Bread Van selection - Noah, Spada Stepwgn, Serena

[steveting99]

On 2/27/2026 at 1:08 AM, ShardSpear said:

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

Thanks for the heads up! Waiting to see when Sime Darby decides to bring the BYD M9 over to the Malaysian peninsular and eventually through Vantage Auto into Singapore.

Wondering if BYD is going to bring the M9 under their Linghui brand for the ride hailing market to suite Grab & Co.: https://carnewschina.com/2026/02/21/byd-revealed-linghui-m9-mpv-official-images-for-the-ride-hailing-market/ or keep it under it's own namesake for everyone else.  

[Mt88]

Second updates. User perspective of Honda Stepwgn Hybrid premium (from local Kah), after using a Toyota Voxy Hydrid (from PI)

• Cabin Road Noise:  At highway speed 80-90kmh, using sound meter application, the interior of Stepwgn is quieter at 72-76db vs 75-79db for Voxy. At higher speed the wind noise start to creep-in from the A pillars, but reduced when the car is well polished. Engine noise at normal usage is almost unheard off, unlike Toyota which is louder. The floor insulation of SW is thick enough, but probably can add more sound-deadening to the door and wheel arc. I like the ER33 Turanza 205/55/17 tire, it is comfortable and handles very well.
• Cabin material: Clean Zen-like with reliable Japanese functionality. Love the knobs and dials and USB ports for every seat. Dashboard with some leathery stich, the hard plastic is refined with suede lining, clean and not pretentious at all. Some hard plastic at lower door. Cabin is solid and free from rattles unlike Voxy which rattles due to a cheaper unrefined hard plastic everywhere. Love the soft courtesy lights at the door steps which is installed by KM.
• The 11" iLX-F511E Alpine head unit is not fully integrated to the dials and steering control to take advantage of what Honda cluster capable for, unlike the JDM version with navi option. The basic volume, fast forward etc work with the steering button but overall deeper AV menus does not show-up at the main instrument cluster, a shame. There is no 360 camera, only rear camera. The sound system quality is mediocre. It is a shame for a car of this level.
• Safety features all, ACC, LKAS, Sensing, Blindspot, Radar sensors all works well and well sort out without glitches unlike some EVs that has it all but fall short and messy in actual usage. The instrument cluster is in English unlike the PI version. I especially like DLR, sequential signal, the built in side spot-light which is unique to Honda, brighten up the dark corners/ front-sides when turning the wheel. Voxy and Serena do not have this useful safety feature.
• Chime and bell notifications. The welcoming chime and animation at the cluster when entering the car is very good, gives an aura of comfort safe and welcoming just like some EU cars. The chime is pleasant and not over. Example: when closing the sliding door, it is immediately with a short beep very classy. Unlike Toyota beep all the way un-necessarily for a simple job closing sliding door or tailgate, very "ah-beng". No welcome animation and chime for Voxy.
• The Stepwgn engine and hybrid motor are powerful and refined, very enjoyable to drive at any speed. The e-motor draws the smallish battery rather aggressive. But there is no moment that I feel the power is lacking, even when on Econ mode (which is still powerful but smoother). The honda e-cvt system works like a charm. Unlike the slightly jerky cvt at Toyota at lower speed. The eco drive mode in Voxy lack of power and making the engine "scream" very loud when you ask for more power. The Voxy gas and power feel rubbery and dull to drive. Make you feel  like you are driving a 1 litre economy car. An experienced driver can instantly feel that the dual i-MMD Honda Hybrid is better than the mild THS Toyota Voxy Hybrid system.
• Without launch control mode (Sport+ which can be added as optional parts) the Stepwgn does the 0-100kmh in 8.5-9 seconds which is faster than the older 3L V6 Elysion and faster than 2.5LAlphard hybrid. Toyota Voxy Hybrid 1.8L takes a leisure 11-12 seconds to clear 0-100kmh, shessh..
• Fuel economy. Stepwgn is rated at 19.6km/l. In actual 50-50 city and highway, I gets around 16.5-17.5km/l at the cluster. During the delivery of the car by KM, the cluster shows only 9L/100km or 11.1km/L, maybe a lot of idling. The overall fuel consumption from the delivery is now increase to around 13.5km/l. I have yet to refill the 52L tank which roughly can last around 800+km. I do not know how accurate the indicator fuel economy of Stepwgn to the actual for now.
• For Toyota Voxy Hybrid, I really suspect Toyota is cheating by giving a high reading at the instrument (similar to VW diesel gate). In actual I find Toyota Hybrid is not so fuel efficient. With 50-50, the Voxy indicator shows as high as 18.7km/l to 19.6 km/l. BUT after re-fuelling the tank to the brim each time, the ACTUAL fuel consumption calculated around 15.9-16.7km/l, which is short of almost 2-3km/l, or worse 10 to 15% to the actual reading of fuel consumption at the cluster. The instrument also falsely gives higher range of 750km, but in actual the smallish 45L tank of Voxy can only last around 600+km before refuelling. This highly inaccurate actual vs claim is typical Toyota. Car testers need to manually calculated its efficiency and cannot depends on Toyota claims. Smaller engine does not always give a better fuel efficiency, especially when the power output is lacking. The result user often demand more power at the expense of worse fuel economy. A more powerful engine will result a relax drive which is more fuel efficient.
• Overall, coming from Toyota Voxy Hybrid to Honda Stepwgn Hybrid, I think Honda is definitely a better Bread-Van. It is a lot more enjoyable for the driver and the passengers. More comfortable, stable, solid and perhaps efficient than Voxy or Serena. I think Honda has improved quite a lot. Toyota Voxy on the other hand wins on bold design, cosmetics and lower price. For a BreadVan other than price, the Chinese EV has yet to match the space, comfort, utility and the reliability of what Stepwgn can offer. It is a shame that local SG KM never know how to sell good car competitively unlike its counterpart at Asean countries. On SG road quite a lot Stepwgn are JDM version from PI shown by its smaller 16in wheel.

