Overview & Reviews

Sold from 2003-'11, the Honda Element compact crossover SUV remains one of the most distinctive and practical vehicles on the road. Happy Element owners are often city dwellers who appreciate both its small size and generous 75-cubic-foot maximum cargo capacity. Another notable element about the Element is the ability of its access-style rear doors to pivot backward a full 90 degrees, providing unimpeded access to the roomy and creatively configurable rear seats.

A used Element of any vintage is easy to recommend thanks to its functional interior, smooth four-cylinder engine and carlike handling, not to mention Honda's reputation for reliability. That said, it's worthwhile to focus your search on 2007 and newer models, as they offer a bit more power and enhanced safety features.

User Reviews:

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  A great used car to buy - 2007 Honda Element
  By "D" - September 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought My 07 Honda Element. It has 63,000 miles on her but it drives like a brand new car. I was gonna purchased a Saturn Vue but it was promised to another buyer. It was a stroke of luck the dealer had the Element available. Yes it is a bit bouncy but I was very impressed with everything on the Element. Even being 3 almost 4 years old it was turning heads, I got the silver S C. A very handsome and very practical car. If you are looking for a Cadillac ride you wont like it. If you are looking for a great fun to drive practical people and property hauler look at the Elements. As far as the interior it is either a like or dislike. The triple design to me is a nice touch. Get one !

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  My first SUV-easy to clean and reliable - 2008 Honda Element
  By Jersey Jeff - August 25 - 3:20 pm

  This was our first SUV and having a messy child and a dog in our family, the Element is a breeze to clean and to haul stuff, especially with the rear seats up. The interior is roomier than you think. Ride quality is rather spartan but not unexpected and the engine could use a little more hp. Gas mileage is lousy, Im hoping for a hybrid version. I am 62" and find the drivers seat belt to be very uncomfortable on my neck. We have owned this car for 2 years and it has been the most reliable car we have ever driven. Quality seems to be excellent on our Element!

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  In my Element - 2003 Honda Element
  By In my Element - August 15 - 2:21 pm

  I purchased the Element new in 2003. It was easily the ugliest vehicle I had ever seen, but after one test drive (on a dare) I bought it. Best car Ive ever owned.

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  Great Car - 2006 Honda Element
  By hapkiman40 - August 11 - 5:10 pm

  I bought this car pre-owned with 36k. Currently we have 70+K and have had no problems. Ive read some of the entries with lower ratings and I have not had any of the issues that others have had. One person even mentioned that this car is not for those in northern climates. I could not disagree more. I live in an area that receives 119 inches of snow/year. My Element has been flawless and I tend to be hard on my vehicles. I would recommend this car to anyone.

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  A fantastic car for a narrow segment - 2010 Honda Element
  By tictoknsac - August 10 - 10:23 pm

  The Element is a fantastic car for a very specific segment of car owners. If you want a car that can haul an incredible amount size-wise and, has AWD to go skiing and, gets decent gas mileage for commuting and, is large in terms of driver and passenger seating/comfort (4 max) and is incredibly reliable AND you can appreciate its boxy shape as a necessary attribute of much of the above for < $25K - THEN you can/will love this car. Otherwise, you either will not be interested at all -- OR you point out all the cars that will do SOME of these things better. But you wont find a car that does ALL these things better. This is my 2nd Element and I could not think of another car I wanted.

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  Elementary SUV - 2008 Honda Element
  By Marco Minardo - August 9 - 10:53 pm

  Bought used with 30K miles. This Honda is an extremely thirsty little SUV. In town I never got better than 20 mpg, 25 mpg on the interstate at 75/78 mph without AC was achievable with Super Unleaded Fuel, otherwise 23 mpg was more the norm for such an underpowered 4 cyl. engine that otherwise is very smooth and torquey at the bottom. The transmission gearing was poor as well, shifting hard and constantly between 4th and 5th back and forth at highway speeds. The no carpet floor would be a great idea if it were rubber and not that hard slippery plastic. Horrible with bugs and rocks on the windshield as well as wind noise. Worst Honda I ever owned in terms of poor performance and fuel economy.

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  One of my favorites! - 2007 Honda Element
  By jharris09 - July 23 - 2:05 pm

  The element lacks in features such as auto headlights, USB, power seats, sunroof, etc. The gas mileage is less than you would expect from a Honda. In all honesty I could care less about that. I absolutely love this car. Even those who give this thing lower ratings rarely cite any real material issues such as engine or transmission issues. The stereo is great for a factory set up. This is absolutely one of my favorite purchases.

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  I call my 2005 red Element "Flame" - 2005 Honda Element
  By Adrian in Dallas - July 22 - 11:43 am

  The only color I wanted when I saw it in the Honda Element palette selection was what they call "Rallye Red." Its a beautiful, clear, bright red thats a knockout. The drab orange and the even more drab olive color that you see all over are not for me. (This review is sounding like a "Click & Clack" radio show where the first question they ask those with car problems is "What color is it?") IN ANY EVENT: This car is the best thing Ive ever owned. I was born in Detroit and just turned 65, so thats saying something! Its solid as the brick it looks like, actually FUN to drive, has great head room and is E-Z to get in to and out of. I ordered it with every bell & whistle Honda offered.

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  Poor customer service/backseat danger - 2004 Honda Element
  By Gwendolyn - July 20 - 8:25 am

  Wrote Honda that backseats do not lock, will not take child car seats, very dangerous, was like this when we bought it but did not know as we did not use the back seats until our granddaughter was born 2rs ago when we tried to install her car seat, discovered locks do not lock, never did since purchase. Local dealer said cost would be over $700. Wrote national Honda. Got uncaring follow-up phone call, they hung up when I explained this was NOT about a part under warranty needing repair, but a life threatening problem existing since purchase. We cannot take passengers/children in backseats ever--a huge flaw. But worse was lack of concern by Honda. Probably my last Honda. Safety matters most.

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  What a car! - 2010 Honda Element
  By Ed May - July 11 - 1:10 am

  I just traded in my 2003 Element on a 2010 Element. I have owned dozens of cars and trucks before, but the Element is the best. The 2003 Element had 136,000 miles on it, no repairs for the first 130,000 miles.