Honda Legend

Honda Legend

The catalogue records eight generation records, not eight unrelated cars. Two of them are restylings of an existing generation and must not be counted as extra generations.

The catalogue records eight generation records, not eight unrelated cars. Two of them are restylings of an existing generation and must not be counted as extra generations.

1 generation (1985-11-01 to 1990-09-30) is the only generation whose listed body is Coupe together with the 2 generation, and the only one with a Turbo version. Eleven modifications sit here: 2.0 AT 145 hp, 2.0 MT 145 hp, 2.0 AT 190 hp Turbo, two 2.5 AT (150 hp and 173 hp), two 2.5 MT (150 hp and 173 hp), two 2.7 AT (176 hp and 169 hp), and two 2.7 MT (176 hp and 169 hp). All are FWD. Fuel is 92 except the Turbo 2.0 AT and both 173 hp 2.5 versions, which use 95.

2 generation (1990-10-01 to 1995-09-30) is Coupe only, all 3.2 MT or 3.2 AT, all 3206 cc Gasoline, 6 cylinders, V-shaped, boost No. Eight lines: two 3.2 MT at 205 hp (different start dates and top speeds) and six 3.2 AT at 205, 215, or 235 hp.

3 generation (1995-10-01 to 1998-08-31) switches the listed body to Sedan. Two versions share the name 3.5 AT and must be split: 215 hp at 1580 kg versus 205 hp at 1750 kg.

3 generation, restyling (1998-09-01 to 2004-09-30) keeps one 3.5 AT at 215 hp but raises kerb weight to 1670 kg, switches fuel to 98, and is the first Honda Legend in this set with a mixed consumption figure (11.5 l/100 km). Displacement is 3473 cc versus 3474 cc on the pre-restyle pair.

4 generation (2004-10-01 to 2008-09-30) is the first AWD sedan here: one 3.5 AT, 295 hp, 351 Nm, 7.3 s to 100 km/h, 250 km/h.

4 generation, restyling (2008-08-01 to 2012-07-31) keeps 295 hp and AWD but changes the name to 3.7 AT, 3664 cc, 371 Nm, 7.1 s, mixed 11.6 l/100 km.

5 generation (2015-01-01 to 2018-01-31) is the first Hybrid: 3.5 I-Shift, 314 hp, 371 Nm, Robotic 7, AWD, 1980 kg, tank 57 l, CO2 138. 0–100 km/h, top speed, and all three consumption figures are not measured. Ground clearance is not measured.

5 generation, restyling (2018-02-01, no end date in the data) is the same 3.5 I-Shift at 314 hp with kerb 1990 kg (+10 kg) and clearance 145 mm. Production stop is not measured.

Engines and specs

Every version is 6 cylinders, V-shaped, front transverse. Boost is No except the 1 generation 2.0 AT 190 hp (Turbo). Gearboxes in the data are Manual, Automatic, or Robotic. Drive is FWD through the 3 generation, restyling, then AWD from the 4 generation onward.

Specific output from these figures: Hybrid 3.5 I-Shift 314 hp / 3.471 L = 90.5 hp/L. 4 generation 3.5 AT 295 / 3.471 = 85.0 hp/L. 4 generation, restyling 3.7 AT 295 / 3.664 = 80.5 hp/L — more capacity, not more power. 3 generation 3.5 AT 215 / 3.474 = 61.9 hp/L. 2 generation 3.2 AT 235 / 3.206 = 73.3 hp/L. 1 generation Turbo 2.0 AT 190 / 1.996 = 95.2 hp/L, the highest specific output in the set. Naturally aspirated 2.0 MT 145 / 1.996 = 72.6 hp/L.

Injection is Direct injection (direct) only on both Hybrid 3.5 I-Shift cars; every Gasoline version is Distributed injection (multi-point). Compression is 11.5 on the Hybrid pair, 11.2 on 3.7 AT, 11 on 4 generation 3.5 AT, 10 on the 215 hp and 235 hp 3.2 AT lines, 9.6 on the 205 hp 2 generation and both 3 generation 3.5 AT cars, 9.2 on 145 hp 2.0 cars, 9.0 on Turbo 2.0 AT. Compression is not measured on all 2.5 and both 2.7 families of the 1 generation.

