It was largely based on the Civic, with the same flat chassis but added 100 mm in length to accommodate the third row of seats.

In December 2003, Honda Stream Absolute debuted with DI 2.0 L K20B engines with improved fuel efficiency equipped with CVT.

[3] No other Honda vehicles were equipped with direct injection technology until the Earth Dreams engines were launched in 2012 in the United States.

The lower-end spec features the R18A 1.8-liter SOHC i-VTEC (2-stage) engine with a 5-speed automatic gearbox (and a 5-speed manual transmission in some countries).

The Honda Stream was launched in November 2007, powered by a 1.8 L engine producing 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) at 6,300 rpm and 174 Nm of torque at 4,300 rpm and is mated to a 5-speed automatic gearbox, with fourth and fifth being overdrive gears for better highway fuel economy.

For the RST model, a combination of the removal of the third row seat (in some countries) and adoption of light weight 17" alloy wheels reduces weight and improves handling and acceleration; the handling is further enhanced by suspension tuning and a tailgate spoiler is also added.