 

[L23]

On 2/27/2026 at 9:36 AM, steveting99 said:

Thanks for the heads up! Waiting to see when Sime Darby decides to bring the BYD M9 over to the Malaysian peninsular and eventually through Vantage Auto into Singapore.

Wondering if BYD is going to bring the M9 under their Linghui brand for the ride hailing market to suite Grab & Co.: https://carnewschina.com/2026/02/21/byd-revealed-linghui-m9-mpv-official-images-for-the-ride-hailing-market/ or keep it under it's own namesake for everyone else.  

Easily SGD 300k.

Imagine telling your Chinese folk in China that u bought their car at 1.5m RMB😁

[JamesChua1121]

@Mt88 Hi, need a 7 seater and am seriously considering between Stepwagon, Alphard, Carnival. Your review is really timely n helpful! Only visually saw Stepwagon but I felt it was well built, practical and value buy. Would like to ask, have tried the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow (LSF), is it smooth? Also would you consider PI as I saw some PI units have 360 camera. Thanks!

[Mt88]

@JamesChua1121  Hi James, go and try it yourself. You will be surprised how well it handles. There is no time I feel insecure driving it, in low or high speed. it is so stable, no harshness and quiet unlike my previous Voxy. The only thing you need to watch not to over-speed.

The good thing about local KM SW is the indicator all in English and the 17 in wheel looks good. I also saw the reviews said the 17 in wheel actually handles better, more comfy than the 16 in wheel. The suspension soaks the road imperfection very well and drive like a luxurious conti car way above this price level.

ACC and LSF are smooth and clever enough to mitigate a car that cutting your line. You can adjust how far or near it follows the car in front of you. There is animation in the indicator to show you the car in front and at the sides part of the safety equipment unique to Honda. The LKAS will help to correct to stay in the line, and an indicator will light up to notify veers off the line. The LKAS will not auto correct if you signal. Signal also has two modes (like conti car). One for changing lane and the other to turn. Even on Sensing mode, it will warn you to put your hand on the steering wheel at all time.

You can see the manual here https://www.honda.co.jp/ownersmanual/webom/jpn/stepwgnehev/2026/details/136259090-112446.html (set your chrome or google to auto translate)

And the best part is, on the stop and go traffic, just activate the auto Brake Hold function. When the auto brake hold activated, there is an animation to show that your brake and brake light are on, and indicator that auto brake hold is activated, very clever! To release it the auto hold, just press the gas pedal and drive as per-normal, no need to touch the brake hold button again. At the next stop it will auto hold the brake again and you can relax your foot. It is not tiring at all. The brake hold functions very smooth and and not jerky at all. I no longer want any car without this function. I cannot believe how much Honda has progress. Voxy/Noah and Serena does not have this useful function. 

