What year was the last Acura Legend?
The last Acura Legend was produced for the 1995 model year.
Launched in the mid-1980s, the Legend was Acura's flagship luxury sedan in North America, built in two generations before being phased out in favor of the Acura RL for the 1996 model year.
Timeline of the Legend’s production
Below is a concise timeline that outlines the two generations of the Legend and how the model line came to an end.
- First generation (mid-1980s to 1990): Debuted in Japan as the Honda Legend and arrived in the United States as the Acura Legend in 1986, continuing until roughly 1990 in the U.S. market.
- Second generation (1990–1995): A refreshed design and improved engineering kept the Legend in production through the 1995 model year, after which Acura shifted focus to its new flagship sedan.
The Legend’s production concluded in 1995, making way for the 1996 introduction of the Acura RL as its successor.
Notable features and evolution
Before detailing the evolution, this section highlights how the Legend changed across its lifespan and what it represented in Acura’s lineup.
- First generation: Established Acura as a player in the luxury segment with a front‑engine, V6 layout and a focus on quality interiors and new features for its time.
- Second generation: Brought styling updates, refined ride quality, and more modern electronics, continuing to position the Legend as Acura’s prestige sedan until its retirement in 1995.
The Legend’s retirement in 1995 set the stage for Acura’s next-generation flagship, the RL, which debuted for the 1996 model year and carried forward the brand’s emphasis on luxury and performance.
Transition to the RL
In 1996, Acura launched the RL as the Legend’s successor in North America, marking the end of the Legend nameplate after nearly a decade of production.
Summary
The Acura Legend last appeared as a 1995 model year sedan. Its legacy ended when Acura introduced the RL for 1996, signaling a shift in the brand’s approach to upscale sedans while preserving the Legend’s reputation for luxury and engineering. The final year remains a notable milestone in Acura’s early luxury-car history.
What car replaced the Acura Legend?
The Acura Legend was replaced by the Acura RL in 1996, which was then replaced by the RLX in 2014. The RLX was the final replacement, ceasing production after the 2020 model year, and the TLX then became Acura's flagship sedan.
You can watch this video to learn more about the history of Acura Legend: 57sAntique TAGSYouTube · Mar 30, 2022
- Acura RL: After the 1995 model year, the Legend was replaced by the 1996 Acura 3.5 RL, which is now commonly referred to as the RL.
- Acura RLX: The RL was succeeded by the RLX, which was first introduced for the 2014 model year. The RLX was the last in the lineage of the Legend's successors.
- Acura TLX: With the discontinuation of the RLX, the TLX became Acura's flagship sedan, as the market shifted further toward SUVs.
This video discusses the possibility of Acura reviving the Legend name: 39sFuture Concept CARsYouTube · Jun 14, 2025
What was the last year for Acura Legend?
1995
The Acura Legend is a mid-size luxury car manufactured by Honda from Japan. It was sold in the U.S. and Canada under Honda's luxury brand, Acura, from 1985 until 1995. It was the first flagship sedan sold under the Acura nameplate, until being renamed in 1996 as the Acura 3.5RL.
What Acura to stay away from?
According to CarComplaints.com, the 2003 model is one of the most problematic Acura TL years, with over 400+ NHTSA user complaints. This car's top three most prominent problems are transmission failure, car shakes during acceleration, and the peeling clear coat.
