The Element is a 4-door, 4-passenger sport-utility, available in 10 trims, ranging from the LX 2WD 5-Spd AT to the SC 2WD 5-Spd AT w/Navigation System.
All trims are equipped with a standard 2.4-liter, I4, 166-horsepower engine that achieves 20-mpg in the city and 25-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.
"In the urban labyrinths of the modern world, the Honda Element was an entertaining drive. In city driving, the Element was pleasantly nimble, agile and spry for being such a boxy car."
Rating Reviewed by: Retired in Bonney Lake(Unregistered User)
Review Date August 3, 2010
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for 3 Months to 1 year
Visitors rate this review 3.00 of 5,
2.00 votes
Review 1 of 142
Price Paid:
$0.00
Year / Model Reviewed: 2010 Honda Element LX 2WD 5-Spd AT
Strengths: We bought this vehicle three weeks ago and it is great. Very comfortable, our grandkids fit in the rear seats with booster seats, no problem, my 81 year old mom has no trouble getting in and out of either the front or rear seats. It gets good mileage for a combination of city/highway driving, so far about 21 mpg. I like the way the seats can be easily reconfigured. It is a Honda and as expected has a quality build and I anticipate a solid vehicle. We also have a 2009 Honda Pilot, very different vehicles, but this little Element is just a great fit for most of our driving. Very happy with it.
Weaknesses: I wish I had bought the Blue Tooth option. In today's world Blue Tooth should really be a standard feature.
Summary: Great car and it gets lots of looks and attention. Many people want to look at it and inside to see how it is laid out. We have had several neighbors and even strangers at stores ask about it. We also got the Omni Blue Pearl color which is unusual and attracts attention. We have owned a number of Hondas and have been happy with all of them and expect this vehicle will meet all our expectations.
Similar Products Used: Honda Pilot
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Strengths: Fun to drive, solid feel, versatile, comfortable on long hauls - who knew?! Tons of cargo. Legroom abound in rear. Great in the snow and wet weather. Excellent reliability, driver vision, handling.
Weaknesses: Suicide doors are impractical (very "unHonda"). Rear sliding doors would be a better substitute. Unnecessarily expensive accessories should be included at that price point since similar vehicles for thousands less get them standard. I opted for the sound-insulation undercoating for a quieter cabin experience - Honda you build great vehicles but the "inherent pronounced road noise" in all of your vehicles cheapens the perceived value of your product - "beware the South Koreans!"
Summary: I have to say that it's sometimes laughable the way Consumer Reports gauges their criteria for their product tests. The Element has always held one of the highest overall scores, in its CR category, yet CR still writes "the Element scores too low to be recommended" - don't listen to them just drive one then decide! I have had this vehicle for over a year and it is, hands down, the best all-round vehicle I have ever owned and I've owned many - everyone I know who has one thinks the same! It's a real pleasure to drive; Secure drivetrain deceivingly cavernous interior and a driver-friendly dash. With it's unconventional/funky styling and "alone in it's class image", this is not a vehicle for everyone. This is a vehicle for people who are comfortable with their individuality and don't need to be part of the herd. Having said that, it still draws more attention than expected from curious onlookers. I hope Honda will continue to improve on this "best kept secret" in the next generation; If they do I will definitely purchase another!
Similar Products Used: Nissan Xterra, Toyota RAV4, Honda CRV, Ford Escape
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Rating Reviewed by: Robert(Unregistered User)
Review Date October 2, 2008
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for Less than 1 month
Visitors rate this review 2.40 of 5,
15.00 votes
Review 3 of 142
Price Paid:
$22321.00
from Honda of Lisle
Year / Model Reviewed: 2008 ELEMENT 4WD EX
Strengths: Great ride! If you never owned a truck you may think its rough. It's a TRUCK! It will be but this is sweet. U turns and parking are a snap! Head room, Head room, Head room!! Great engine.4WD when I need it! 7 speaker 270 watt stereo. Seats in rear fold up and off the floor or come out! 75 cubes of space. Looks sharp! I have seen people look long and hard at the truck! View out the windows are great! You park and you can see over the roof of the car next to you. Nice and high!