As for the 11" Alpine head unit provided by KM, there is an option to add front camera, or sides camera inside the menu. However KM only provides me with a rear camera. You can download the manual here https://www.alpine-asia.com/en/productDetail/130/iLX-F511E. For now I can live without the 360 cam, it is good to have but not absolute necessary, because for safety nothing beat seeing with your own eye.

[Freeder]

 

On 3/5/2026 at 11:48 PM, JamesChua1121 said:

Hi, need a 7 seater and am seriously considering between Stepwagon, Alphard, Carnival. Your review is really timely n helpful! Only visually saw Stepwagon but I felt it was well built, practical and value buy. Would like to ask, have tried the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow (LSF), is it smooth? Also would you consider PI as I saw some PI units have 360 camera. Thanks!

Hi James, u can try Nissan new SERENA... Interior nice ..not bad ... Ext. so so but got the option back windscreen opening.. good idea..

https://www.sgcarmart.com/new-cars/info/21838/nissan-serena-e-power-hybrid

Edited March 6 by Freeder

[Mt88]

During my shopping time, I was also considering Carnival and Santa Fe, but they are not tall enough and too long so waste of space. Carnival back seat is heavy to store unlike stepwgn. Santa-fe bright interior is a nightmare to maintain. Their price is also high and the efficiency not as good as SW

Other than Noah, I also consider Alphard. I driven one before. The effective utility space is lower although body is bigger and longer. Though is tall, the front lower lips often scraps the side roads, shessh.. And what I don't like driving Alphard is the floating feeling, bulky and hassle dealing with some carparks. I told my family that driving it feel like being a chauffer, yet you pay so much more for being a chauffer. I still enjoys being at the wheel, so Alphard is not for me.

Considering Xpeng X9, also, as my friend bought one. When I saw him fumbling to fold the last row seat when a passenger is still inside, which he need to adjust the second row seat forward before the auto fold seat button can work, it shows that even though it has most of the features but they are not well executed. I am not convinced with its overall quality and dependability yet. Saw Denza D9 and Zeeker 009 as well, but most of the EV high interior floor due to battery meaning the space and utilities are also not as good as the SW and it is tough for elderly or small kids to climb up. An like any other lux models, the second row seat is actually more difficult to slide in due to bulky fixed armrest. They are bulky and difficult to park. Price is all over the roof, I can save some good money by going for SW instead.

Edited March 6 by Mt88

[Daniu82]

On 3/6/2026 at 2:02 PM, Freeder said:

 

Hi James, u can try Nissan new SERENA... Interior nice ..not bad ... Ext. so so but got the option back windscreen opening.. good idea..

https://www.sgcarmart.com/new-cars/info/21838/nissan-serena-e-power-hybrid

Serena and Stepwagon are the 2 cars I will consider if I ever need a 7 seater MPV. Might need 1 in the future as 1 infant car seat and 1 booster seat behind make my rear bench very cramped to accommodate another full size adult. 

[JamesChua1121]

@Mt88 Glad to hear the ACC & LSF are smooth. Also considered odyssey but odyssey does not have these functions thus felt it is a little dated in comparison to SW. But what I like about these two models is there are no bulky armrests as you said.. easier to put babychair in and out! I haven’t tried putting a babychair into Alphard but due to the bulky armrests I imagine it will be tricky. If I go for KM, will add the additional cams suggested! Thanks so much again for the generous feedback.

[Mt88]

This Video in Japanese (in youtube go to setting, choose audio language English) explains the ACC with Traffic Jam Following and the advantage. BTW the SW wiper wipes almost the entire glass show a very good perfection. Voxy and noah wipe ok, no complain there. But serena wipe is a joke, to me serena is an old base loaded with enhanced cosmetics. 

