Comparison: Toyota Voxy vs. Nissan Serena vs. Honda Stepwgn
When it comes to family-oriented MPVs, three names often come up: the Toyota Voxy, Nissan Serena, and Honda Stepwgn. These vehicles combine practicality, comfort, and a touch of style for families who need space without compromising on performance or features. In this comparison, we’ll break down the key aspects of each vehicle, including design, interior features, performance, and safety, to help you decide which one suits your needs best.
Here are the 4 things to note:
1. Design and Exterior
Nissan Serena: The Nissan Serena features a more rounded and family-friendly design. The front fascia is softened with a smooth grille and large, expressive headlights, giving it a welcoming vibe. The design overall exudes a sense of practicality, with an emphasis on easy access and convenience.
Honda Stepwgn: Honda’s Stepwgn balances boxy and sleek styling. Its futuristic design, with sharp edges and distinct lines, stands out among the crowd. The Stepwgn offers a unique “hidden” sliding door handle that adds to its clean aesthetics and user-friendly design.
Toyota Voxy: The Voxy showcases a more bold and modern design compared to its competitors. Its angular front grille and sleek headlights give it a more dynamic appearance, while the compact yet spacious build makes it easy to maneuver in urban environments. The Voxy is perfect for those who prefer a slightly sporty look in a family vehicle.
2. Interior and Comfort
Nissan Serena: The Serena is known for its spacious interior with a flexible seating arrangement that can accommodate 7 or 8 passengers. It features a well-thought-out cabin with user-centric design. The car comes equipped with innovative features like the “smart rear sliding doors” for easy access in tight parking spaces. Comfortable seating and large windows make the Serena feel airy and open.
Honda Stepwgn: The Honda Stepwgn is packed with clever design solutions, offering exceptional space and comfort. Its seats are designed for easy reconfiguration, offering a variety of seating arrangements to suit different needs. The cabin is quiet, with noise insulation designed for smooth, comfortable rides. In addition, the Stepwgn offers plenty of legroom and a generous cabin height, making it one of the roomiest options.
Toyota Voxy: Inside, the Toyota Voxy is a spacious 7-8 seater MPV with premium materials. The dashboard is simple but elegant, with an intuitive infotainment system and user-friendly controls. The seats are comfortable, and the middle-row captain’s chairs (in the higher trims) add a luxurious touch. There’s ample legroom and headspace for adults, making long journeys comfortable.
3. Performance and Handling
Nissan Serena: The Serena runs on a 1.4-litre ePower engine, pushing out 161bhp and 315Nm of torque with a fuel consumption of 19.3km/L. The Serena’s ProPILOT Assist (semi-autonomous driving system) gives the car a slight edge in technology, offering a smooth and safe driving experience. The Serena’s engine is used to charge the battery. Hence, the battery powers the wheels, providing a different kind of driving excitement, more like that of an electric vehicle.
Honda Stepwgn: Powered by a 2.0-litre e:HEV engine, pushing out 181bhp and 315NM of torque with a respectable 19.6km/L fuel consumption. Its engine feels responsive, and the E-CVT provides smooth power delivery. The Stepwgn’s front-wheel-drive configuration makes it stable on the road, while its suspension system provides a comfortable ride even on rougher surfaces. It’s sporty enough for everyday driving but still very practical for family use.
Toyota Voxy: The Voxy is equipped with a 1.8-litre hybrid engine, pushing out 98bhp and 142Nm of torque. The numbers seemed overwhelming but it definitely felt more powerful than what was claimed. Also it has the best fuel economy of 23km/L. E-CVT automatic transmission ensures a smooth driving experience, while the front-wheel-drive system delivers good handling in urban and highway settings. It’s not the sportiest of the three but strikes a good balance between practicality and performance.
4. Safety Features
Nissan Serena: The Serena comes with Nissan’s suite of safety features, including ProPILOT Assist, which offers semi-autonomous driving features, a 360-degree camera system, and automatic emergency braking. The Serena also offers excellent crash-test ratings, ensuring peace of mind for passengers.
Honda Stepwgn: Honda places a strong emphasis on safety, equipping the Stepwgn with a comprehensive safety suite. This includes Honda Sensing, which incorporates adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, collision mitigation braking, and traffic sign recognition. The Stepwgn also has a solid structure, providing good crash protection.
Toyota Voxy: The Toyota Voxy comes with Toyota Safety Sense, which includes a pre-collision system, lane departure alert, and automatic high beams. It also has multiple airbags, stability control, and a rearview camera. The Voxy excels in providing a high level of safety, making it a great option for families.
5. Pricing
All 3 MPVs are priced similarly, with the Toyota Voxy being slightly more expensive at $204,588, followed by the Honda Stepwgn at $203,088, and lastly, the Nissan Serena, which is priced just within the $200k mark at $199,788. (Pricing as of 4/3/2025. Subjected to changes after every COE bidding)
Nissan Serena: The Nissan Serena is typically more affordable than the Voxy and Stepwgn, with a competitive price point for the features it offers. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for value without compromising too much on features.
Honda Stepwgn: The Stepwgn sits right in the middle. However, it justifies the price with a wealth of features, spaciousness, and solid build quality.
Toyota Voxy: The Voxy generally occupies the highest price point in the MPV range. However, Toyota’s extensive experience with hybrid technology and its commitment to reliability justify the premium pricing.
Verdict
- Choose the Nissan Serena if you want a budget-friendly option with solid tech features and ample interior space. Its safety features and flexible seating make it a great choice for larger families who need a comfortable, reliable ride.
- Choose the Honda Stepwgn if you’re looking for a spacious, tech-rich MPV with advanced safety features and a sporty edge. It’s a great option for families who want something practical yet fun to drive, with excellent interior versatility.
- Choose the Toyota Voxy if you prioritise a bold design, premium features, and reliable performance. It strikes a good balance between practicality and style, making it an excellent choice for families seeking a refined driving experience.
No matter which MPV you choose, each offers its own set of advantages, so consider your priorities—whether it’s technology, safety, design, or comfort—to make the right decision for your family.
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