2009 Honda Legend specifications
August 15, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
Honda’s quiet achiever is about to undergo a minor facelift and power upgrade. The Honda Legend is the company’s international award-winning flagship sedan, but in Australia, it’s a little under the radar.
So far this year Honda has only sold 54 Legends, but the 2009 model is set to increase sales. The Japanese company says the new Legend will deliver more power and torque, together with increased efficiency and refinement.
From the outside, there are 12 noticeable differences as well, starting with larger 18-inch allow wheels (245/45R18 tyres). Other enhancements include a new aluminium bonnet (less weight), new bi-xenon headlights and upgraded pentagonal grill, a new front bumper which encompasses integral fog lights and distinctive lower cooling air intakes, new rocker panels, new higher rate spring and damper settings, a new boot lid with integral spoiler, a new rear bumper, new tail-lights and a new exhaust treatment.
The final enhancement is the integration of a new ‘acoustic windscreen’, which Honda says includes a thin film of butul alcohol between two bonded glass panels to deliver a whisper-quiet cabin.
Under the bonnet sits the same V6 VTEC engine as found in the current Legend. However capacity has increased from 3.5 to 3.7-litres, with total power now at 226kW and maximum torque increasing to 370Nm.
Fuel consumption has also come down, while power has gone up. Dropped from 11.8L/100km to 11.3L/100km.
The 3.7-litre engine is special in many ways, most importantly for being the most powerful production engine ever offered by the Japanese company.
The power and torque is delivered to the wheels through an upgraded version of the five-speed Sequential SportShift transmission available in the MY08 model. The auto comes with sports mode and steering wheel-mounted paddle-shift controls.
The most obvious advantage the Legend has overs its comptetitors is the car’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. Honda says the SH-AWD is different to the systems offered by rival Japanese manufacturers (Subaru and Mitsubishi), in the sense that in demanding cornering situations it boosts torque delivery to the outside rear wheel, allowing for better handling.
Going back inside, the MY09 model also features a host of interior upgrades. The front seats now come standard with 10-way power adjustability, there is a new steering wheel which, just like the gear selector is trimmed in supple leather.
Additionally the 10-speaker BOSE Sound System and Satellite Navigation System now come as standard equipment on the new Legend. Finally the climate control air conditioning functions have been redesigned for better practicality.
Safety is taken care of by six airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist, Emergency Brake Assist, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, anti-lock brakes and a standard reversing camera and more.
Interested? The new Honda Legend will retail from $77,500 (only one grade) and will hit Honda dealers from September 1st 2008. Expect a review of the new Legend soon.
Print it: 
Nice car, however, they do seem a little cramped inside, atleast the MY08s did, I also think they are a tad expensive.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZ……. classy interior, grip levels that owners will never explore, but still way undertorqued for its weight. Wake me up when it loses 200kg or gets a Honda-smooth V6 turbodiesel, or preferably both.
Yeh i agree very very nice interior.Commodore should learn few tricks from honda on that department
Nice car but I think I know why people would buy 4WDs over this. For the same price you can get a TDV6 Disco or top of the line Prado. You can put a boat on the back, tow the caravan or even put 7 people in it. A lot more versatility for the same price, not to mention the 4WD is likely easier on fuel.
But some people want a nice sedan and I’m sure this Honda would be a great drive.
Am I the only person that sees lots of things wrong with the exterior design?
A boring, upmarket car! They might sell an extra 10 more than the 57 they already sold of the old model.;)
Andrew – what? people in the market for rugged 4WD’s like prado’s and people in the market for luxury sedan’s are two very different people…
Alphabetta – no your not. Way to go Honda, you rewined a perfectly good looking car.
Richo Says:
August 15th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Andrew – what? people in the market for rugged 4WD’s like prado’s and people in the market for luxury sedan’s are two very different people…
————————————————————————————————————
Not necessarily. A Volkswagen Touareg, Lexus RX350, or Volvo XC90 can be had for that kind of money. And the depreciation on a Honda Legend is terrible. The car has only been out for 24 months and yet there are already examples selling for around the $50,000 mark (from dealers mind you) with low kilometres.
