Overview & Reviews

It takes confidence to name a car the Legend. If it had been forgettable with nothing legendary about it, Acura could have found itself derided for the irony. It would have forever become the butt of automotive jokes, or worse, part of an Alanis Morissette song. Luckily for Honda's luxury division, its bravado paid off with the Acura Legend, a car that's still held in high regard years after it bowed out in favor of an ironically forgettable replacement.

The Acura Legend was launched in 1986 alongside the Integra sport hatchback to create the Acura brand in North America. Actually co-developed with British automaker Rover (which named its version of the car the Sterling 825), the Legend -- available in sedan and coupe body styles -- was immediately a hit among consumers and reviewers alike.

Through its fledgling Acura brand, Honda successfully blended its penchant for reliability and engine expertise with luxury features previously unavailable in a car wearing the H badge. The second-generation Legend raised the bar even further and its introduction for 1991 saw the debut of Acura's own insignia -- a flipped Honda H with the top pinched to make an A -- that solidified the brand as more of a stand-alone entity.

When Acura discontinued the Legend name in favor of a new alphanumeric naming scheme for its latest luxury sedan, it unfortunately coincided with a drop in style and driving passion that had made the Legend such a success. The Legend's replacement, the RL, was certainly more luxurious and just as reliable, but hardly exciting.

As such, the Legend represents a '90s-era high point of Acura luxury sedan and coupe design. For used-vehicle shoppers, most Legends are getting up there in terms of miles but are still very viable choices.

Most Recent Acura Legend

The second-generation Acura Legend was produced from 1991-'95. The sedan was initially offered in base, L and LS trim levels, while the coupe stuck with L and LS throughout its run. The Legend's core engine was a 3.2-liter V6 making 200 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque, mated to a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. In 1993, coupes jumped to 230 hp and upgraded their manual transmission to a six-speed, while all Legends gained dual airbags.

In 1994 a new top-of-the-line GS sedan debuted with the stronger engine and larger 16-inch wheels. The base sedan was dropped, and all Legends added a new grille, bumpers and a power steering wheel that could finally tilt as well as telescope. Its final year, 1995, saw the addition of a limited-production SE sedan with slight cosmetic distinctions.

As with all Acuras, options were limited. An automatic transmission, CD changer and an upgraded Bose stereo were the rare à la carte choices, with leather an option on lower trim levels. Standard equipment included dual front airbags, antilock brakes, alloy wheels, full power accessories, a power driver seat with memory, a sunroof and steering-wheel audio controls. Traction control, keyless entry, heated seats, a power passenger seat and two-tone paint were among the standard items on the upper trim levels.

The Legend was not only good-looking and well-equipped, but rewarding to drive as well. Performance was strong, particularly with the more powerful V6 found on some of the later models. The interior was well-constructed and attractive, toeing the line between luxury and sport. However, headroom was iffy for taller drivers, and the backseat was a little skimpy on legroom due to the Legend's rare longitudinal engine layout. The coupe's rear quarters were even more cramped, though that's typical for two-doors.

Although most Acura Legends on the road now have high mileage, its reputation for consistently strong reliability makes well-maintained examples an excellent choice.

Past Acura Legend models

The original, slightly smaller Acura Legend was produced from 1986-'90 and available in coupe and sedan body styles. These cars set the precedent for future Acuras with high feature content, quality engineering and impeccable reliability.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 273.00

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  An underrated car worthy of becoming a classic - 1992 Acura Legend
  By Antonio Rodriguez - July 23 - 4:36 pm

  I bought this car off a lady that had neglected the car pretty bad, she pretty much just wanted to get rid of it, the car was not running as she had blown the had gaskets, the leather interior was nice on the back but the front seats were (still are) in a bad shape, and the clear coat of the paint was peeling off due to it being parked on the sun. Pretty much a beater, I hired a guy to rebuild the engine expecting a huge bill but to my surprise it wasn´t like that, although I must say PARTS ARE EXPENSIVE AND A BIT HARD TO FIND: BEWARE. Aside from that the car is flawless, in terms of reliability the car surprised me, just make the oil changes and tune ups in time and the car will not break down EVER, it runs very smooth and quiet, TOO QUIET. The engine is mounted longitudinally so it gives the car a great 60/40 balance and a great road feel, it corners hard but its weight (1700 KG aprox) becomes evident when pushing the car to the limits, the suspension is... ¨sporty¨although this was marketed as a ¨luxury sedan¨ back in the day, dont get me wrong the car is really confy but its more towards the stiff side so you can expect the car to remain flat when taking a turn at speed or doing evasive manuvers, it has ABS, 4 wheel disc brakes, dual airbags, Car alarm out of the factory and is study as hell, the seats and interior are great for tall people (I´m 6´3 - 1.96m), also the interior is very quiet, I can barely hear the engine rev and I fell no vibration at all coming from the engine, performance wise the car surprised me two, it has plenty of get up and go in case you need it, the 3.2 liter Honda V6 (C32A) is a great powerplant and though the car is a little past the ton and a half it doesnt feel like it at all, aftermarket wise...Its pretty much non existent, but the way to go with this car would be weight reduction and handling upgrades. So far I´m quite happy with my ¨little¨ beater(The damn thing is bigger than it looks or feels), one thing I dont like is the transmission, mine is a 4-speed auto and is really clumsy from time to time, it shifts at odd moments and sometimes hinders the performance of the car, If posible get the manual transmission with the 6-speed and a Type II engine (has a little more power), economy wise it´s...Okay, the gas isn´t the best as it gives 20-22 MPG city 25 highway if driven properly, if you have a lead foot the car will chug gas like there is no tomorrow, repair wise its a breeze, the car just doesnt die Mine has 300,000+ miles and the engine feels great, if you manage to break it you will find that parts are not too common as the engine is only used in this car and although the engine is the base for most of the current acuras nowadays newer parts will not fit, that right there is $$$, just find a good mechanic and be patient, If you give love to the car it will reward you. the car started just as another beater for me but now I just want to restore it to its former glory, even in its current run-down state I get compliments on the looks, I look forward to buying the coupe version so I can have the pair for sunday driving, If you have the chance of getting one in a good state you are in for a very charming, reliable stubborn ride.

