The Honda S-MX is a compact MPV produced by Honda and sold between 1996 and 2002. It was based on the S-MX Concept shown at the 31st Tokyo Motor Show in 1995 and resembled a substantially shortened and lowered Honda Stepwgn.
Honda S-MX at a glance
| Maker | Honda |
|---|---|
| Production | 1996–2002 |
| On sale | 22 November 1996 |
| Market | Japan |
| Class | compact MPV |
| Seats | four or five |
| Engine | 1,972 cc B-series DOHC four |
| Power | 130 PS at 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 183 Nm at 4,200 rpm |
| Transmission | four-speed automatic with column shifter |
| Drive | front-wheel drive, four-wheel drive optional |
| Facelift | September 1999, 140 PS |
| Rear doors | one, on the passenger side |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the S-MX.
History of the Honda S-MX
A smaller Stepwgn
The S-MX was based on the S-MX Concept first exhibited at the 31st Tokyo Motor Show in 1995 and was similar in appearance to the larger Stepwgn, shortened substantially in length and height. Where the Stepwgn had three rows of seating for eight passengers, the smaller S-MX had two rows for four or five. To maximise passenger space it used a front bench seat and a column shifter for the four-speed automatic transmission, the only gearbox offered.
Engine and drive
The S-MX was powered by a 1,972 cc version of Honda’s B-series engine with double overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder, without VTEC. Peak output was 130 PS at 5,500 rpm and peak torque 183 Nm at 4,200 rpm. The engine was shared with the CR-V and Stepwgn, and like them the S-MX was available with front-wheel drive or optional four-wheel drive. As part of a September 1999 facelift the engine was upgraded to 140 PS and 186 Nm at the same engine speeds.
One rear door
As was customary for minivans of the time, the S-MX had only one conventional rear door, on the passenger side, ostensibly for passenger safety so that people did not step out into traffic. Chassis codes start with RH1 for the base and Lowdown models and RH2 for four-wheel-drive cars. The S-MX went on sale on 22 November 1996 as the fourth product of Honda’s Creative Mover series, cars intended to expand their owners’ lifestyles.
Design and features
- Short and low: a two-row MPV below the Stepwgn.
- Front bench and column shifter: packaging for maximum space.
- 2.0-litre B-series engine: shared with the CR-V and Stepwgn.
- Single rear door: a safety-driven minivan convention.
Honda S-MX versions
- Base: front-wheel drive, chassis code RH1.
- Lowdown: the named trim, also RH1.
- Four-wheel drive: chassis code RH2.
- 1999 facelift: 140 PS engine.
The S-MX is the smaller relative of the Honda Stepwgn and shares its engine with the CR-V. More Hondas are in the Honda collection.
Sources
- Honda S-MX, English Wikipedia: design, engine, trims, doors
