Honda Life: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Honda Life version to choose depends mainly on whether you value lower weight, stronger performance, AWD, or the later four-speed Automatic. All listed cars are Mini 5-doors models with Gasoline inline three-cylinder engines, but their specifications vary meaningfully across the second, third, fourth, and fifth generations.
The Honda Life version to choose depends mainly on whether you value lower weight, stronger performance, AWD, or the later four-speed Automatic. All listed cars are Mini 5-doors models with Gasoline inline three-cylinder engines, but their specifications vary meaningfully across the second, third, fourth, and fifth generations. The simplest choice is the 48 hp 0.7 MT from the second generation; the lightest is the 50 hp 0.7 MT from the third generation at 790 kg; and the strongest is the 64 hp turbo 0.7 AT offered in the third and fifth generations. Among models with measured acceleration, the fifth-generation restyled 64 hp FWD 0.7 AT is quickest, reaching 100 km/h in 14.8 seconds.
Honda Life generations and version changes
The second-generation Honda Life, produced from April 1997 through September 1998, was a Mini 5-doors with two versions. Both were naturally aspirated 656 cc Gasoline models producing 48 hp and 56 Nm. Buyers could select the 0.7 MT with a five-speed Manual or the 0.7 AT with a three-speed Automatic; both were FWD.
The third generation ran from September 1998 through August 2003 as a Mini 5-doors and offered four versions. Its naturally aspirated 657 cc engine developed 50 hp and 61 Nm, gains of 2 hp and 5 Nm over the previous 656 cc engine. It was paired with either a five-speed Manual or a three-speed Automatic. This generation also introduced the listed 656 cc turbo specification with 64 hp and 93 Nm, a three-speed Automatic, and a choice of FWD or AWD.
The fourth generation covered September 2003 through October 2008. Its Mini 5-doors range contained two versions, both named 0.7 AT and both using the naturally aspirated 657 cc Gasoline engine with 50 hp and 61 Nm. The major choice was between FWD and AWD. The transmission gained a fourth ratio compared with the three-speed Automatic used by the comparable third-generation 0.7 AT.
The fifth generation was offered from November 2008 through April 2014, including a restyling from November 2010. Before the restyling, this Mini 5-doors generation had four versions: naturally aspirated and turbo 0.7 AT specifications, each available with FWD or AWD. The restyled range retained the same four-way choice. The principal recorded change was fuel-tank capacity, which rose from 30 litres before the restyling to 31 litres afterward. The restyled models also have Ventilated disc front brakes in the supplied specifications, whereas the earlier fifth-generation cars have Disc front brakes.
Honda Life engine specs and drivetrain comparison
Because several variants share the exact 0.7 AT name, power, drive type, and production period are essential identifiers.
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Second generation 0.7 MT | 48 hp | 56 Nm | 656 cc | 92 | 3, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second generation 0.7 AT | 48 hp | 56 Nm | 656 cc | 92 | 3, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Third generation 0.7 MT | 50 hp | 61 Nm | 657 cc | 95 | 3, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Third generation 0.7 AT, 50 hp | 50 hp | 61 Nm | 657 cc | 95 | 3, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Third generation 0.7 AT, 64 hp | 64 hp | 93 Nm | 656 cc | 95 | 3, Inline | Turbo | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Third generation 0.7 AT, 64 hp | 64 hp | 93 Nm | 656 cc | 95 | 3, Inline | Turbo | 3-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Fourth generation 0.7 AT, 50 hp | 50 hp | 61 Nm | 657 cc | 95 | 3, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Fourth generation 0.7 AT, 50 hp | 50 hp | 61 Nm | 657 cc | 95 | 3, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Fifth generation 0.7 AT, 50 hp | 50 hp | 61 Nm | 657 cc | 95 | 3, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Fifth generation 0.7 AT, 50 hp | 50 hp | 61 Nm | 657 cc | 95 | 3, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Fifth generation 0.7 AT, 64 hp | 64 hp | 93 Nm | 658 cc | 95 | 3, Inline | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Fifth generation 0.7 AT, 64 hp | 64 hp | 93 Nm | 658 cc | 95 | 3, Inline | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Fifth generation restyling 0.7 AT, 50 hp | 50 hp | 61 Nm | 657 cc | 95 | 3, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Fifth generation restyling 0.7 AT, 50 hp | 50 hp | 61 Nm | 657 cc | 95 | 3, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Fifth generation restyling 0.7 AT, 64 hp | 64 hp | 93 Nm | 658 cc | 95 | 3, Inline | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Fifth generation restyling 0.7 AT, 64 hp | 64 hp | 93 Nm | 658 cc | 95 | 3, Inline | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
The turbo engine provides the clearest numerical upgrade. Compared with the 50 hp naturally aspirated specification, it adds 14 hp and 32 Nm. The fifth-generation 658 cc turbo produces about 97.3 hp per litre, while the 657 cc naturally aspirated engine produces about 76.1 hp per litre. That is a difference of roughly 21.2 hp per litre.
