1998 AWD Honda Stepwgn

Honda’s stateside product was a bit more bland than its domestic market, Japan. There is nothing wrong with an Odyssey minivan, but it certainly lacks the personality of this 1998 StepWgn. Finished in a lovely Frost White (NH-538), this three-row hauler is adorned with OEM 3 piece aero, factory rainguards, an optional sunroof deflector, and 15″ alloys. Aside from a few chips, cuffs, and dings the body is in good shape and this people mover is fresh off a recent service. Boasting a mere 56k verified and documented miles, this reliable and practical eight-seater is turn-key ready to rock. Ideal as a year-round shuttle with its surefooted 4WD, this unique and useful Japanese Classic turns plenty of heads and is affordable to boot.

The cabin feels a lot more open than your average minivan thanks to the tall roof height. Honda thought a lot about comfort and storage and its clearly evident. Two good sized glove boxes, integrated door panel storage, and flip-out cup holders are all up front. The cabin also feels more modern thanks to a USDM Boss headunit with integrated Bluetooth hands-free tech. Ergonomics and safety were also a priority and both front occupants benefit from dual SRS airbags. The driver slides into the cabin and can find the ideal driving position thanks to a tilt-adjustable steering column. Power windows, electric locks, and power-folding mirrors all operate in typical Honda fashion making daily use more enjoyable. A simple-to-use climate control system is integrated into the center stack. Cold A/C and piping hot heat are available upon request and can be mixed to create the ideal interior temperature. If you prefer more natural ventilation, a power front sunroof retracts and the side glass can be popped outward to vent. The rear one is fixed in place, but adds a ton of natural light to the cockpit making it more expansive feeling. The gray upholstery is in good shape and lacks any major rips, stains, or tears. The middle row can tumble forward to accommodate more cargo and the rearmost seats can be split apart and folded against the d-pillar. The liftgate opens high for loading purposes and this minivan can swallow tons of people and gear! The headliner is in good shape as are the door cards and the carpets have withstood the past 25 years without sustaining major abuse. Spacious, clean, and simple this cabin is one of our favorites. Even the plush OEM carpet mats are included with the purchase.

The B20B under the hood is a beloved engine and is known for its bulletproof nature, ease of service, and inexpensive running costs. Fresh off an oil and filter service, the four-banger cranks to life care of an American 12v battery. The 2.0L is linked to a stout automatic gearbox that funnels power to both axles. The gearbox shifts properly and this little runabout accelerates well enough to get up to highway speeds without breaking a sweat. The brakes slow it down quickly, too, as this minivan is fairly light. We did want to note that the ABS light pops on and off intermittently, which does little to take away from drivability. The power steering was just flushed and is light and easy to articulate. The suspension is compliant and new thrust arm bushings and differential bushings were installed before its state inspection. The aftermarket wheels are wrapped in nearly new DOT-approved all-season tires at all four corners. Freshly aligned this turn-key super sweet hauler won’t last long.