Car review: Honda Legend

Auto Trader Ten Point Test: Honda Legend
Model tested: Honda Legend 3.5 i-VTEC V6
Price as tested: £39,602
Range price:  £36,452 - £40,302
Insurance group as tested: 17
Insurance group range: 17
Date tested: February 2008
Road tester: Adrian Higgins

Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 78%

The Honda Legend sees the Japanese manufacturer take the fight to the big three German manufacturers - BMW, Audi and Mercedes - as well as Lexus and Jaguar, for premium sales.

The Honda Legend may not boast its rivals’ badge prestige but its advanced technology makes it a competitor worthy of consideration.

Web Editor Adrian Higgins spent a week behind the wheel to see how the Honda Legend performs.

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Looks | Looks Inside | Practicality | Ride and Handling | Performance
Running Costs | Reliability | Safety | Equipment | X-Factor

1. Looks

Contrasted with the futuristic Honda Civic, the wedge-fronted Honda Legend is a subtle design which conceals the car’s size. This is especially true of the black model we test drove. The car’s coupe styling works well and the twin exhausts hint at the power available. The Legend is a discreet alternative to the big statement models offered by the German manufacturers.

7/10

2. Looks inside

The black leather seats, wood effect dash and dark plastics complement the red-needled, blue dials, which again hint at the car’s performance. The satnav-topped grey central stack introduces simplicity to an array of controls and looks good in front of the well-positioned gear knob. An “as standard” sunroof enables the driver to brighten the interior. The pale interior roof makes it a fairly light environment anyway despite the other dark materials.

7/10

3. Practicality

Four adults can travel in comfort in the Honda Legend but adding a fifth would not be ideal. Leg room for rear passengers is limited if two tall people are seated in tandem. The comfort for those in front is good thanks to eight-way adjustable electric seats with lumbar support and a reach and height-adjustable steering wheel. Expandable door pockets add extra space while the front armrest storage is roomy. The boot is easy to access but 452 litres luggage space seems snug for a car this size and the narrowing space will restrict some loads. The car is impressively quiet thanks to a noise-suppression system, though working the engine at higher speeds can be a little noisy.

6/10

4. Ride and Handling

The Legend introduced Honda’s super handling all-wheel drive system, designed to deliver power to the appropriate end, side or wheel when needed. The effect ensures motorists who enjoy driving will relish the Honda Legend’s handling - its cornering is very impressive. Steering wheel responses are good but could be sharper while the Legend’s sports car aspirations are coupled with a slightly firmer ride than some might expect. Care needs to be taken over uneven surfaces. Despite this, it is still a very comfortable car for motorway cruising.                                                                                                                                

8/10

5. Performance

The Honda Legend comes with a 295bhp 3.5-litre petrol engine which powers it from 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds and on to a limited maximum speed of 155mph. The power is delivered through a five speed automatic gearbox, though paddle shift controls enable manual changes. And it is at its greatest when the rev counter is at the 5000rpm mark, so drivers need to work the engine to get the best out of it. Diesel models are popular with premium saloon buyers and the lack of this option will be a concern to some potential buyers.

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7/10

6. Running Costs

The petrol-powered Honda Legend returns an average 24.mpg while CO2 emissions of 273g/km put it firmly in car tax band G – meaning an annual tax bill of £400. London drivers will also face the full force of the CO2-linked Congestion Charge from October 2008, meaning a daily bill of £25 for peak time trips into the centre of the capital. Group 17 insurance will add to an already hefty bill, which won’t be helped by a fairly steep drop in value as soon as it leaves the showroom.

5/10

7. Reliability

The current Honda Legend – Honda’s flagship model - was only launched in 2006 but the Japanese manufacturer has a superb reputation for churning out ultra-reliable cars which won’t break down. There is no reason to believe this one will be any different.

9/10

8. Safety

The Honda Legend achieved a maximum five-star rating following EuroNCAP crash tests.  Each model is equipped with front, front side and side curtain airbags while there is a wide array of other safety features designed to reduce the chance of an accident. This includes a vehicle stability assist system which combines control of the brakes, engine speed and traction control to help keep the car balanced and stable during cornering and in conditions when a crash could occur. Anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution and brake assist are also included. However, the Honda Legend’s safety features go beyond this to include the manufacturers’ collision mitigation braking system, which also works to increase the vehicle’s response to “critical conditions”.  The car incorporates a lane keeping assist system which warns the driver when straying outside their lane and adaptive cruise control which responds to the speed of the vehicle in front. A rear view camera will also help you park safely.

10/10

9. Equipment

The Honda Legend compensates for its reduced badge appeal compared to other cars in the premium saloon market with enormous amounts of very impressive kit. All features mentioned in this review: leather, satnav, the superb safety systems, rear view camera, electric-powered seats plus a Bose CD system come as standard.

10/10

10. X-Factor

This is an incredibly safe car specified to a very high standard, but we could have expected that from Honda. The Legend’s real X-factor is the car’s handling ability which should put a smile on the face of most drivers.

9/10

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