we went out as a family. Vehicle was not wide enough to put 2 baby seats on middle row, as wife needed to be beside the boy, and we didn't want to put one baby seat on front row as got airbag, hence that config... Only till the elder one graduated from baby seat, then we used the 3rd row less - only when going out with my parents together.

And all that time, i didn't quite realise the risk... it was only until after we changed cars, then it struck me how unsafe it was...

oh another thing: how old and tall are your kids now? My son almost grew up with the car, and of course used to sit 3rd row when we went out with my parents...

then he grew up... quite tall too. by sec 1 when we changed car, he was already complaining space very cramped... he was probably ~1.6+ m then. The sister at sec 3, was prob ~1.7 m, so both of them were complaining when asked to sit on 3rd row.

you're taller than me, so if your kids are also going to be tall, then it's painful/expensive... 😅 

The kids grow quickly betw p4-s4, before they slow down/stop. If you're going to keep the car till that period/stage, you might do well to get (= pay for) more space in advance.

FYI, my son overtook me when he turned 16/17...

[steveting99]

If BYD ever decides to make a RHD version of their Xia hybrid MPV it would give the Noah, Spada and Serena hybrid MPVs some headaches in terms of competition here: https://cnevpost.com/2025/01/08/byd-launches-xia/ 

Edited April 11, 2025 by steveting99
add pics

[Heartlander]

On 4/11/2025 at 9:06 AM, steveting99 said:

If BYD ever decides to make a RHD version of their Xia hybrid MPV it would give the Noah, Spada and Serena hybrid MPVs some headaches in terms of competition here: https://cnevpost.com/2025/01/08/byd-launches-xia/ 

One is 4.7m, the other one is 5.2m. Totally different category. Not everyone is xiao BYD lah.

[Heartlander]

More likely it will give D9, 009, X9 and whatever 9 a good fight it is essentially same product just different in terms of power technology, ie EV vs plug-in hybrid. As a PHEV with range of 100km or 160km, it is best of both world. I really give it to Chinese EVs, even model naming also must have a 9 as if it will elevate it to higher class. Not sure whether its operating system also work in progress when delivered. Pay so much yet getting essentially unfinished product. 

Edited April 11, 2025 by Heartlander

[inlinesix]

Interesting 

 

[steveting99]

On 4/11/2025 at 10:18 AM, Heartlander said:

One is 4.7m, the other one is 5.2m. Totally different category. Not everyone is xiao BYD lah.

How about the down to earth Altera L8s which is currently assembled by contract manufacturer PT Handal Indonesia Motor’s factory in Purwakarta, West Jawa, Indonesia? They are going to make RHD versions for overseas markets.  The Altera L8 is the electric version of Geely's Jiaji L.

Comes with seven seats in a 2-2-3 layout. 

Ground clearance is listed as above 160 mm.

Boot space is a bit limited at 459L.

Has captain chairs in the 2nd row to accommodate older passengers. Suitable for Lala81 needs for carrying grand parents with the older kids.

The electric people-carrier's dimensions are 4,812 mm long, 1,909 mm wide and 1,699 mm tall, with a 2,807 mm wheelbase.

Interior isn't premium nor luxurious, but much better than Noah, Spada and Serena.

The base L8 variant has a 50.4 kWh LFP battery which can do 431 km in CLTC range (about 336 kms under WLTP). The top end L8s carries a 64.74 kWh short-blade battery for 540 km CLTC (about 420 kms under WLTP). Both variants have the same 122kW (163 PS) with 240 Nm motor, getting the Altera L8 from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.7 seconds. Top speed is 160 km/h.

Equipment includes a panoramic roof, auto wipers, 360 deg cam, blind spot monitoring, 7" TFT full-LCD combination instrument panel, 50W wireless phone charging, 72-colour ambient lighting, six-way electrically-adjustable front seats and a 12.4" touch-screen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Both versions would come with Level 2 driver safety system. 

The Aletra L8 is much bigger than the BYD M6 and priced at Rp 468 juta in Indonesia. It should make its way over the causeway for about RM122k if it comes over to Singapore would give BYD some competition if priced right. 