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  beware the Blown Head Gasket of Death - 1994 Acura Legend
  By mannydantyla - January 8 - 10:14 pm

  First off, this is a good car. Great styling, very powerful V6 engine, fun to drive, and (99% of the time) mechanically reliable. I never had to do any major repairs except the CV shafts and a thermostat. That was until THE HEAD GASKET WENT OUT. And, on these cars, that means the entire engine must be pulled out of the engine bay to get the heads off and replace the gaskets. NOT WORTH IT. The speedometer was broken, muffler was shot, door jam was not working, telescoping steering wheel was stuck in the most upright position, seats where worn to shreds, rust was forming, etc. And all of that at ~140k miles. Good car but didnt last long. Beware if buying.

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  Why did Acura Stop Making This? - 1994 Acura Legend
  By alexgutfleish - May 17 - 7:42 pm

  I recently inherited my grandmothers 1994 Acura Legend, which only has 42,300 on the odometer. Overall the car is great, I love the handling, the acceleration, and the rear visibility is fantastic for a sedan of that size. The only things I dislike are the automatic transmission, which bucks when going from first to second. Also, the car does not get the best fuel economy and requires premium fuel, which isnt the best when gas is $4.20-4.50 a gallon. Finally, in terms of technology its "outdated" (It has a cassette player and no GPS). Other than that I love it. Great car!

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  Head gasket blown twice in 4 years - 1995 Acura Legend
  By Doberman - October 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car in 2006 when its mileage was 136K. The car had a sensor failure right after I bought it. The dealer was willing to fix it with free labor only. The car just turned 200K. In the past 4 years of ownership, I had replaced head gaskets twice, spending $2K+ each, replaced a control circuit board that failure caused a cable connector melted down. This year the left side ball joint broke and broke the ABS sensor as well. These could have been prevented if I was cautious about the noise I heard while driving the car. Last week, the car was hit at a spot between 2 doors on driver side by a truck. It is a total loss........

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  Good deal for 113k $1,400 in 2003 - 1990 Acura Legend
  By Misha - July 29 - 6:03 pm

  Still driving having put 10k on this beauty over 7 years, and little more than new tires, brakes and occasional battery or filter. Poor mileage (23 hwy) when driven to Calgary, Canada in January 2004, but otherwise perfect, esp. over Montana. Five-speed manual offers great handling and leather/electric everything is superb. Needs some body work, but only drive in summers, so no problem. G

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  Hitting the salvage yard with fond memories - 1991 Acura Legend
  By Acura Impressed - April 29 - 3:17 pm

  A stud of a car and Im still happy I purchased it those years ago. A powerful, fast car both on the freeway and off the line. Timeless lines and style before the paint started fading people asked about it thinking it was a newer model car. Only in the last couple year have I started to nickel and dime for small things. After a fender bender though, the insurance has deemed it an economic total -- transmission and engine are still strong with 160,000 miles on it.

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  An excellent, well-rounded car. - 1994 Acura Legend
  By tractor - January 28 - 2:44 pm

  This car really did give the owners about everything they could need when new, and even as old as it is, it still doesnt disappoint. Ive added a few touches here and there like a new stereo system and a short shifter and exhaust and those keep the car fresh. It really is a joy to drive. It allows for a sporty character and 4-door practicality. This car will perform if you know how to shift the 6-spd. Also, a suspension and brake upgrade will keep you happy. Keep on top of maintenance, especially with the cooling system and you will be pleased!

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  Old car for Young driver - 1990 Acura Legend
  By bensterk - December 30 - 8:00 pm

  My grandmother purchased this car used When I got my license she gave it to me. It currently has 171,000 miles. We have had some problems with it. For example, the starter went out and left me stranded at taco bell. Head seal broken which leaks oil on the engine which smokes= embarrassing. We had to get the Alarm system deactivated because it kept going off. Also, the ABS breaks are completely broken. But, this car can be so fun to drive, light steering and great throttle response. Seats are comfortable. The ride is very comfortable over normal conditions yet it can still be sporty. All in all a very fun car full of vigor and character.

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  Legend Lover - 1995 Acura Legend
  By 95legnd - October 20 - 8:23 pm

  Luxury performance power. I bought mine used @ 174,000. Always dreamed of owning one since I worked at acura dealer when they first came out but they were 40,000+ and I just worked in the parts dept.

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  Trustworthy - 1991 Acura Legend
  By leller - June 28 - 5:36 pm

  Ive never been stranded in my Legend. Now with 255,000 miles on it, still running strong. Finally had to fix air conditioner at 250K. Other than that the car is a gem.