Honda’s approach to tailgate design often prioritizes genuine utility over flashy gimmicks. The Japanese automaker developed a clever solution for loading cargo and passengers between 2015 and 2022 that the company called the Waku Waku tailgate. This system, available on the Step WGN minivan, solved a persistent problem in vehicle design: how to efficiently access a third row of seating and the cargo area simultaneously. The design integrated two distinct opening methods into a single mechanism, a concept that has appeared in various forms on American station wagons and trucks, but rarely with this level of integration.
How the Mechanism Works
The Step WGN featured a large, lift-up hatch that also included an integrated sideways-opening door. This arrangement allowed drivers to access the vehicle in a way that avoided the physical contortions common in other minivans. Unlike traditional models where passengers must flip second-row seats forward and squeeze through narrow gaps, this design offers a dedicated entry point. The asymmetrical door bisects the rear of the vehicle, suggesting which side can be opened and creating a distinct visual dip around the rear corner that blends into the window area.
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Access to the third row required the third seat to be folded into the floor. Once that was done, the inset door provided a spacious entryway. The mechanism allows one person to enter and sit down, after which another person can raise the seat from inside the cabin. This sequence solves the spatial constraints that typically plague three-row vehicles. The design is unashamedly asymmetrical, a feature that serves both functional and aesthetic purposes by guiding the user on how to operate the door.
The End of the Innovation
While the take rate on the Waku Waku tailgate was reportedly high, the current generation of the Step WGN has returned to a standard, upward-opening hatch. The removal of this feature removes a significant utility gain from the vehicle. In an era where automakers frequently add unnecessary complexity to infotainment systems and trim packages, the Waku Waku gate stands out as a rare example of a functional innovation that was subsequently removed. It serves as a reminder that sometimes the most valuable additions to a vehicle are the ones that make the physical act of entering and exiting simpler.
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This kind of specific utility is often lost in modern production planning. Manufacturers frequently cycle through features to refresh a model year, prioritizing cost reduction or trendiness over long-term practicality. The Waku Waku tailgate was a rare example of a design that made a tangible difference in daily use, yet its absence in newer models highlights the volatility of automotive innovation.
The system managed to solve the “tailgate conundrum” by treating the rear of the car not just as a cargo hold, but as an extension of the living space inside. This shift in perspective allowed for a configuration that feels intuitive rather than engineered. The return to a standard tailgate simplifies manufacturing, but it also removes a tool that genuinely improved the user experience for anyone needing to carry gear or move between all three rows.
