[Honda Legend test drive] Fine control that supports gentle driving ... Nanao Shimazaki

The head-up display visualizes and conveys the system operation of "SH-AWD" one after another. The actual execution of control may be more detailed than the display, but the drive supported by advanced knowledge and technology is the "high-tech saloon first" than the predecessor.

However, I don't feel like I'm on a technology-oriented machine. This is because comfortable drivability is ensured as a gentle flagship model. Surprisingly, what is more impressive than high-tech is the effective work of the amplitude-sensitive damper. It is good that the "nothing" is accurate and the low-grade angular shock is not transmitted (it is even better if the four legs are coordinated to realize a flat ride on a swelling road surface). On the other hand, the stability of cornering that does not disturb the decided line is due to torque vectoring.

The unique switch shift operation has a single function assigned to each button, so you can easily get used to it. As much as the situation allows, the motor turns the rear wheels and starts quietly. The 3.5-liter V6 engine, which also uses cylinder deactivation, allows the motor to take over the work from time to time while achieving a comfortable ride. The feeling that the engine "enters" while driving is also soft and fluffy. In this test drive, we were able to confirm fuel efficiency of about 14.5km / liter including high-speed cruising.

I listened to the high-quality sound of KRELL's audio, which is rich but not too strong and comfortable, which is similar to high-end audio at home. While driving, the message displayed on the multi-information display on the multi-information display has a pattern of well over 100, and gives accurate warnings and instructions.

The sunshade for the rear door glass has a mechanism that when the main part is operated manually, the shade of the triangular window part also protrudes in conjunction with it, so only one operation is required. Although the trunk is an HV, it has a reasonable capacity for saloons of this class. The ample seat size and comfortable sitting posture of the rear seats are also attractive.

■ 5 star rating Packaging: ★★★★★ Interior / livability: ★★★★★ Power source: ★★★★★ Footwork: ★★★★ Recommendation: ★★★★★

Nanao Shimazaki | AJAJ member / motor journalist Born in Tokyo in 1958. After graduating from college, he worked for an editing and production company for over nine years. After he experienced editing / writing / shooting of magazines and books, he started working as a freelancer in 1991. Since then, he has been writing in automobile magazines and on the web, and continues to this day. Although he calls himself a journalist for convenience, he takes a stance of interacting with and reporting on the car from the perspective of a general user.