 

Edited May 28, 2025 by steveting99
typo

[Lala81]

Got a BYD M6 as a 6 seater Grab returning from Changi on Sat.
Was expecting the usual Noah but got that instead.
Need a 6 seater as 2 x 28" + 2 cabin + 1 duffel bag and 2 backpacks.

Wanted to ask the driver got any feedback but saw his car only odometer 5000km. And he already drive like tortoise. Don't distract him further...

Though can feel the car move off is struggling a bit to move off under fully loaded scenario.
Almost certainly will be my next car simply cos of the price point and functionality. Unless something new comes out.

 

Drove the Noah in JP. Other than need the ICE to go uphill then it becomes the usual underpowered noisy ICE, actually no complaints at all.
Super visibility, although yeah lah it drives like a van. But pretty refined up to 110kph.
no driver arm-rest and no arm rest for the rear seat is not so good.

If hybrid cars weren't so expensive here, would consider it.

[Jp66]

@Lala81 in case the Serena is still in your radar. My colleague told me TC is very aggressive to let go 2 units of 2024 stock @$188K 2 weeks ago. At the end, he still took the outgoing Forester @ $189K.

[Lala81]

On 12/29/2025 at 6:52 PM, Jp66 said:

@Lala81 in case the Serena is still in your radar. My colleague told me TC is very aggressive to let go 2 units of 2024 stock @$188K 2 weeks ago. At the end, he still took the outgoing Forester @ $189K.

thanks for the info. Wow. that's cheap, even though 2024 stock is quite long ago.

But my COE is May 2028, so i can wait.

 

[Tianmo]

On 12/29/2025 at 5:33 PM, Lala81 said:

Got a BYD M6 as a 6 seater Grab returning from Changi on Sat.
Was expecting the usual Noah but got that instead.
Need a 6 seater as 2 x 28" + 2 cabin + 1 duffel bag and 2 backpacks.

Wanted to ask the driver got any feedback but saw his car only odometer 5000km. And he already drive like tortoise. Don't distract him further...

Though can feel the car move off is struggling a bit to move off under fully loaded scenario.
Almost certainly will be my next car simply cos of the price point and functionality. Unless something new comes out.

 

Drove the Noah in JP. Other than need the ICE to go uphill then it becomes the usual underpowered noisy ICE, actually no complaints at all.
Super visibility, although yeah lah it drives like a van. But pretty refined up to 110kph.
no driver arm-rest and no arm rest for the rear seat is not so good.

If hybrid cars weren't so expensive here, would consider it.

M6 I strongly believe is one of their numbers contribution, it basically took over the WISH drivers. My SE told me now they can do up the frunk in house. 

But 2028 still far, who knows what is going to change. Maybe start paying attention only come 2027. 

 

[S2007]

For medium sized mpv with load of space, I think only Noah, Serena and Stepwagon. Very difficult to find medium EV with large tall boot/space to put bicycles inside.

 

[Ake109]

On 12/29/2025 at 9:13 PM, Tianmo said:

M6 I strongly believe is one of their numbers contribution, it basically took over the WISH drivers. My SE told me now they can do up the frunk in house. 

But 2028 still far, who knows what is going to change. Maybe start paying attention only come 2027. 

 

No need believe or not, its their only MPV so if u look at the monthly stats from LTA, can see exactly how many registered each month. Its a big chunk.

[Ake109]

On 12/29/2025 at 9:13 PM, Tianmo said:

M6 I strongly believe is one of their numbers contribution, it basically took over the WISH drivers. My SE told me now they can do up the frunk in house. 

But 2028 still far, who knows what is going to change. Maybe start paying attention only come 2027. 

 

https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltagov/who_we_are/statistics_and_publications/statistics/pdf/MVP02-2_New_Cars_by_make.pdf

3.1k M6 registered in 2025.

[Mt88]

Love the bread vans for the airiness like double ceiling home. Took delivery a Stepwgn 2.0 e-HEV Spada recently from KM, after been using Voxy/Noah 1.8L Hybrid for quite sometime. Comparing them, IMO Stepwgn is literally one class above Voxy, SW is a CRV or Accord category, while Voxy is corolla cat.