[Mt88]

Article from ST: Box-ing match: How the Toyota Noah and Honda Step Wgn – two boxy MPVs – stack up against each other. https://www.straitstimes.com/life/motoring/box-ing-match-how-the-toyota-noah-and-honda-step-wgn-two-boxy-mpvs-stack-up-against-each-other?ref=search-results

 

Third updates for Honda Stepwgn Spada. From the last pump to the brim, my fuel indicator is about above half around 60% full and my trip A is 459km. The estimation distance indicated before empty is another 512km? (normally for Voxy, after 460km the fuel indicator is around 40% and after that drop fast) So maybe it is possible for SW to stretch to 900-1000km per tank? Is the petrol tank bigger than 52L?

The average fuel consumption at trip A in the indicator shows 16.5 km/l with my normal driving pattern before resetting to 0 again. Trip B shows 759km with an average of fuel consumption from the delivery date till today is 14.8km/l. 

I pumped full to the brim earlier today at the same regular station. My petrol receipt showed that I pumped 27.767Ltr. it means 459km/27.767L=16.53km/L. So the actual fuel consumption of my Stepwgn Spada is 16.5km/l  exactly the same what is indicated in the indicator. I am amazed. I cannot believe how accurate Honda indicator is to compare with my last Voxy which gives error of 10-15% less in actual vs higher at the indicator, shessh.. So my usage pattern there is no or negligible difference between actual Honda StepWgn Spada 2.0L HEV fuel efficiency compare to my last Toyota Voxy/Noah Hybrid 1.8L Hybrid which is around 16.5km/l for both cars. Toyota Hybrid is clearly inferior.

But the sampling of only 1 fuel pump is not enough to tell the accuracy of Honda Stepwgn indicator, but it is a good start. I have no regret buying it, considering how much the Toyota Hybrid 1.8L engine lack of power + noisy to compare with a smooth powerful 2.0L Honda HEV. What I regret was not changing the toyota to honda bread-van sooner.

But after the break in period, maybe I will use more petrol because cannot "tahan" not to indulge "once a while" with Honda HEV 🤭

 

[Lala81]

On 3/9/2026 at 5:05 PM, Mt88 said:

Article from ST: Box-ing match: How the Toyota Noah and Honda Step Wgn – two boxy MPVs – stack up against each other. https://www.straitstimes.com/life/motoring/box-ing-match-how-the-toyota-noah-and-honda-step-wgn-two-boxy-mpvs-stack-up-against-each-other?ref=search-results

 

Third updates for Honda Stepwgn Spada. From the last pump to the brim, my fuel indicator is about above half around 60% full and my trip A is 459km. The estimation distance indicated before empty is another 512km? (normally for Voxy, after 460km the fuel indicator is around 40% and after that drop fast) So maybe it is possible for SW to stretch to 900-1000km per tank? Is the petrol tank bigger than 52L?

The average fuel consumption at trip A in the indicator shows 16.5 km/l with my normal driving pattern before resetting to 0 again. Trip B shows 759km with an average of fuel consumption from the delivery date till today is 14.8km/l. 

I pumped full to the brim earlier today at the same regular station. My petrol receipt showed that I pumped 27.767Ltr. it means 459km/27.767L=16.53km/L. So the actual fuel consumption of my Stepwgn Spada is 16.5km/l  exactly the same what is indicated in the indicator. I am amazed. I cannot believe how accurate Honda indicator is to compare with my last Voxy which gives error of 10-15% less in actual vs higher at the indicator, shessh.. So my usage pattern there is no or negligible difference between actual Honda StepWgn Spada 2.0L HEV fuel efficiency compare to my last Toyota Voxy/Noah Hybrid 1.8L Hybrid which is around 16.5km/l for both cars. Toyota Hybrid is clearly inferior.

But the sampling of only 1 fuel pump is not enough to tell the accuracy of Honda Stepwgn indicator, but it is a good start. I have no regret buying it, considering how much the Toyota Hybrid 1.8L engine lack of power + noisy to compare with a smooth powerful 2.0L Honda HEV. What I regret was not changing the toyota to honda bread-van sooner.

But after the break in period, maybe I will use more petrol because cannot "tahan" not to indulge "once a while" with Honda HEV 🤭

 

The spada rp8 ehev version only really reached our shores in 2024 bah. What's there to regret. 

The only regret is that this type of more pleasurable hybrid vehicle didn't reach us few years before full BEVs now dominating the market. 

