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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  2008 Honda Element EX automatic bought new - 2008 Honda Element
  By caged - March 7 - 1:17 pm

  I owned four Hondas before I bought the Element and like them all. The Hondas I owned were two Accords and two CRXs. The Element has too many blind spots, the clam-shell doors begin to squeak and rattle after a while, they blow around on the road when its windy, fuel economy is not that great and when facing a head wind decreases even more. The windshield pillars are large enough to easily hide a mini van and even a school bus depending on position. Vision to the sides and rear suffer the same. I took it on several long distance trips and it proved to be not comfortable. It pitches and yaws enough to make you feel motion sickness. I eventually traded it for another Accord.

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  Ugly as heck, but very reliable - 2008 Honda Element
  By jwilly3 - December 27 - 8:40 pm

  I purchased this car for my wife back in 2008. She was not good about cleaning her car, so something like this (no carpet or frills) was better for her. I ended up with is 2 years later because it gets a little bit better gas mileage then our full size Chevy Crew Cab with a V8. Real poor gas mileage for a 4 cylinder 22-24 MPG, and I am on the hwy most of the time. I would not buy another one, but it is real good to haul bicycles around in fact, I have put 4 bikes in the back with the seats up. The thing is built like a tank, and like I said, very reliable. I now have 114,000 miles on it, and it runs like a top...An ugly one!

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  Overrated - 2011 Honda Element
  By ahjah9 - July 5 - 9:29 am

  Bought a used 2011 last yr and had it for a few months. Pros: Easy to clean, esp vinyl flooring, which is a must w/dogs. Able to remove back seats for more room. Consistent 25 mpg. Cons: No telescopic steering wheel, hard, uncomfortable seats, other than power windows/locks, there was nothing updated. Suicide doors were horrible, as were vent windows. How this vehicle was aimed for dogs is beyond me. It should have been 4 doors, all windows could fully open even the back one. Sluggish and the place to charge a phone was also at a inconvenient area.

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  Only for the Lonely/Adventurist Person - 2003 Honda Element
  By kingkorvo - May 7 - 10:21 pm

  When I purchased my Honda Element, I was enchanted with the uniqueness of the ride: it was a truck, SUV, and small car mixed altogether and it can get you where you want to go. Its a great ride for someone who doesnt have kids and likes the great versalitity of a crossover vechile. To Pros: 1) Its a Honda its gonna retain value 2) Weather conditions/ off road- handles great 3) Plenty interior space could live out of it 4) Crosscountry trips made easy The Cons: 1) Its only a 4 seater 2) Arm rest only for driver seat 3) A/C control of cabin is hard because of size 4) Anything on the floor rolls up to the front because of stadium seating 5) Gas mileage runs 19/22 One mancar!

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  Buyer Beware! - 2011 Honda Element
  By mmhblg - February 5 - 1:02 pm

  Our Element is less than two months old. It has failed now to start twice in the morning. The first time the dealer determined that a faulty window switch was the cause. The dealer was unable to identify the cause of the most recent failure and could offer nothing more than a suggestion that we bring the car back in should the problem happen again - although they were unclear what additional steps they could take at that point. We currently regret the purchase. We had hoped to use this vehicle as our main car for out of town trips but now are not confident driving away from town should the vehicle leave us stranded. Not willing to take that chance from a safety perspective.

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  Avoid this SUV like the plague! - 2004 Honda Element
  By buffalogirl - November 24 - 2:00 am

  Very reliable driving always starts even when its -20. Not too aerodynamic because of boxy shape, so when youre driving in high wind, hard to control & you feel it! Rough riding, only fits 4 people because of cup holders between 2 back bucket seats. Terrible MPG we only got about 20m., hwy. Drivers side airbag deployed while it was parked no collision or impact, apparently a common problem in Elements that Honda wont fix! Very costly! Seat also are already splitting at seams on Drivers side. On our 3rd windshield.

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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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  Honda Price, not Honda Quality - 2006 Honda Element
  By mccarthybp - July 20 - 11:25 am

  Although this cars handles very well in winter weather, the brake pads, rotors, and calipers dont hold up. Do not buy this car if you live in the northern US or Canada. All components of the brakes have rusted out, warped, seized, within 32k. Thats not Honda quality. In addition, the dealership labels all of these design flaws as normal. If you have the extra money, but a Toyota. If you dont, buy something else.

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  Element Radiators - 2003 Honda Element
  By dandy4650 - June 16 - 10:00 am

  Beware - there is no protection for the radiator! Mines already been bashed by road hazards!

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  The Element is just OK - 2005 Honda Element
  By rubio1010 - June 16 - 7:35 am

  I bought this car for my dogs. I bought it for all of my activities. Its just OK. Driving is fine, not fun, just fine. Take every turn slowly as stuff slides back and forth over the entire plastic interior easily. This is not a "Dog Car." The rocking back and forth and sliding makes them car sick. Cleaning is not nearly as easy as it sounds. "Hosing it out" is not an option. Comfort? On short drives, less than 100 miles, its ok. Anything longer and the plastic seats get stiff and sticky. Ive had two windshields replaced from highway pebbles. Thats annoying. The two reverse doors are awkward for passengers in the rear, and getting in and out of the back seats is very awkward.