1. Stepwgn Interior is taller 1.85m. longer 20cm and wider 2cm, hence more spacious for all 3 rows. Even adult can relax at the 3rd row unlike Voxy which is tighter at the last rows. Effective interior space of SW is bigger, roomier than Alphard. SW interior is slightly upper than Voxy hard plastics everywhere

2. SW exterior is longer and taller. Confirmed by many users in Japan, Toyota often mislead their customers with over inflated specs but in actual lower. 

3. Power is literally a class above. SW is based on Accord engine medium size car, while Voxy/Noah is based on smaller Corolla engine. SW 310Nm torque similar to 3L ICE engine is double than 148Nm at Voxy. The result is obvious, power delivery is smooth and powerful, climbing is effortless and so much quieter

4. Handling. People always think Toyota is softer than Honda. The SW surprised me. it is not the case. Voxy is more swinging, harsher and bumpier. SW is more subtle, more stable and actually a lot more comfortable. Voxy running at highway is like driving 1.3-1.5L ice, handling is harsher lighter and unstable hence create fear of speed. SW is effortless quiet and stable hence need to watch not to overspeed.

5. Body. Voxy chassis is flexing and creaky while SW is more solid but at the penalties of over 150kg heavier 

6. Engine harshness and power: SW wins hands down. No competition there.

7. Hybrid tech. SW is more like driving EV. ICE is assisting the EV, more like PHEV but with much smaller battery, but no need to plug in. Voxy is more like driving small ICE car with some small battery help. At the start with AC on, the toyota smallish hybrid battery easily depleted over 1-2 minutes slow drive and ice takes over till it is charged again. IMO, i find toyota's small battery mild hybrid is more of stop gap kindda thing, get bored easily.

8. Fuel consumption. Toyota claim always high in actual even with a light foot 70% cruising hw, top up the fuel to the brim every time, with AC on in Sg whether my best result is only 16-17km/l, At NSHW it drops to 14-15km/l. I cannot help to think that Toyota is cheating their customers. Quick search of Japanese users youtube, many experienced the same and many complains of harshness and noisy cabin. No meaningful average fuel consumption for SW. Will update accordingly.

9. Auto door and tailgate. At toyota, user need to press and hold to open/close the sliding door, unintuitive especially when in hurry. SW a soft tough to open/close immediately, save time. Toyota Voxy auto tailgate is much noisier than SW. The walk away auto door close for SW is much classier than the need to manually lock at Voxy.

10. Reliability, no meaningful events with my ex voxy which is a good thing. Day to day is quite reliable, but my mileage is rather low. My friend's higher mileage voxy need to replace the rear noisy bearing and master-brake which according to the mechanic normal for voxy. 

I tested the Serena, based on my personal preference, not very fond of it. Clunky, old. outdated and thirstier.  

 

 

[13177]

I see many spada on the road. 

[Mt88]

On 2/16/2026 at 5:39 AM, 13177 said:

I see many spada on the road. 

True, quite a lot of PI Spada but not as many as Noah, the clear favourite for PHV drivers. Noah from BM is almost 20K cheaper than SW from KM

[Mt88]

Being driven in Tesla Y, I can really feel the difference in comfort. Tesla is harder and bounce like a sport car, while Stepwgn is comfortable and relaxing. I think the main drawback of EV like Tesla Y, is a harder suspension to counter the extra weight for battery resulting at poorer comfort.

Various tests by professional have shown that Serena has fallen way behind in actual drivability, speed, braking and overall safety. In my short encounter with Serena, I can feel its overall weakness. A common functionality is slow and clunky and not user friendly, example changing gear shifter need to slowly digest, look down which button to press (two thumbs down). 

 

 

 

 

[ShardSpear]

On 4/11/2025 at 9:06 AM, steveting99 said:

If BYD ever decides to make a RHD version of their Xia hybrid MPV it would give the Noah, Spada and Serena hybrid MPVs some headaches in terms of competition here: https://cnevpost.com/2025/01/08/byd-launches-

The RHD version of BYD M9 was officially launched in Brunei in early Feb. Go Google on it…