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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  Element - 2004 Honda Element
  By bharvey67 - April 3 - 2:00 am

  If you can get past the styling, which grows on you after a while, the Element is a very functional car that will give you years of trouble free driving. The utility of the vehicle is outstanding. The "suicide doors" and the clamshell rear hatch are great selling points to the vehicle. The plastic floor may be great for some people who have pets, but if you dont Id suggest the carpeted floor mats that the dealer offers as an accessory. Dont be fooled by the 4 cylinder engine. It has more pickup than a lot of 6 cylinders Ive driven. Remember, the Element only seats 4 people so if you have a big family the Element may not be for you.

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  Great Ride - 2003 Honda Element
  By sbodi4d - February 25 - 2:00 am

  Love this car. Will buy another one when my truck needs replacing. Maybe Honda will add more horsepower later in the production. Power is actually good, but it would be even more fun with more horses.

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  Better than a MiniVan - 2003 Honda Element
  By JKrajovan - February 25 - 2:00 am

  My wife wanted a minivan because she kept hitting her head or the babys head while getting into a Civic sedan. She saw how convenient the sliding doors are on them. I didnt want a minivan, so I showed her the Element. Perfect! Its easy to get in and out of with a baby. Its child proof! Its roomy! It looks great in black! Its also very stable and picks it nose up in the twisties, instead of diving its nose. Great trucklet!

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  Excellent alternative to an all-out-SUV - 2003 Honda Element
  By Lawrance - February 12 - 12:56 pm

  Ive had my E for about 2.5 years now and havent had any problems worth taking to the dealer for. The drivers seat needs new bushings to keep it from shifting, and every 10 minutes or so, the headlights go dim for a second before returning to normal. Both of these items are inherent to the 2003 model. The cabin does have some wind noise, and the suspension is rather jarring. Otherwise, this vehicle has been 100% reliable. It has a very tight turning circle, and is very fun to drive. The lack of carpeting makes for easy cleaning and the seat configurations make it one of the most versatile vehicles on the road. I usually get 21 MPG on average. Wish Honda made an upscale version.

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  What is this ugly thing - 2004 Honda Element
  By Motomr - February 8 - 10:00 am

  Its ugly but I like the stares. It is dependalbe as all get out and has more room for the passengers than I have ever seen in a vehicle. Havent drove in the indiana snow yet so who knows about that. Good get up and go but wish it got a little better gas mileage. If you can take the ribbing by your buddies, its a good little car/suv/truck/van/whatever and I like mine so far.

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  Element after 43,000 Miles - 2005 Honda Element
  By Paul Christie - January 31 - 10:40 pm

  I love my Element except for one nagging problem. My doors have a bad rattle in them that causes everyone who rides in it to think they arent closed completely. I took it to the dealer while it was still under warrenty to have it fixed and they had to replace the door latches. The rattles continued. I will probably take it back again. A coworker has an Element and she says she has the same problem.

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  Windshield concerns - 2005 Honda Element
  By Vick - January 9 - 8:53 pm

  The only complaint is that in less than 18 months and more than 30,000 miles of ownership I have experienced THREE windshield cracks from pebbles hitting my windshield. I emphasize pebbles! These were not even what I would classify as small rocks. Two fractures were repairable at $50 each but the third one was a major fracture that could not be repaired and required the windshield be replaced. This has made me seriously consider trading this vehicle in for something else.

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  1 Yr Honda Element Ownership - 2006 Honda Element
  By lightcollector - January 8 - 12:44 pm

  I purchased a 2006 Element in Jan. 2006. I traded it in at the end of Dec. 2006. I bought it for big interior space and good fuel economy. How these folks can give this suv a 9-10 rating is beyond me. They must have great stereos. Engine: Fine on flat roads, uphill a struggle. Trans: Shifts smooth except uphill. Windnoise: Moderate. Roadnoise: High. Fuel Economy (Note: 2WD Auto): When I got the car average 24-25, City 23 Freeway 21. By the time I unloaded it 20-21 average, City 17-18, Hwy 19-20. Rattles: Lots. As I fixed 1 another one arrived. Body Panels: Horrible seam alignment. Ride Quality: Civic grade. Cheap. Body Sway: Enough to want to barf. Honda Service: Utter GARBAGE. Overpriced.

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  Value and Style - 2007 Honda Element
  By Trent - December 13 - 1:13 pm

  Just got my Element last week after going in to drive the CR-V. While the CRV is nicer and more refined than previous years, there is just no room for my toys and gear. The Element started to be more attractive from a pure cost of ownership standpoint, as I was looking at leasing a more expensive vehicle originally, but I could purchase the Element for the roughly the same monthly payment. I drove both the SC and standard model, and love the handling of the SC and the unique interior trim points. Ill miss 4WD, but love the wider tires and improved headlight/front end look. I drove it in snow/ice 2 days after purchasing, and although I was a bit tense without 4WD there, it was good.

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  Fun - 2007 Honda Element
  By Tom - December 4 - 9:52 am

  The suspension is a little stiff but I got used to it. Havent enjoyed driving a vehicle this much since my VW van in the early 70s.