Honda Life First generation
Honda Life (First generation) was built from 1971 to 1974, as a 2/4-door sedan (SA); 3-door hatchback (Van/Wagon, VA/WA). Powertrain: 356 cc EA Straight-twin engine. Layout: Front-engine, front-wheel-drive. Size: 2,995 x 1,295 mm (L x W). Weight: 480 - 540 kg.
Composed from the specifications below, so it states nothing the specs do not. The picture illustrates the body shape, not this car; a photograph is added when a licence-safe one exists.
Overview
The original Life range was offered as a two-door or four-door sedan and in a three-door wagon model (also sold as a commercial van), replacing the Honda NIII360. Compared with the previous Honda minicar series, passenger comfort was improved to make this a better family car - indeed, Honda's target was to make a kei which was as habitable as a period 1-litre car. The wheelbase, at 2080 mm, was eight cm longer than that of the predecessor. The entire Life range had a water-cooled Honda EA 356 cc engine, usually producing 30 PS at 8,000 rpm. which began as the air-cooled engine borrowed from the Honda CB450 motorcycle. The top speed of the sedan is 105 km/h.
Source: the English Wikipedia article on this model, CC BY-SA 4.0. Text may be shortened; read the full article for the complete text.
Not yet sourced for this model. Used prices swing with year, mileage, grade and country, so we publish a market range only when it comes with a named source and a date, and never an estimate. For a live figure, use the landed-cost tool with the price on the auction sheet.
Against the other van / MPV models in this database (40 with this body type). Computed from the dimensions in the specifications, so it changes as the database grows.
- 400 mm below the median of 3,395 mm, and shorter than 97% of the 38 other van / MPV models in this database.
- 180 mm below the median of 1,475 mm, and narrower than 97% of the 38 other van / MPV models in this database.
- 280 mm below the median of 2,360 mm, and shorter than 84% of the 38 other van / MPV models in this database.
Who it suits
- Families, groups and shuttle work: the people-carrier body is built around seating and access.
- Executive and chauffeur use: the saloon body prioritises rear-seat comfort and a quiet cabin.
- City and mixed driving: hatchbacks are compact outside and flexible inside.
Check before you buy
- Inspect for corrosion at sills, floor, subframes and suspension mounts, and replace perishable rubber (hoses, bushes, boots) at import.
- Read the auction sheet grade and notes, and verify the odometer against service and inspection records. How to read an auction sheet
- Run a history check (accidents, flood, mileage) before you bid. History check guide
- Import age rules: this generation already qualifies in United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia. Confirm the rule for your exact vehicle with customs before buying. Landed-cost calculator
General guidance for this type of vehicle, worked out from its body, powertrain and age. It is not a finding about this particular model; use an inspection and the auction sheet for the car you are actually buying.
Worked out from this generation's production years and each country's age rule. Rules also depend on vehicle type and the month of manufacture, so confirm with customs before you buy.
Other generations of the Life
- Step Van/Pickup (VA/PA) · 1972-1974; Pick-up: 1973-1974
- Second generation · 1997-1998
- Third generation · 1998-2003
- Fourth generation · 2003 - 2008
- Fifth generation · 2008-2014
More from Honda · all Honda models
- N-Box (Third generation) · 2023-present
- N-One (Second generation) · 2020 - present; 2026 - present (Super-One)
- N-WGN (Second generation) · 2019 - present
- N-Van · 2018-present
- S660 · 2015 - 2022
- Zest · 2006-2012
Can I import a Honda Life (First generation) from Japan?
By production year alone, Honda Life (First generation) is inside the age window for United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia. Rules depend on vehicle type and the month of manufacture, so confirm with customs before you buy.
What powers the Honda Life (First generation)?
Per its encyclopedia infobox, engine: 356 cc EA Straight-twin engine.
How big is the Honda Life (First generation)?
2,995 mm long and 1,295 mm wide, on a 2,080 mm wheelbase (2/4-door sedan (SA); 3-door hatchback (Van/Wagon, VA/WA)). For container loading, use the container packer.
Answered from this page's own data, not from outside claims. See the sources below.
- en.wikipedia.org (retrieved 2026-10-19)
Confidence: single-source (Wikipedia infobox). Specifications differ by market, trim and model year; the auction sheet or the vehicle's registration document is the final word on a particular car.
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