I’ve noticed there are two major groups of people that are very much into exercising, keeping trim and looking healthy. The first group is the late 20’s early 30’s gym going yuppies who are mostly single or probably on the verge of tying the knot, whereas the second group are the older generation which consist of people above the age of 50.  

The missing group here are the married people aged between 35 and 50. Once the good looking men and women with washboard abs and tight bottoms get married things begin to go downhill. It takes less than a year for the married couple to evolve from ‘slim and fit’ to ‘plump and fat’. They will get anxious about fitness again when they’re almost retiring or bogged down with illnesses.

Just like their looks and fitness level, usually the look of the vehicle that they own also takes a plunge. What choice do you have if you have a budget around RM150k and a family to ferry and shopping to carry? Most likely a not so good looking mid class MPV. People will just go for the functionality of these cars over its looks and performance.

Alright fret not; Honda has got the almost perfect mid-size SUV at a very reasonable price all without sacrificing good looks and respectable performance to boot.

The new Honda Stream RSZ dubbed as the 7-day coupe is certainly the best looking car it’s class. It is designed to look like a large grand touring car rather than a MPV. The front facia resembles the Honda Accord and the low slung styling boosts its sporty outlook. A set of 17inch gun metal finish rims and side skirts complete the sleek body styling.

Inside, it’s a blend of classy material and sporty details. My personal favourite are the black and red seat and interior trims. The red illumination meter and red ring cup holder matches the interior colours nicely. You can proudly ferry your business partners for a power lunch or take the family on a road trip comfortably anytime.

The seat can be folded and arrange to 8 different settings according to your need, meaning that the Honda Stream can go from a 7-seater people carrier to a 2-seater cargo carrier without fuss.

The 140hp 1.8i-VTEC power plant is sufficient to bring the 1385kg vehicle plus its cargo up to speed and cruise in style. For a more involving drive the 5-speed transmission is mated with paddle shifters.

The Stream RSZ is very comfortable and spirited drive, whilst it’s no Civic when it comes to handling and power delivery, the Stream handles very well for a vehicle of its stature. Its well insulated cabin is another plus point when compared to rivals in its class.

In short, if you are a married family man who has stopped worrying above the way you look and feel, the Honda Stream is a car that will not pull you down any further.  Instead it will get you on the tread mill again to fix your protruding belly. It’s like getting married to hot looking woman who is also excellent at cooking and doing household chores.

Need to know:

Engine: Inline 4 Cyclinder SOHC i-VTEC, 16 valve

Displacement: 1799cc

Power: 140PS (engine) @ 6300rpm

Torque: 174Nm @ 4300rpm

Fuel Tank : 55L

Kerb Weight: 1385kg

Transmission: CVT with Grade Logic Control

Wheels: 17-inch alloy

Price: RM158,980.00 OTR with Insurance

Manufacturer/Distributor: Honda Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.