Filed under: Minivans/MPVs, Japan, Honda
2007 Honda Stream debuts in Japan
Our sister site, Autoblog Spanish, recently posted on the debut of the 2007 Honda Stream, a model sold in Europe and Asia that could best be described as a four-door, three-row minvan. The new Stream's design seems to borrow heavily from Honda's current design language, which places a large brand badge front and center in a wide grille that's flanked by sharply shaped headlights. The back of the Stream resembles a CRV with taillights that run up the rear all the way to the roof. The seven-seater with a fold-flat third row reminds us of what the Odyssey might have been had Honda not turned it into a traditional minivan here in North America. Traction control and an automatic transmission appear to be standard on the base model, while a six-speed is likely for the sportier RSZ. We're still a bit unclear as to what engine will be available, but from what we can gather there'll be two, one of which will be a 1.8L i-VTEC.
There's also rumors floating around that forces within Honda North America want to see the Stream on sale in the States.
More pics of the '07 Stream after the jump...
[Source: Autoblog Spanish]
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
John McPherson 7:05AM (6/19/2006)
I smell cross-over labeling in the US. Add 4WD (any of the Honda systems will do) and raise it up a couple of inches and you have the Field and Stream!!!
Reply
Galley 7:29AM (6/19/2006)
Nice! Why don't they sell those in the U.S.?
Reply
Sid 7:37AM (6/19/2006)
Looks like a mix of the Mazda6 Wagon and the Volvo XC90. Not bad at all.
Reply
Chris 7:54AM (6/19/2006)
A lot more attractive than the current Stream which has a pinched-looking rear end. I hope Honda brings it to the U.S. and has success, then maybe Toyota will bring the class-leading Wish.
Reply
mickster 8:14AM (6/19/2006)
Looks like a Mercedes-but good looking!
Bring one with a Hybrid and one with a super sports package and powerful V-6 and put us down for both!
Reply
Richard Warren 8:28AM (6/19/2006)
Not bad, not bad at all.
Reply
tommcg 8:29AM (6/19/2006)
(regarding the silver pics)
it's the rdx's mom!
Reply
CoffeeJedi 9:16AM (6/19/2006)
That looks great!
The Mazda5 and Chevy SSR are really the only members of this segment in the states, and they don't really compete with each other. I'd like to see this here.
Reply
DJ 9:16AM (6/19/2006)
The one product niche that Honda doesn't have an offering in is the so-called "crossover" market. This would fit perfectly.
Reply
Mike Homeniuk 9:17AM (6/19/2006)
It'd be a great competitor for the Mazda5....please give us more of these types of vehicles in North America....seating for more than 5 when needed in a compact, fun-to-drive, fuel-efficient package.
Reply
Tim UF 10:01AM (6/19/2006)
where is this size wise? mazda5 or bigger more like a mazda6 wagon?
Reply
Milos 10:05AM (6/19/2006)
overall this is a nice looking car, but i would loose that chrome, horizontal, bar in the gril and try something else cause same bar can be found on many gm brands ( in fact one cause they are all in fact rebadged Opels)
Reply
Casey 10:32AM (6/19/2006)
PLEASE bring this to the US! Not every family wants, needs, or can afford a $30+ megavan like the Japanese currenty offer.
Reply
aliasfox 10:35AM (6/19/2006)
Ten years ago, Honda sold a compact vehicle with four doors and seating for seven. It was called the Odyssey. I bet it wasn't much of a success, considering subsequent versions of said car grew taller, longer, and fatter, culminating in the porpoise-on-wheels look we have today (for most minivans, especially Japanese ones).
For Honda's sake (and the sake of my eyes), I hope this is a success if it's brought over.
Reply
MikeW 10:36AM (6/19/2006)
This would expose the drastic undercontenting in honda's lineup.
It took until 2007 for the element to get a 5 speed automatic, the civic doesn't have traction control, let alone stability assist.
Honda wouldn't put the J30A4 (honda accord 3.0) they would put a version of the turbo 2.3, for the US market.
Reply
Michael Karesh 11:43AM (6/19/2006)
From this bit of info, the Stream appears considerably more attractive than the Mazda5, at least to me:
1. Sleeker styling
2. Conventional doors probably less practical, but avoid minivan character
3. seven-passenger option; Mazda only offers 6-pass in the U.S.
4. Less van-like driving position? No little windows ahead of doors.
If this were available with a decent engine and manual transmission, I'd likely buy one.
My site's page for the Mazda5, with links to my review and common price comparisons:
http://www.truedelta.com/models/Mazda5.php
The Chevy HHR, with only two rows, isn't really a competitor.
Reply
CoffeeJedi 11:54AM (6/19/2006)
d'oh! yes, i meant HHR, not SSR
sorry, it was Monday morning before my first cup
i guess i grabbed the HHR because its bigger than a Mazda3 or PT Cruiser, but still pretty small, i didn't think about the number of seating rows though, that's a very good point
Reply
Wade 11:55AM (6/19/2006)
This is the car I've been looking for! My VW Passat wagon is unreliable and I can't find a comparable model in the current market that I would buy. I like the size of the Passat, but I'd go a little smaller if I could get better gas mileage. Honda quality appeals to me as well.
Car magazines have been talking about a tall Civic wagon for years. This must be it. Honda would be stupid not to import this car.
I had a 1990 Civic wagon beater w/ 198,000 miles that I drove for a year or so then traded in on the '03 Passat wagon. I miss the beater and I'm just waiting for something expensive to break on the Passat.
Reply
quandmeme 12:02PM (6/19/2006)
Now this isn't a Matrix/Vibe, right? If this is between an Sienna and a Matrix this is what we will buy! Great to see in the US.
Reply
Brian 1:22PM (6/19/2006)
This thing looks hot! I want to replace my wifes 3-rox Explorer with something more efficient. I've been liking the Mazda5 but (style-wise) this blows it out of the water. This thing looks like it could run cones!
Reply