Performance and economy

0–100 km/h is not measured on either Hybrid 3.5 I-Shift, on 1 generation 2.7 AT 176 hp, 2.7 MT 176 hp, and 2.5 AT 173 hp. Where it is measured, the ranking is:

• 7.1 s — 4 generation, restyling 3.7 AT
• 7.3 s — 4 generation 3.5 AT (0.2 s slower; 20 Nm less; same 295 hp)
• 8.0 s — 2 generation 3.2 AT 235 hp (both date bands) and 1 generation 2.5 MT 173 hp
• 8.1 s — both 2 generation 3.2 MT 205 hp
• 8.4 s — 2 generation 3.2 AT 215 hp from 1991-01-01; 8.5 s for the same name from 1990-10-01
• 8.6 s — 1 generation Turbo 2.0 AT 190 hp
• 8.8 s — both 2 generation 3.2 AT 205 hp, and 1 generation 2.7 MT 169 hp
• 8.9 s — 1 generation 2.5 MT 150 hp
• 9.0 s — 3 generation 3.5 AT 215 hp and 3 generation, restyling 3.5 AT 215 hp
• 9.1 s — 3 generation 3.5 AT 205 hp
• 9.4 s — 1 generation 2.7 AT 169 hp
• 10.1 s — 1 generation 2.0 MT 145 hp; 10.2 s 2.5 AT 150 hp; 10.8 s 2.0 AT 145 hp

The Manual versus Automatic gap at equal power is consistent where both exist. 2 generation 3.2 MT 205 hp does 8.1 s against 3.2 AT 205 hp at 8.8 s (0.7 s). 1 generation 2.0 MT 145 hp does 10.1 s against 2.0 AT 145 hp at 10.8 s (0.7 s). 2.5 MT 150 hp 8.9 s versus 2.5 AT 150 hp 10.2 s (1.3 s). 2.7 MT 169 hp 8.8 s versus 2.7 AT 169 hp 9.4 s (0.6 s).

Top speed is not measured on either Hybrid 3.5 I-Shift, on 2.7 AT 176 hp, 2.7 MT 176 hp, and 2.5 AT 173 hp. The 250 km/h figure appears only on 4 generation 3.5 AT and 4 generation, restyling 3.7 AT. Next measured peaks: 233 km/h (3.2 AT 235 hp from 1991-01-01), 231 km/h (3.2 AT 215 hp from 1991-01-01), 227 km/h (both 215 hp 3.5 AT sedans), 226 km/h (3.2 MT and 3.2 AT 205 hp from 1991-01-01). The 1990-10-01 band of those 2 generation cars is 3 km/h slower at 205 hp (223 vs 226) and 9 km/h slower at 235 hp (224 vs 233). The slowest measured top speed is 192 km/h on 2.0 AT 145 hp; the matching 2.0 MT is 210 km/h.

Fuel consumption is not measured on 24 of 27 versions. The three that have numbers:

• 2 generation 3.2 AT 205 hp from 1991-01-01: city 13.3, highway 8.1, mixed 10.5 l/100 km
• 4 generation 3.5 AT: 17 / 8.9 / 11.9
• 4 generation, restyling 3.7 AT: 16.3 / 8.9 / 11.6

The restyle therefore cuts city use by 0.7 l/100 km and mixed by 0.3 at the same highway 8.9. Mixed 11.5 l/100 km on 3 generation, restyling 3.5 AT is 0.1 below 3.7 AT mixed, with 80 hp less. The Hybrid 3.5 I-Shift pair list CO2 138; CO2 is not measured on every Gasoline version. Eco class is not measured on all versions.

Dimensions and weight

Kerb mass is the main physical difference a buyer can count.

