New Honda Stream Unveiled Today
Honda Stream to Flow Out From Honda Showrooms
Barely two months after the launch of the Honda Jazz came the Odyssey, and today, Honda Malaysia unveiled the new Honda Stream. The Stream slots smack in the middle of the 1.5 litre Jazz and the 2.4 litre Odyssey, completing the range of MPVs available from Honda Malaysia.
Honda buyers are now spoilt for choice; from the entry level City, to the Civic, to the Accord, to the Odyssey, and now, the Honda Stream. There is also talk, (up to now unconfirmed), about the Honda Life, the Honda equivalent to the Kancil. Honda Malaysia is clearly all out to tap every niche there is to become the number one in the passenger car market.
The range offers the buyer a model that will suit his or her every requirement in a passenger car or MPV, and prices range from RM70+ thousand for the City to a little over a quarter of a million ringgit for the Odyssey.
The Honda Stream is targeted at the buyer who wants a two-litre vehicle, but requires that little extra space. With three rows of seats that split and fold in countless combinations, the Honda Stream offers great flexibility and versatility to the user.
Two variants are offered; both come with identical DOHC (Double Overhead Camshaft) 2.0 litre engines with I-VTEC (intelligent variable valve timing and lift electronic control), but with different trim levels. The standard model is called the 2.0 I-VTEC iV, while the higher-grade model is called the 2.0 I-VTEC iVS.
The high-grade iVS model is distinguishable from the standard iV model from its leather upholstery, leather steering wheel, leather shift knob, front fog lights, and side skirts.
Inside, the contoured seats are comfortable, and there is plenty of legroom for all passengers in the front two rows. The third row of seats can accommodate two adults, but legroom is a little restrictive. They fold away to give a flat stowage area for luggage and stuff. Living space is good, with the all-important cup-holders in place, plenty of storage pockets and little nooks for knick-knacks.
The Honda Stream comes with a 5-speed automatic gearbox with a manual shift option. Interestingly enough, the gearshift lever is on the dash panel instead of on the floor, freeing up the space in between the driver and passenger seat to fit a foldaway cup-holder cum oddment tray.
Dual SRS airbags are fitted for driver and front passenger, while other safety features include 3-point ELR seatbelts with load limiters and pretensioners. ABS (Antilock Braking System) is standard equipment, as is EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution). In line with the current crop of Honda vehicles, the body is constructed with Honda’s G-Force Control Technology that allows the vehicle to ‘crumple’ progressively to cushion the force of an impact while maintaining the integrity of the passenger cabin.
Creature comforts include a dual blower air conditioner and a Double Din CD Receiver that is MP3 Compatible.
The Honda Stream 2.0 iV model is priced at RM155, 800.00 on the road, while the iVS model is priced at RM161, 800. Both models come with a 3-year warranty and 2 years free maintenance package.