The second-generation engine produces about 73.2 hp per litre from 656 cc. Moving to the third-generation naturally aspirated specification raises output per litre to about 76.1 hp, while torque rises from 56 Nm to 61 Nm.
Honda Life performance and MPG
Measured acceleration makes the fifth-generation turbo FWD 0.7 AT the performance choice. It reaches 100 km/h in 14.8 seconds. The turbo AWD 0.7 AT requires 16.5 seconds, so choosing AWD adds 1.7 seconds to the measured acceleration time.
The naturally aspirated fifth-generation FWD 0.7 AT reaches 100 km/h in 20.8 seconds, while the AWD version takes 23.6 seconds. FWD is therefore 2.8 seconds quicker in this comparison. Turbocharging cuts the FWD time by 6.0 seconds and the AWD time by 7.1 seconds.
The naturally aspirated third- and fourth-generation versions have no measured 0–100 km/h figure. Their measured top speed is 130 km/h. The fifth-generation naturally aspirated FWD and AWD versions also have a measured top speed of 130 km/h. Top speed for every listed turbo 0.7 AT is not measured, and acceleration for the third-generation turbo versions is not measured.
City fuel consumption, highway fuel consumption, and combined fuel consumption are not measured for every version. Consequently, no supported Honda Life MPG or gas-mileage comparison can be made from these specifications. CO₂ output and emissions class are also not measured for every version.
Honda Life dimensions, weight, clearance, and tank size
Exterior length, width, height, and wheel sizes are not measured for any listed version. Ground clearance is available: the second generation has 155 mm, while the third generation varies between 150 mm and 155 mm. Every fourth- and fifth-generation version has 150 mm.
The second-generation 0.7 MT weighs 770 kg, while the 0.7 AT weighs 780 kg. The Manual is therefore 10 kg lighter. Their respective weight-to-power figures are about 16.0 kg/hp and 16.3 kg/hp, giving the Manual a small advantage despite identical 48 hp outputs.
The third-generation 50 hp FWD 0.7 MT has a kerb weight of 790 kg, equivalent to 15.8 kg/hp. The 64 hp FWD turbo 0.7 AT weighs 860 kg, or about 13.4 kg/hp. It carries 70 kg more than the Manual but gains 14 hp, producing a substantially stronger weight-to-power result. The 64 hp AWD turbo 0.7 AT weighs 920 kg, equal to about 14.4 kg/hp and 60 kg more than the turbo FWD car.
The recorded fourth- and fifth-generation naturally aspirated AWD 0.7 AT has a kerb weight of 920 kg and a gross weight of 1,140 kg. Kerb and gross weights for the corresponding FWD versions are not measured. Weights for fifth-generation turbo versions are also not measured.
Tank capacity is 30 litres in the second generation and the pre-restyling fifth generation, 31 litres in the third generation and restyled fifth generation, and 35 litres in the fourth generation. The fourth generation therefore holds 5 litres more than the pre-restyling fifth generation and 4 litres more than the restyled fifth generation.
Which Honda Life version should you buy?
Choose the third-generation 0.7 MT if low recorded weight and a five-speed Manual are the priorities. At 790 kg and 50 hp, it improves on the second-generation 0.7 MT by 2 hp and 5 Nm while weighing 20 kg more. Its 15.8 kg/hp ratio is also better than the earlier Manual’s approximately 16.0 kg/hp.
Choose a fourth-generation 0.7 AT if you want the naturally aspirated 50 hp engine with a four-speed Automatic and the largest listed tank. Its 35-litre capacity exceeds every other generation represented here. FWD and AWD are both available, although measured acceleration is unavailable.
Choose the fifth-generation 64 hp FWD 0.7 AT if acceleration is the deciding factor. Its 14.8-second run to 100 km/h is the quickest measured result, beating the equivalent turbo AWD version by 1.7 seconds and the naturally aspirated FWD car by 6.0 seconds. The turbo also supplies 32 Nm more torque than the naturally aspirated engine.
Choose the fifth-generation 64 hp AWD 0.7 AT when AWD matters more than the quickest measured acceleration. It retains the turbo engine’s 64 hp and 93 Nm but reaches 100 km/h in 16.5 seconds rather than 14.8 seconds.
Finally, choose a restyled fifth-generation 0.7 AT if the recorded updates matter to you: its tank holds 31 litres instead of 30 litres, and its front brakes are Ventilated disc rather than Disc. Within that range, the 50 hp version is the naturally aspirated option, while the 64 hp turbo is the stronger choice. No purchase-price, reliability, engine-oil capacity, or engine-number-location data is provided, so those points cannot be used for a factual comparison here.