Lightest measured: 1320 kg, 1 generation 2.0 MT 145 hp. Matching 2.0 AT 145 hp is 1370 kg (+50 kg). Turbo 2.0 AT 190 hp is 1430 kg. 2 generation Coupe kerbs run 1545–1600 kg where measured; 3.2 AT 205 hp from 1990-10-01 has kerb not measured. 3 generation 3.5 AT 215 hp is 1580 kg; the same-name 205 hp car is 1750 kg — 170 kg heavier for 10 hp less. The restyling 3.5 AT 215 hp is 1670 kg, 90 kg above the lighter 215 hp pre-restyle car. 4 generation 3.5 AT 1860 kg; restyle 3.7 AT 1868 kg (+8 kg). Hybrid 3.5 I-Shift 1980 kg, then 1990 kg after restyling. From the lightest 1 generation 2.0 MT to the current Hybrid restyle the kerb rises 670 kg.

Gross weight is not measured on both Hybrid cars, on several 2 generation 3.2 AT lines (215 and 235 hp), and on all 1 generation versions. Where listed: 2150 kg (2 generation 205 hp cars), 2180 kg (all three 3 generation 3.5 AT lines), 2310 kg (both 4 generation sedans).

Mass per horsepower where both figures exist: Hybrid restyle 1990/314 = 6.34 kg/hp; Hybrid pre-restyle 1980/314 = 6.31; 3.7 AT 1868/295 = 6.33; 4 generation 3.5 AT 1860/295 = 6.31. The Hybrid does not improve kg/hp versus the last Gasoline AWD sedan; it matches it while adding 122 kg versus 3.7 AT and 19 hp. 2 generation 3.2 AT 235 hp at 1590 kg is 6.77 kg/hp. 3 generation 3.5 AT 215 hp at 1580 kg is 7.35 kg/hp; the 205 hp twin at 1750 kg is 8.54 kg/hp, the worst among measured V6 sedans here. Turbo 2.0 AT 1430/190 = 7.53 kg/hp. 2.0 MT 1320/145 = 9.10 kg/hp.

Ground clearance: 145 mm on Hybrid restyle and 4 generation 3.5 AT; 150 mm on 3.7 AT, all 3 generation 3.5 AT, and all 1 generation cars; 153 mm on 2 generation 205 hp cars; 155 mm on 2 generation 215 hp and 235 hp 3.2 AT. Hybrid 5 generation (non-restyle) clearance is not measured.

Tank: 57 l on both Hybrid 3.5 I-Shift (−16 l versus 73 l on both 4 generation cars). 68 l from 1 generation through 3 generation, restyling. Wheels are not measured except 3 generation 3.5 AT (both 215 hp and 205 hp): 215/55 R16 and 215/60 R16. Front suspension is Independent, spring and rear Independent, spring on every version. Front brakes are Ventilated disc from the 2 generation 205 hp cars upward, except 3 generation 3.5 AT pair listed as Disc front and Disc rear; 1 generation front type is not in a separate field beyond the shared pattern of later cars — front on 1 generation versions is not given as Ventilated disc in these rows (those rows use Disc only where listed for 3 generation). Rear brakes label in the data is Disc on all listed cars. Front on 4 and 5 generation: Ventilated disc.

Which version to choose

If you want the latest Honda Legend in the catalogue: 5 generation, restyling 3.5 I-Shift (314 hp, Hybrid, Robotic 7, AWD, 1990 kg, 145 mm, tank 57 l, CO2 138). What you do not get versus 3.7 AT: a 0–100 time (not measured vs 7.1 s), a top speed (not measured vs 250 km/h), city/highway/mixed consumption (all not measured vs 16.3 / 8.9 / 11.6), 16 litres of tank, and 8 mm of the restyle-4 clearance. What you do get: +19 hp, the same 371 Nm, two extra gears, Hybrid instead of Gasoline, Direct injection (direct) instead of Distributed injection (multi-point), 122 kg more kerb. The non-restyle 5 generation 3.5 I-Shift is the same powertrain at 1980 kg; clearance not measured; it ended 2018-01-31. There is no second Hybrid tune to pick.

If you want the strongest measured performance: 4 generation, restyling 3.7 AT. It is 0.2 s quicker than 4 generation 3.5 AT, shares 250 km/h, adds 20 Nm (371 vs 351) and 193 cc, cuts mixed use by 0.3 l/100 km and city by 0.7, and puts clearance at 150 mm versus 145 mm. Power stays 295 hp, so the extra capacity does not buy horsepower; it buys torque and 0.2 s. Kerb penalty is 8 kg. Both are Automatic 5, AWD, Gasoline, 95, tank 73 l, gross 2310 kg. kW differs: 220 vs 217.