 

Edited March 9 by Lala81

[Mt88]

This video to show most of the safety and sensing functions of the Stepwgn Spada Hybrid. On Youtube, change the audio track to English to auto translate

 

Comparison riding Stepwgn to Serena. 

 

Driving comparison between Noah Hybrid, Stepwgn Hybrid and Serena e-Power, start at minutes 21:11

 

Fourth Update: After last refuelling, the average fuel consumption is at 17.4km/l at trip A and Trip B increase to 14.9km/l. The estimate distance seems correct, another 772km before the tank is empty or around 850km per tank with my regular driving habit.

What I notice from Honda compare to other manufactures that Honda tends to be more honest and dependable when comes to its car. It is like under promise, over deliver. The other two makers are often over promise, under deliver.

 

 

 

[Mt88]

Honda Stepwgn 5th update from user actual perspective.

Earlier today got a bit of time, so went to queue for petrol. The queue was a bit longer than last time due to so much publication for this hidden gem🤭 The price of RON 95 for member is now $2.48/l in oppose $2.15/l 10 days ago. They don't have RON 92 which is actually enough (Honda HEV min requirement is RON 91) as the engine is working very light due to EV assistance. Anyway their RON 95 is cheaper than the rest of the market, so why not.

My tip A indicator showed that I have travelled 435.7km since the last refuelling 10 days ago. My receipt showed that i pumped 26.245Litres of RON95. Meaning my ACTUAL  average fuel consumption is 16.6km/l. The indicator showed that it was 16.9km/l which is less 1.75% difference. It is really acceptable. Compare to my last Toyota Voxy/Noah 1.8L Hybrid, factory claim crazy 21km/l. The indicator average fuel was 18.9km.l for Toyota, BUT THE ACTUAL figure with manual calculation is only around 16km/l. I recorded Voxy actual fuel consumption, showed: 15.7km/l; 16.05km/l; 17km/l (best personal achievement); 16.21km/l; 16.08km/l. So what I can say Toyota claim 21km/l but actual for me is 16km/l. The worst part is that toyota deceived me and all their customers by claiming high achieving low. Margin of error between actual vs factory claim is a whopping 23% or vs indicator is 15.34% shessh... Well maybe if you can "tahan" hypermiling , no AC and very light on pedal, running empty, always on the freeway without traffic, then maybe can. But that is simply unachievable in daily practical life. Anyway, who paid so much for a car and want to do so?

To get 16.6-17km/l for Stepwgn is effortless (for me, may not applicable for others). I am not sacrificing anything. AC on all the time, just drive as per normal, sometime with few fiends and family on board. Queuing for petrol is a very relaxing affair, as i don't need to keep pressing my leg against brake or need to meddle with manual brake hold. Honda system is smooth and automatic, making life much easier.

After refuelling, drove back home from Queensway, lighter traffic, no traffic jam. Without even trying, drove per normal this Stepwgn, it achieved more than what factory claimed. Talking about under promise over deliver, only for Honda! The indicator showed average fuel consumption is 21.5km/l, waaa... Honda claimed only 19.8km/l.

I don't think I can get what factory claimed, because my trip normally with few people on board, AC on, occasionally crawling in the traffic, and I want to enjoy what i drive and not to hypermiles.

My trip B travelled total of 1215km which is from the factory to KM to delivery of the car (the average was 11km/l) now up to 15.5km/l.

Went out with a friend who bought BYD M6 recently. I was surprised he got a loaned car. He told me his M6 was in the workshop already 3x since delivery, tried to solve a problem with a noisy brake. It was fully functional but noisy, BYD promise to replace new parts and gave a loan car.

Almost bought Sealion 7, but now I don't think I want EV. Road tax is more, reliability is still question mark, electricity cost is catching up, the hassle of charging it and later need to move to park the car, and the worst part of getting EV (to me)are buttonless (well maybe few buttons), the fact most of the adjustment move to the screen instead of buttons. The danger is the same as meddling your handphone while driving, more dangerous. To some buttonless looks cool, to me it is simply bad taste and dangerous. Generation gap...🤭

Have a great weekend everyone. Drive safe!

