Japan · Announced 22 October 1985; Japanese sales began 23 November 1985

Honda Legend V6Xi

Honda's first top-rank luxury sedan used a compact sideways V6 and front-wheel drive to make a low bonnet and a roomy cabin.

Luxury sedans

Exterior · Photo shows Exact KA1/KA2 generation; V6Xi, 1985 and Japanese-market specification are unproven.. Exact KA1/KA2 generation; V6Xi, 1985 and Japanese-market specification are unproven.
1st generation Honda Legend.jpg · TTTNIS · CC0

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A place in vehicle history

More than a set of wheels.

Honda announced the Legend in October 1985 and began Japanese sales the following month through its new Clio channel. The V6Xi was the wide-body 2.5-litre flagship of the three-car launch range. Its new 24-valve V6, double-wishbone front suspension, low bonnet and front-wheel-drive packaging translated Honda's compact engineering ideas into a larger luxury sedan.

Look a little closer.

Honda offered the big 2.5-litre V6Xi with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic—an unusual choice for a Japanese luxury flagship.

Photos show an example of the model or generation. The pictured vehicle’s year, equipment, or modifications can differ from the specification described here.

Compact V6, big cabin

The 90-degree V6 used one camshaft to work four valves in each cylinder, plus hydraulic lash adjusters. Honda emphasized that making the cylinder heads compact helped create the Legend's low wedge-shaped nose without sacrificing the passenger space of its long wheelbase.

Source: Honda Factbook · Legend one-cam, four-valve V6 ↗

Luxury without rear-wheel drive

Japanese prestige sedans were commonly rear-driven, but Honda chose front-wheel drive. The compact transverse power unit and nearly flat floor prioritized cabin room and a low bonnet; suspension tuning and optional four-wheel anti-lock brakes addressed control and confidence.

Source: Honda · 1985 Legend launch release ↗

Where these facts come from

Selected facts checked for this edition. Some source pages link to broader model families. Last reviewed October 1, 2026.

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