If you want AWD without Hybrid: those two 4 generation cars are the only Gasoline AWD sedans in the set. There is no FWD 4 generation row to compare.

If you want a sedan without AWD: stay in 3 generation. Do not take the two 3.5 AT names as equals. 3.5 AT 215 hp at 1580 kg is 10 hp and 15 Nm above 3.5 AT 205 hp, 0.1 s quicker (9.0 vs 9.1), 12 km/h faster (227 vs 215), and 170 kg lighter. Same 3474 cc, same 4-speed Automatic, FWD, 68 l, 150 mm, wheels 215/55 R16 and 215/60 R16. The restyling 3.5 AT 215 hp keeps 9.0 s and 227 km/h but weighs 1670 kg (+90 kg vs the light 215 hp car), uses 98 instead of 95, and is the only 3 generation car with mixed 11.5 l/100 km. Choose the pre-restyle 215 hp car for mass; the restyle if you need the mixed figure and 98.

If you want a Coupe and a Manual: 2 generation 3.2 MT 205 hp. From 1991-01-01 it is 8.1 s and 226 km/h at 1545 kg; from 1990-10-01 it is 8.1 s and 223 km/h at 1550 kg. Against 3.2 AT 205 hp you pay no power and gain 0.7 s; you lose the only mixed consumption number in that generation (10.5 l/100 km is on the 1991 3.2 AT 205 hp only). If you want more power in the Coupe, 3.2 AT 235 hp is the peak (235 hp, 8.0 s). Note its torque is 289 Nm, 4 Nm below the 205 hp cars’ 293 Nm and 10 Nm below the 215 hp cars’ 299 Nm: the extra 30 hp versus the 205 hp AT does not add torque. Top speed is 233 km/h (1991 band) or 224 km/h (1990 band). Kerb 1590 kg. 3.2 AT 215 hp sits between them (8.4 or 8.5 s).

If you want the lightest Honda Legend or the only Turbo: 1 generation Coupe. 2.0 MT 145 hp is 1320 kg, 10.1 s, 210 km/h, 92. Turbo 2.0 AT 190 hp is the specific-output leader (95.2 hp/L), 8.6 s, 224 km/h, 95, 1430 kg — 110 kg more than the 145 hp MT for +45 hp and 1.5 s. Among 2.5 cars, 2.5 MT 173 hp (8.0 s, 210 km/h, 95) is the quickest 1 generation line that has a 0–100 figure; matching 2.5 AT 173 hp has 0–100, top speed, and torque not measured. 2.7 AT 176 hp and 2.7 MT 176 hp (2675 cc) have no 0–100 and no top speed; 2.7 AT 169 hp and 2.7 MT 169 hp (2700 cc) do (9.4 / 8.8 s, 207 / 213 km/h). Do not merge the 176 hp and 169 hp 2.7 pairs: displacement 2675 vs 2700, and only the 169 hp pair has performance figures.

Reliability / problems as a buying filter: this dataset does not list faults, service intervals, or failure rates. What it does list for every version is drivetrain type, so the mechanical fork is Hybrid Robotic 7 AWD versus Gasoline Automatic 5 AWD versus Gasoline Automatic 4 FWD versus Gasoline Manual 5 FWD. Boost Turbo appears once. Fuel 92, 95, or 98 is in the table above.

Short arithmetic ranking for a buyer who will not read the rest: lowest kg/hp among cars with both numbers — 4 generation 3.5 AT and 5 generation 3.5 I-Shift at 6.31 kg/hp. Fastest measured 0–100 — 3.7 AT 7.1 s. Lightest — 2.0 MT 145 hp, 1320 kg. Highest hp — Hybrid 3.5 I-Shift 314. Only Turbo — 2.0 AT 190 hp. Only versions with a full city/highway/mixed set — 3.2 AT 205 hp (1991), 3.5 AT 295 hp, 3.7 AT 295 hp. If a figure you need is not measured on the car you want, it is not measured: do not treat a blank as a zero.