Was the Honda Legend RWD?
The Honda Legend RWD, a rear-wheel-drive luxury sedan, was a unique offering from the Japanese automaker. While it may not have been as widely known as some of Honda's other models, the Legend RWD had its own distinct features and characteristics that made it a compelling choice for certain drivers.
What is the Honda Legend RWD?
The Honda Legend RWD was a premium, rear-wheel-drive sedan produced by Honda from the late 1980s to the early 2000s. It was positioned as a more upscale and performance-oriented alternative to Honda's front-wheel-drive Accord and Acura TL models. The Legend RWD featured a longitudinally-mounted engine and a rear-wheel-drive layout, which provided a different driving experience compared to the more common front-wheel-drive configuration.
Key Features of the Honda Legend RWD
The Honda Legend RWD stood out from the crowd with several notable features:
- Rear-Wheel-Drive Layout: The Legend RWD's rear-wheel-drive setup offered improved handling and a more engaging driving experience, appealing to enthusiasts who preferred a more dynamic and responsive feel behind the wheel.
- Powerful Engines: The Legend RWD was available with a range of powerful V6 engines, including a 3.2-liter unit that produced up to 215 horsepower, providing ample performance for a luxury sedan.
- Premium Interior: The Legend RWD's cabin was well-appointed, featuring high-quality materials, a spacious layout, and a range of luxury amenities to create a comfortable and refined driving environment.
- Distinctive Styling: The Legend RWD had a sleek, elegant design that set it apart from more mainstream Honda and Acura models, giving it a unique visual identity.
While the Honda Legend RWD may not have achieved the same level of widespread popularity as some of Honda's other models, it nonetheless offered a distinctive and engaging driving experience for those seeking a more premium and performance-oriented luxury sedan.
Did Honda ever make a RWD car?
For instance, Honda's first production cars, like the T360 and S-series, were all rear-wheel drive, along with the Acty kei truck. Then you have the mid-engine Honda Beat kei car and its recent follow-up, the S660. Honda has even dabbled in RWD electric cars, like the Honda e.
Was Acura Legend RWD?
No, the Acura Legend was not rear-wheel drive (RWD); it was front-wheel drive (FWD). However, the second-generation Legend's design, with its longitudinally mounted engine, gave it a look and some handling characteristics that were similar to a RWD car, which was intentionally done to compete with other luxury sedans of the era.
You can watch this video to learn more about the Acura Legend's design and how it aimed to compete with other luxury cars: 55sDonutYouTube · Feb 13, 2020
- Front-wheel drive (FWD): All model years of the Acura Legend were front-wheel drive.
- Longitudinally mounted engine: Unlike most FWD cars that mount the engine transversely, the second-generation Legend used a longitudinally mounted engine, allowing for a longer, lower hood and a sportier profile that resembled a RWD car.
- RWD-like proportions: The design gave the car proportions similar to RWD luxury cars, which was a deliberate engineering choice to appeal to the luxury market, even though the power was still sent to the front wheels.
- Handling: The Legend's specific FWD setup with a longitudinally mounted engine resulted in a favorable weight distribution that contributed to its precise handling.
Has Acura ever made a RWD car?
No, most Acuras are front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, but some models, like the all-electric 2024 ZDX, offer a rear-wheel drive (RWD) option. The ZDX A-Spec is available with a single motor and rear-wheel drive, while other Acuras typically use their Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system.
Acura models with RWD
- Acura ZDX: The base model of the all-electric ZDX is available with a single electric motor, which drives the rear wheels, making it a rear-wheel drive vehicle.
Acura models with other drivetrains
- AWD: Most other modern Acura SUVs and sedans use their Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, which is standard on models like the RDX and available on the TLX.
- FWD: Many of Acura's historical models were front-wheel drive, but this is less common in their current lineup, which emphasizes AWD for better performance.
- RWD: Historically, Acura has made few RWD vehicles. The NSX supercar was a notable exception, but most other Acura models have not been RWD.
Is the Honda Legend FWD or RWD?
front-wheel drive
The major mechanical difference between the Legend and the Toyota, Mazda and Nissan sedans was that the Legend was front-wheel drive, which Honda stated was "quite simply the most logical means to the ends the engineers desired: a true luxury car with a low, aerodynamic hood; a spacious interior with a nearly flat ...
