Abstract Dynamics of a periodically excited vibro-impact system with soft impacts is investigated. Essential features of period-one multi-impact motion group and correlated transition characteristics in low-frequency range are discussed in detail by the way of two-parameter bifurcation space providing qualitative domains for different periodic motions. The main focus is given to the effect of sensitive parameters including constraint stiffness k0, clearance threshold b, and damping parameter ζ on the system response. The low-frequency characteristics in the finite-dimensional parameter space are particularly explored. It is found that the increase of k0 induces multi-type bifurcation of period-one double-impact symmetrical motion, which induces a rich variety of periodic motions, and period-one multi-impact motion group orbit primarily exist in the small-clearance b and low-frequency ω zone. Based on the evolution irreversibility of adjacent period-one multi-impact orbit, the mechanism of singularies appearing in pairs and two different transition zones (hysteresis and liguliform zones) is studied, the result of which provides a theoretical reference value for the common low-frequency vibration instability phenomenon in the field of mechanical engineering. For small-damping coefficient ζ, period-one multi-impact motion has a large quantity, and the main bridge for the transition of adjacent period-one multi-impact motion is liguliform zone, which embraces period-one multi-impact asymmetrical motion and period-n multi-impact subharmonic motion and a certain chaotic zone. For large-damping coefficient ζ, the amount of period-one multi-impact motion group is reduced, and the main bridge for the transition of adjacent period-one multi-impact motion is hysteresis zone, where adjacent period-one multi-impact orbits can coexist according to initial conditions. As designing and renovating impact mechanical equipment, the reasonable matching law of dynamic parameters can be determined through two-parameter bifurcation space, which is conducive to making the system work in stable periodic motion and obtaining larger instantaneous impact velocity.