| Acura Legend | |
|---|---|
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Honda |
| Also called | Honda Legend |
| Production | 1985–1995 |
| Assembly | Saitama, Japan |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | mid-size luxury car |
| Body style | 2-door coupe 4-door sedan |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Acura RL Acura CL (Coupe) |
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. The 3.5RL was the North American version of the KA9 series Honda Legend.
The opportunity for Japanese manufacturers to export more expensive models had arisen with the 1980s voluntary export restraints, negotiated by the Japanese government and U.S. trade representatives, restricting mainstream car sales.[1] The initial success of the Legend and Honda's Acura division in competing against established European and American luxury manufacturers would lead to Toyota and Nissan creating the Lexus and Infiniti brands, respectively, to compete in the luxury car market.
- ^ Dawson 2004, pp. xix, 28