Weaknesses: Wiper needs delay for rear. More delay selection for the front wipers. Would be cool if front seat could fold forward when people get in. Roller shade for skylight. Instant MPG readout, Individual tire pressure on read out and Average MPG selection on display. (saw it on the HHR and liked it)
Summary: This is the best thing I could have purchased! I have a f150 that is 12 years old and what a change! I'm a personal chef in the Chicago area and this fits the bill for my all my needs! That 2.4 has the right power and the cabin is massive. I'm a big guy 6'4" 350+ and I fit!! I was looking at the Chevy HHR but forget it. I can't wait to drive it in the winter!
Similar Products Used: HHR has 57 cubes of space. My F150 is still great to have if I need it!
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Strengths: Solid construction, safety, visibility, ease of entry and exit. Fun to drive,we put on over 10,000 trouble free miles in three months, and we both love driving it.
Weaknesses: Sun visors do not reach out far enough nor do they have extensions so they are of no value in blocking the sun if it strikes the side of the vehicle. We put up removable plastic film to correct and plan on having the side window tinted in the future. The head restrains are positioned to far forward in that they force ones head forward and down when the
seat is in the perpendicular postion. Only way to get away from this is to either turn the head rest backwards or slant the seat which is then not condusive to long drives do to inproper seating position. A Honda design flaw that should have been caught when designing. The vehicle could use more hooks and storage locations. Factor options are priced too high, need to go to aftermarket for items as trailer hitches, fog lights, etc.
Summary: Great utitility vehicle. Comfortable, fun to drive, great visibility, decent gas mileage, 20- 21 city and 24-27 highway.
Easy to clean inside, seats easy and fast to convert for hauling, everything form, bikes, furniture, lawn clipings, etc. Well thought out vehicle for practical needs.
Similar Products Used: We tried out the competitions offerings, but because of the versitility, comfort and features in this vehicle meeting our transportation and hauling needs it was a no brainer in selecting the Element.
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Strengths: Versatility, manuverability, comfort, visability, 5 speed auto transmission, low rpms at highway speeds, reasonable gas milage, sound system.
Weaknesses: Rated for 1500 lbs towning capacity, sunroof does not have built-in cover(what's up with that?), rear seat rated for only 2 people, not enough storage.
Summary: I love this little suv!!! I am in my 60's and this is by far the most useful and enjoyable rig so far. It is used every day as a commuter vehicle and it is comfortable, economical, and a joy to drive. I have read other reviews that say it is none of these things and I wonder if they are talking about an Element or just blowing smoke. There is a huge amount of room im a very small package. Talk about versatility; carry grandkids, lumber, bulky items, camping stuff, bikes, and so on. Seats up, seats down, or seats out. Drive on the beach (tires at 15 psi) or through the snow with ease. Easy to drive, I find changing lanes safe because of the higher seating and excellent visiblity. The Ellie turns on a dime. Cruises the freeway at 75 and parks in the tightest of spaces. Whats not to like? It is not a perfect vehicle but suits me fine. Has a great sound system and I am hooked on the satellite radio. It does have a bit of road noise (not more than other cars I have been in) so we purchased a carpet kit that really dampened the noise and looks great. The bare floors are an advantage to some but not for us. Good grief, this sounds like a commercial but it's not. I really appreciate this car. Gas milage varies from 23 mpg to 27 mpg depending on how aggressive I feel. The clamshell doors are a great benefit most of the time. The little floor consol is useless so we purchased an armrest-high consol with mounted cup holders which should be made standard.
Similar Products Used: Plymouth voyager, Subaru Legacy, Ford F150 conversion van, Honda Civic
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