If you put it up against comparable sedans like the Audi A6 or Volvo S80 its not a bad choice, but buyers don’t tend to limit their options to that extent.
I think its a very well presented car, but about 15 to 20 K overpriced. It sits well above all the local luxury sedans G6E, Calais ect, but doesnt have the cache of any of the euros that are priced at a similar level. Perhaps this reason alone is why Honda isn’t selling many. 80K for a Honda does sond like a lot. Perhaps they need the Acura badge for this car here in Australia.
Well that windscreen sound expensive to replace. Never ceases to amaze me the idiots complaining about replacement rotor costs forget things like this.
Not a bad effort but we’ll nver see it in Europe to expensive when you can have a BMW/Audi/Merc instead.
Chucky – i said RUGGED four wheel drive like a prado etc, thanks
Nice well rounded car, with a plenty of specs on paper. But it is still quite heavy and doesn’t really fit into the market. Its either a cheap luxury car, or a really expensive everyday sedan. You’d have to really love Honda to buy this over anything else. I agree it would probably sell better as an Acura, but then again, if it were an Acura expect prices to be up even more. All the individual design elements look quite good in isolation, but when it all gets put together, i don’t think it works so well. The older model looked a lot nicer imo. But good try by Honda anyway.
Front end = fussy lines, will age quick :P
I don’t get it, what is Honda trying to achieve with this? is it a sports saloon (with the SUPER awd mentioned) or is it a family car (then why would it need all that Super awd + torque they mention) – and as mentioned by others heavy.. the interior with all that button galore – don’t see the relevance of this car in the local market …
I’ve always found it weird how honda goes around touting a n/a v6 is the most powerful engine they have ever made.
What does one choose? A G6ETurbo at $55,000 or a Legend at $75,000? Both cars are similar in size, features, safety , fuel economy etc. but performance of the G6ET is in a different league all together.
Have Aussie cars really come this far or have Honda really not moved with the times?
I agree the Legend is pricey.I wouldn’t buy one.The G6ETurbo is a very good car but really,the only thing that is high tech or makes it “special”,is the tacked on turbo.Someone also mentioned about the Legend dating quickly well I think it’s something that the FG Falcon has already achieved.
Another comment was that it’s Sh-awd would not be “fully explored” well,logic then would dictate that all awd cars (e.g Audi Quattro system))would also not have their awd capabilities “fully explored”.
I would venture to say that the fit and finish and overall quality(in that price range)is going to be something that Ford or GM-H could only dream of.
From all reports overseas, it seems that the next generation Legend will have a V8 to replace the V6 which is already MORE powerful than any of the local NA sixes :)
80k for a Honda that to me looks pretty much like an Accord?
I’m not Honda bashing, but that does seem like quite a lot. I’ve also never quite understood why s2000 are so expensive as well. Around 75k last time I checked? :S
No wonder they only sold 57 cars, at $77k most people would buy mid-range German alternatives. Other than that, its a really nice car, would be an excellent second-hand car to buy considering the depreciation will hit hard.
I think Honda have tried to position this car as a cheaper alternative of the Audi A6, Merc E-Class or BMW 5-series, however because in Australia it wears a Honda badge instead of an Acura badge, people make the assumption it is an overpriced rival to the Falcon G-series or Calais.
I think it’s about time they bring in the Acura badge and call this the RL to make its mark as a luxury car instead of a bloated Accord. Also badly needed is a V8, which Honda has not set foot on.
54 sales, they should be rapped with that
$77,500 LOL they are on drugs, its Benz/BMW money
Its a cheap nast hahonda [Scamp] should be $19,990 driveaway with free fuel and services for a year
Cheers
F-0
I was involved at the first eveluation of the KB – the first SAWD Legend in 2005. Looks may be one thing and price another. Both are classically Honda. For the money, it leaves the E350/280 standing in a puddle. The A6 does not rate. The 5 series is more cramped and a lot more money for what you get. You DO need to experience the SAWD. It really is something else that is well outside the usual 4WD square. This is not a car for 4WD drivers. Its a very refined lux sedan that will appeal to that buyer segment and is carefully sized and priced for it. Finally, you really need to look at Honda service costs. Lowest in the land bwecause typically, nothing is ever wrong. Tell that to the G6E drivers. Ford’s service costs are extremely high just for a routine 20K service. This is another fantastic piece of auto Engineering by Honda. Don’t look, go and drive it.
