Filed under: Car Buying, Minivans/MPVs, Japan, Honda
Sources Say: Honda Stream coming to U.S. in 2009
by John Neff on Aug 29th 2007 at 2:56PM 
Winding Road is reporting that the next-generation Honda Stream mini-MPV may be sold in the U.S. Having just been redesigned last year, the next Stream won't arrive until 2009, and even then we doubt it will receive anything more than a refreshening. Nevertheless, Honda appears intent to make some money off of this MPV that's based on the same platform as the Civic and CR-V. It's reportedly been a big hit in Japan since it debuted in 2000, though the recent redesign has met with mixed reviews. Though the JDM version can seat up to seven or eight people, Winding Road reports the U.S. version will probably get only two rows of seats. In Japan, the Stream is available with either a R18A 1.8L i-VTEC engine and five-speed auto or an R20A 2.0L i-VTEC engine mated to a CVT transmission. Whether those engines will be offered in the U.S. in unknown, though we would expect at least the larger of the two motors to make the journey to our shores.
Considering Honda's success with the Odyssey in the minivan segment, the Stream may do very well in the U.S. It appears smaller than a minivan, but larger than, say, a Mazda5. The current trend of segment-bending tall wagons and CUVs could carry the Stream right along.
[Source: Winding Road]
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Anon 3:01PM (8/29/2007)
ive spotted the stream outside of honda's torrance hq.
Reply
Chris Tutor 3:04PM (8/29/2007)
Oh joy! The Stream is a welcome addition to Honda's U.S. lineup and should not only give the Mazda5 some competition but maybe even bring some attention to that segment.
Reply
Don 5:16PM (8/29/2007)
They'll have to stick the 2.4L in that thing, though...1.8L and 2.0L aren't going to cut it against the Mazda5's 2.3L and the Rondo's 2.7L V6.
Jay MIller 3:11PM (8/29/2007)
Maybe they could just put the Stream nose and rear windows on the CR-V.
Reply
iamhoff 3:40PM (8/29/2007)
Amen! The CRV's nose is hideous, and my fear is that thru the spy pics the 2009 Pilot will use a version of it.
rwcmick 3:12PM (8/29/2007)
back in april a stream was spotted in santa monica. you can check it out here
http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=674495
Reply
KC 3:13PM (8/29/2007)
I'd take that over a Mazda 5 or a Matrix/Vibe any day!
Heck, Id take it over the new NA market Accords which really do absolutely nothing for me in terms of styling.
This one at least looks up scale Civic and since the new Civic is a better overall looking design if you as me then the new Accord (At least the Civic looks like they had one design theme and followed it through) I would bet the Stream would do very well in its segment in NA.
They should bring it out in Spring '08 as an early '09 model because really there's no point in waiting until '09 to launch it.
Reply
sfast 3:24PM (8/29/2007)
It is bigger then the Mazda5 but seats less people?
What is the point?
Reply
Willie Abrams 3:27PM (8/29/2007)
The Stream needs 3 rows in the US. Honda, are you listening?
Reply
Tired 3:36PM (8/29/2007)
Ditto.
Bring it with 3 rows and it will replace the Mazda5 from the top of my shopping list.
apearlman 4:21PM (8/29/2007)
I will beg for 3 rows. If this is a bit bigger than Mazda5 (as the original post states), then it's just what I'm looking for.
Is it too much to ask for mileage better than the Mazda5 as well? 21/26mpg from a 153-hp 4 cylinder isn't so great. Anything over 30 on the highway would be fine.
Tim UF 5:10PM (8/29/2007)
Have you ever sat in the 3rd row of a mazda5?
I'm short (5'6) and there was not enough room for me back there.
I'll skip the third row and take the cargo volume instead, thanks
apearlman 10:12PM (8/29/2007)
Yes, I did sit back there... briefly (I'm 6 feet tall) -- and agree with your assessment that the car is just too small for 3 comfortable rows.
The third row in cars this size is strictly for children and their friends, and occasionally for my in-laws. I wouldn't want to subject anyone else to sitting back there.
-Andrew
John P. 3:35PM (8/29/2007)
hmmmmmm, you know something. I LIKE THIS A LOT!!!!
It would be a worthy replacement for my aging Focus Wagon, which I love by the way for it's looks, driving dynamics, utility and fuel economy.
There may finally be a Honda in my future. Not sure, there's alot of alternatives, but this one is actually kinda nice.
Reply
MikeW 3:46PM (8/29/2007)
Honda will need to have the 2.4 in it.
Reply
John Metcalf 10:25PM (8/30/2008)
No, let's have a fuel efficient wagon available. If I wanted something that gets mid/upper-20s hwy, I've got lots of choices.
I want something that can replace my aging Corolla Wagon - 32mpg hwy. If I wanted a bigger engine and lower fuel economy, I'd be driving a CRV or Element or Mazda 6 or RAV4 by now.
Owen 3:58PM (8/29/2007)
The lack of the extra row of seats could really be a deal breaker. The only vehicles now that offer extra rows of seating are the Mazda5, RAV4, Outlander and of course the Minivans. but this could provide a real minivan alternative, one that's not a mini-SUV.
Reply
Owen 3:59PM (8/29/2007)
Sorry, I forgot to mention the SUV's that have extra rows of seating, but I would never really look at those anyway.
djSyndrome 4:37PM (8/29/2007)
The Kia Rondo says 'hi'.
Doogs 3:59PM (8/29/2007)
Great. I guess this just about kills any chance of us getting that sweet Euro-spec Civic 5-door.
Reply