Honda Legend - Fourth Generation (KB1/KB2, 2004-2012)

Fourth Generation (KB1/KB2, 2004-2012)

The swoopier, shorter fourth-generation Honda Legend was launched on October 7, 2004 and became Japan's Car of the Year for 2004–5, marking the fourth time in five years that Honda has taken the award. Its reduced dimensions over the third generation model seem to suggest a return to what made the Legend so popular with the first generation, being a top level sedan that offered something different from its competitors. The 2011 model marks the 25 year anniversary of Honda Legend production.

In an attempt to address market driven requests that the Legend needed to be a rear drive sedan with a V8 engine, Honda introduced four wheel drive technology on the Legend, called "Super Handling All-Wheel Drive" SH-AWD, which earned Honda the Japan Car of the Year, and Mosuto 2005 Annual RJC technology of the Year award. The Legend is only available with the four wheel drive powertrain, however, the all wheel drive system is optional on the North American Acura TL (The TL is not sold in Japan). Due to continuous product improvement efforts over past generations, the series CP3 North American Honda Accord (Honda Inspire in some markets) shares wheelbase, length, width and engine displacement almost exactly with this generation Legend, with a reduced price in many international markets. The Legend does have a higher level of standard features and optional equipment but not by much.

Select-Shift was introduced on the 5 speed automatic transmission. The newly designed J35A 3.5 L V6 was changed from a 90 degree "V", in use since the first 1986 C25A V6 engine, to a 60 degree, and added VTEC to improve efficiency (M-TEC was added by the MUGEN division, called the "M1 package"). In a move echoing the many "firsts" introduced by the first generation Legend, the horsepower no longer complied with the self-imposed horsepower restrictions of the Japanese auto industry. The engine is capable of 300 PS (221 kW; 296 bhp).

Perhaps to accommodate the all wheel drive setup, the engine was reoriented from a longitudnal installation used since 1990, to a transverse installation, which was the original orientation of the first generation model. Honda began to expand the Acura division into Mexico, Hong Kong, and China. Plans to introduce the Acura brand in Japan haven't been formally announced, relying on speculation. This generation Legend shares large sedan duties with the Honda Inspire, known in North America as the Honda Accord starting with model year 2003 (series UC1) and continuing with the series CP3 sedan. September 15, 2005 saw a mild body restyle, which included a rear backup camera.The Akita and Kumamoto Prefectures adopted this Legend as the official car for local senior government officials.

The Legend received a Mid-Model Change (MMC) for the 2009 model year. Among the usual upgrades, the Honda Legend offered some additional optional safety features, including Lane Keeping Assistance System (LKAS). The LKAS could actually make small steering adjustments to keep a car in lane so long as the radius of the turn was more than 220 meters, which was the legal minimum in Japan. The LKAS would relinquish control at the slightest steering input so the driver had control at all times. Intelligent Night Vision with the world's first pedestrian detection feature, and a standard pop-up hood for pedestrian safety. The night vision system uses a separate heads up type display projected on the center bottom of the windshield. The infrared cameras do not require a light source, and the software is able to detect human like figures, surround the image with a red box and give audible caution tones. The pop-up hood uses a series of sensors that can detect a pedestrian-like object being thrown onto the hood. An actuator will pop the hood up at the rear, close to the base of the windshield, 10 cm (4 inches) to help minimize pedestrian injuries, especially head trauma. All markets feature energy absorbing hood and fender supports and deformable windshield wiper pivots to minimize pedestrian injury. Honda's internet-based navigation system Internavi is standard equipment on Japanese domestic vehicles.

In October 2010, it is reported that Brake Defect from Honda Honda Legend were delivered to customers before the problem is discovered. Honda says that it doesn’t know how many of its vehicles have suffered a faulty brake system. The U.S. Honda outfit says it will replace the faulty seal and, if leaking has occurred, the brake booster will be replaced as well. At least some owners in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries are likely affected. Honda told that no stop-sale is issued.