That article read like it came straight from Honda’s marketing department.
No alphabeta777 you;re not the only one, honda have done it again: change for the sake of change & stuffed up an original design that was beautifully proportioned and elegant, – a tad generic maybe for some, but it won’t date like this clunky gimmicky awkward new fashonista thing. IF YOU’RE LISTENING Honda , I was hoping you would heed the critics & develop & refine the few shortcomings of the original – chassis refinement /suppleness/steering response, weight/economy, further work on NVH etc. This and I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT ONE ! I love the look of the original. The new one ? – NEVER.
If your big cars fail to sell to your expectations try extending your model cycles and just refine/develop the original good design – until then you will never match the Euro’s !
For me, Looks are subjective at best in any car. I’m not one to want to impress anyone but myself. Anyway, Look at the Latest BMW’s and Mercs for example are they good looking? I don’t think so.
But what gives this car beauty in my mind is the fact that down a twisty undulating road only an Evo X might be a tad quicker at the limit though I doubt it as all of the overseas testers have never commented on the effectiveness of the stability control because despite their high skill levels they have not had the balls to drive the legend fast enough for it to necessitate engagement of the stability control. It sticks to the road that well!
Going on that little bit of info, it is probably true to say that this car would give an AMG C class a good run for it’s money point to point, on most roads and do it with a dam sight more comfort and poise. I want one and will probably buy one of these cars at let’s face it half the price of an AMG of smaller proportions and with a lesser luxury specification.
Um…… I also reckon this is more of a 5 series BMW or Merc E series size car so that puts the value in an even more impressive light.
For the imbeciles who show their lack of knowledge about cars and driving who would compare this thoroughbred against a top of the range Fowl-can-odore, I say get a life, get outside in the sunshine and away from the computer screen and leave the comments on all cars within these reviews to actual prospective owners and the sort of person who might actually get the most out of such an engineering joy.
Oh yes. just one negative. No hand operated hand brake for quick U-turns and tight hairpin bends. They are using a US market “inspired” foot job. Bugger!
It is great to see the broad views here. I have just taken delivery on one of these and I can make some comments. Flipper and Woja make good points about the styling. It is modern day and the small changes to the previous SHAWD model really give the car a visual boost. The pics on this site are not flattering at all. That is very unfortunate. I have 18 inch rims and the car looks very sporty. This car is beautifully made outside and in and that is a given at the price. But Honda have done it really well and much better than the previous SHAWD model and the Old Legend before that. It is a firm ride by comaprison to many others but the performance is really staggering and I can certainly understand that soft suspension wont work. The Sat nav is very easy to operate and incorporates lots of operations, settings and options. I’ve found one mismapped area and I have no answer from Honda if that can be rectified. There is a 4 way bar graph for the SHAWD that shows what wheel is doing what but the fact is this car is the best handling car I’ve ever driven. There are some issues and they relate to the grade logic I think when applied to the 4WD. It seems too sensitive up hill. Controls are brilliant but the AM radio is a farce considering the sound system otherwise is brilliant to set and listen to. The car was delivered with the steering wheel not centred, a poor oversight by the dealer for this flagship. I guess I will stay concerned about the dealer ability to service this beast. But I am pretty happy with the standard features list and the beautiful finish that is trendier and more comfortable than a BM5 and a lot less money than BM or Merc as Flipper and Woja say. It is quieter, smoother and rides better than than an Audi.
Just my views. If there were other issues I would say but there are not. Brilliant. Pity we are limited to 110ks, its easy to feel that 240 would be a doddle. Great deal.
Falcon inline six has always been deceptively quick.
I hope this dragging didn’t take place on public roads.