[13177]

On 3/21/2026 at 4:56 PM, Mt88 said:

Went out with a friend who bought BYD M6 recently. I was surprised he got a loaned car. He told me his M6 was in the workshop already 3x since delivery, tried to solve a problem with a noisy brake. It was fully functional but noisy, BYD promise to replace new parts and gave a loan car.

 

 

Almost bought Sealion 7, but now I don't think I want EV. Road tax is more, reliability is still question mark, electricity cost is catching up, the hassle of charging it and later need to move to park the car, and the worst part of getting EV (to me)are buttonless (well maybe few buttons), the fact most of the adjustment move to the screen instead of buttons. The danger is the same as meddling your handphone while driving, more dangerous. To some buttonless looks cool, to me it is simply bad taste and dangerous. Generation gap...🤭

Have a great weekend everyone. Drive safe!

First time hear EV got problem and it comes from BYD, the best selling EV brand?! 😅

[Evo5sg]

Anyone encountered Noah r90 drive shaft issue?

[Mt88]

6th Update Honda Stepwgn Spada 2L HEV from KM

Overall no significant changes for Honda Stepwgn Hybrid Fuel Consumption for urban driving combined around 850km pertank, or $15ct per km (even with all time high petrol price at cnergy petrol $2.55/l). Not very much different with a comparable EV $13-14ct per km that need charge with a fast DC charge (assuming non landed house without own AC charger). Added with lower road tax, lower insurance, lower loss of power (due to degrading battery capacity for full EV), lower depreciation, in long run running cost can be the similar or even lower than comparable EV. This is why China in 2026 is focusing to HEV again in addition to EV and PHEV.

The actual real life FC is around 16km/l or around 6.25L/100, is more or less the same for the inferior low powered 1.8L Toyota Noah/Voxy hybrid under the same load condition. Honda 2L HEV is a clear winner when it comes to smoothness and higher power delivery which contribute to a much satisfactory overall driving experience with a similar FC to its rivals. The advantage of SW is the enormous interior space, best utilities, Japanese reliability, comfortable, powerful and smooth HEV, not available from rival China EV manufactures just yet.

The high "paper tiger" FC spec is only achievable when the car at the most efficient thermal operation, very little load (nothing inside the car), no passenger, no wind, no resistance, no stop and go, which are not applicable to real life usage. Once there are passengers, there are loads and resistance, then this crazy high unrealistic claim by the manufacture become unattainable. The high FC claim is deliberate to mislead consumers. Buyers  beware. Based on my experience with my past 1.8L Hybrid Toyota Voxy,  I conclude that Toyota has a very high error of margin when it comes to actual fuel consumption vs factory claim.

Interesting news for HEV development was posted by https://36kr.com/p/3756934174896902

According to the article, China Changan, Geely, Chery have develop a real replacement for the "obsolete" Toyota hybrid system (THS). Their engine is not following the "inferior toyota hybrid system" but develop using Honda HEV system with 2 electric motor and gears to replace the rubbery CVT in toyota system. The high compression, high efficient direct fuel injection engine can achieve much higher FC around 30-40km/l. But the real challenge, acknowledge by the experts, is the unknown reliability and longevity. I suspect the high FC paper result is also based on very light load, no resistance, testing method used by most car manufactures.

According to Nikkei report, during the China car factory tour, Honda CEO has admitted the fast, efficient and the enormously fund channelled for R&D are real threat to Honda. That is why Honda asked their engineer go back to drawing table to develop something better with the efficiency and reliability of Japanese manufacturing. I guess Honda and all the Japanese car manufactures will have a very tough competition in the near future.

[Kensh09]

I am considering Nissan Serena and Honda Stepwagen when my coe runs out in the near future. Currently prefer Serena for the following reasons:

1. More modern dashboard design
2. Dual tailgate (this is a big plus point as my current mpv I always need to park further from the wall to retrieve items) 
3. All windows are auto unlike Stepwagen which only driver side is auto
4. 360 cam
5. Intelligent Rear View Mirror
6. Cheaper than Stepwagen
7. Cheaper road tax

What I like about the Stepwagen

1. External boxy look and straight lines design 
2. Electric tailgate.
3. Full hidden 3rd row seats
4. Buttons at passenger to open sliding doors

Anyone care to share your thoughts or experience? Thank you.