Test drive Honda Stream 2000 - 2003 Minivan

Leaving the mainstream

The minivans were invented by Italians. The Japanese launched into mass production. The Americans erected to the rank of cult. Over two decades, the minivan building has turned from an alternative direction into a real mainstream. Over time, related currents also appeared - compactives, microvenes and even seven -seater SUVs. And more recently, in the wake of universal hobby, city cars began to grow up. And then the Japanese surprise everyone (in which they are tanned) with their Honda Stream. What's this? Road to a dead end or a promising trend? It is even difficult to classify it - maybe like a compactive with a low roof? One thing is clear: it is not possible to take Stream seriously - as part of the seventh generation Civic family, he won the Japanese car of 2001.
 

Of course, Stream did not arise from scratch. Honda brand machines have always differed by a relatively low body height and low planting of the driver and passengers, which is not just a tribute to the image of the image, but also an effective way to lower the center of gravity, which means improving running qualities. Now this helped to enter a large salon into the dimensions of the standard station wagon, and at the same time promised a victory over competitors in controllability. It sounds damn tempting, so it was extremely interesting for us to know how close the theory is. In the Russian market, Stream is offered with the most powerful, two-liter, engine with a system for changing the phase distribution of the latest generation I-VTEC, which changes the opening time and the value of the valve lifting depending on the revolutions. The choice of transmission is standard - mechanical or automatic (+$ 1000). Cars with a 1.7-liter engine and all-wheel drive versions on official channels are not supplied to us.
 

In our hands was the most extreme option - with mechanics. By the way, the gearbox lever is here, as on the five -door Civic, located in a convenient place on the central console. Despite the fact that the joystick is connected to the box of the cables, there were no complaints of claims to the clarity of the transfers - the transmission control did not make impressions of the dynamics of the car. The latest engine inherited from the former Honda engines the love of high speeds that fans of the brand, and inimitable sound appreciated. But there are no typical VTEC to the top to the top. The new I -VTEC takes others: confident craving on the bottoms and excellent elasticity - even on time, the highest gear turned on will not embarrass Stream: the engine with laudable hard work will unwind again, generously forgive the driver for clumsiness.
 

Well, driving this car in corners is not only easier than any of the minivans we met - many cars do not reach its level. The bodies of the body are barely noticeable, the steering is characterized by accuracy, a very logical increase in reactive effort depending on the angle of rotation of the wheels. Nevertheless, there is no particular excitement because of the softness with which the car performs the driver’s commands. Such balanced handling is close in spirit to accelerated dynamics. Maybe it is for the better - for a car that is entrusted with seven lives! Healthy ambitions are present, but there is no ardor that provokes inappropriate exploits. It seems that from their extensive sports baggage, the Hondians took only what increases active safety.

 
The suspension is harsh, but this is also one of the family features: a passenger Honda, capable of delighting with smoothness, is a rarity. The car does not annoy the shaking on small irregularities, but it reacts regularly to potholes regularly. The design of the machine is striking - a spindle -shaped body with a red ribbon of lanterns, encircling the rear window, looks original and fresh. And what is done inside? We admit the interior of the car surpasses all expectations. And this is not at all about the skin, but about the literacy with which every span of space is used. It is simply amazing how, when creating such a compact machine, it was possible not to forget about any of the passengers! The second row of seats is regulated in length - if there is no one behind, then you can move back without a dawn of conscience and stretch your legs. The back sofa is very comfortable: it is soft, there are enough space over the heads here, there are individual containers and even deflectors of the ventilation system. True, both deflectors are located for some reason near the right passenger. If necessary, this sofa deftly folds into the floor of the trunk, as a result of which an absolutely flat platform is formed.
 

If you use the passenger capacity of the machine one hundred percent, you will have to look for a compromise. This compromise literally will not infringe on anyone's legs, the only thing - three people on the middle row will make an overly cramped company. As for the driver and his neighbor, they are already well arranged. At their disposal are the most convenient chairs and all the benefits - climate control, transparent hatch, electric package and four airbags. Machines that will allow you to dissect an air flow with such ease and ease, units. Yes, Stream was not without reason left the car mainstream.
 
 
 
 

 
 

Source: Wheel magazine [No. 55/2002]