Honda Life Third generation
Honda Life (Third generation) was built from 1998 to 2003, as a 5–door hatchback. Powertrain: 656 cc E07Z SOHC I3; 656 cc E07Z SOHC turbo I3. Layout: Front-engine, front-wheel-drive; Front-engine, four-wheel-drive. Size: 3,395 x 1,475 x 1,610 mm (L x W x H). Weight: 880 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
Responding to new legislation, the 1998 model (JB1) was bigger than its short-lived second generation counterpart, in length as well as width. The car kept the same side panels, but the sheetmetal in between and the windshields were new, to take full advantage of the added available width. The added length came in the form of larger bumpers, including projections at the front. It was introduced on 8 October 1998, with sales beginning the following day. As the legal standard for kei cars was revised, the body was lengthened to 3395 mm and the width increased to 1475 mm, which allowed for improvements in collision safety performance.
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 hatchback models in this database (76 with this body type). Computed from the dimensions in the specifications, so it changes as the database grows.
- about the same as the median of 3,395 mm, and shorter than 71% of the 70 other hatchback models in this database.
- about the same as the median of 1,475 mm, and narrower than 74% of the 70 other hatchback models in this database.
- 80 mm above the median of 1,530 mm, and taller than 64% of the 44 other hatchback models in this database.
- about the same as the median of 2,390 mm, and shorter than 76% of the 66 other hatchback models in this database.
Who it suits
- City and mixed driving: hatchbacks are compact outside and flexible inside.
Check before you buy
- Ask for service records: turbocharged engines are sensitive to oil changes and cool-down habits.
- Test the four-wheel-drive system (transfer case, differentials) and look for uneven tyre wear.
- 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
- First generation · 1971-1974
- Step Van/Pickup (VA/PA) · 1972-1974; Pick-up: 1973-1974
- Second generation · 1997-1998
- 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 (Third generation) from Japan?
By production year alone, Honda Life (Third 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 (Third generation)?
Per its encyclopedia infobox, engine: 656 cc E07Z SOHC I3; 656 cc E07Z SOHC turbo I3.
How big is the Honda Life (Third generation)?
3,395 mm long and 1,475 mm wide and 1,610 mm tall, on a 2,360 mm wheelbase (5–door hatchback). 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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