Overview & Reviews
After a major update last year, the Honda Element returns for 2008 unchanged.
- Smooth engine, nimble handling, spacious interior, optional all-wheel drive.
- Only seats four, clamshell rear doors complicate entry/exit for rear passengers.
User Reviews:
Showing 1 through 10 of 74.00-
Excellent for two - 2008 Honda Element
By gafulham - April 21 - 10:51 amWe bought our Element used with 24k on it. Overall we are quite happy -- only real drawbacks are as follows: 1. Rear access is a total pain in the a@#! We probably drive 80% of the time with the rear seats stowed -- this would not be a great family car (our kids are grown and gone) 2. Interesting lack of amenities on a top line model - ie., no auto unlock button on passenger door, no outside temp meter, intermittent wipers have only one speed. 3. Towing capacity rating is a joke -- is Honda serious about this or are they being hyper cautious? 4. Mileage is only so-so Still, it is like a storage pod on wheels and it is fun to drive. Also great with dogs (we have 2). A good buy overall for us.
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My first SUV-easy to clean and reliable - 2008 Honda Element
By Jersey Jeff - August 25 - 3:20 pmThis 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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Elementary SUV - 2008 Honda Element
By Marco Minardo - August 9 - 10:53 pmBought 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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Second Element, Second Car bought new - 2008 Honda Element
By pepsicolacat - November 16 - 5:27 pmI own a 2005 element ex awd which has a four speed automatic. The 2008 ex awd has five speed automatic which gets better gas mileage than a five speed manual. I average 20-21 on the 05 if I drive 80 to 85mph on the freeway. I averaged 24mph on a all freeway trip averaging 90mph driving from Columbus to Dayton.
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Does the job - 2008 Honda Element
By upstatenewyorker - September 27 - 4:43 amMy 2008 Element EX AWD with 5 spd manual does all I need it to. I replaced a 04 Jetta because I wanted 4WD for the winter road conditions and I needed space to haul stuff- but did not want a pickup truck. The Element along with a lightweight aluminum trailer when needed satisfies all needs. Upon delivery from dealer, I noticed a leak of clear fluid on my garage floor... turns out it was from the rear differential, and they promptly replaced it and Ive had no problems since. Feels stable in slippery conditions, and has good power. Ive consistently averaged 25 mpg summer, 22 in winter. Smoothest manual transmission Ive ever driven.
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This is my second one - 2008 Honda Element
By Dave Perry - August 31 - 6:02 pmThis is my second Element. My first one was a 2006, same equipment, different color and traded for an S2000 which was fun while it lasted. I use my 2008 Element as a daily driver and I also sell a high-end Swedish car in my day job which I know inside and out (this will explain some of my suggestions later on). I think the Element is the perfect vehicle for me for a lot of reasons. It gets reasonable gas mileage (27 highway, 24 overall), it has reasonable power, is a blast to drive (no S2000, but what is?), is reliable as motor vehicles get, and has great ergonomics and fun to drive.
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Element #2 - 2008 Honda Element
By ghostrider78 - June 30 - 10:02 pmThis replaces my 04 Element LX and it is leaps and bounds better! The AWD was great in a hard great lakes winter even with the OEM tires. The colored body panels are a definite looks upgrade. The stereo in the EX sounds great and the steering wheel audio controls are something I wouldnt go without again. Fuel mileage is so-so and wind noise can be excessive on the highway. Overall, I love this car for the functionality and great winter handling.
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The Perfect All Around Car for Me! - 2008 Honda Element
By Lizzie - June 22 - 9:00 pmI am a manufacturers rep and drive many miles - Ive logged 67K miles in 15 months. My Element is reliable, roomy, has plenty of power on the highway, tons of room for me to carry my samples headroom to accommodate the tallest of passengers - legroom to spare this cute little SUV has it all...plus, the lack of carpet makes it so easy to keep clean - after a visit to the beach sweeping out the sand is a breeze. The best part, for me, is that its ultra easy for my two 80 lb Labradors to jump in and out of - The rear seats come out and give them a huge area. Also, the seats are washable - this is a plus when you have dogs with muddy feet or when you spill your coffee... the Element has it all!
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LOVE my new E!! - 2008 Honda Element
By juxtin - May 3 - 11:14 pmI drove several different vehicles including the tiny Fit and a luxurious CRV, but as soon as I got into the Element I knew it was the right one. The kiwi-metallic color puts a smile on my face every time I see it and it is so much fun to drive. The factory stereo BUMPS! Accelerates well enough... I dont drive too aggressively... kid seat fits with tons of room left over. I wish the rear windows rolled down. They pop open but that can be a hassle while driving. The seats are fairly comfortable. A little stiff but that helps a bad back on a long drive... good support. TONS of interior room. Feels like a real sturdy vehicle. Drove WAY better than the Pilot. Never loved a car like I love my Element!!
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Needs more interior room! - 2008 Honda Element
By hondagirl - February 26 - 7:45 pmGreat to drive...very good gas mileage for an SUV!
