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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  Great Vehicle/ Interior Scratches Easily - 2004 Honda Element
  By jkemrick - June 19 - 10:00 am

  Our Element is wonderful. Its fun to drive, its roomy and it gets a lot of compliments. Our 5 dogs love it! However, considering it is advertised as a rugged vehicle designed to carry all sorts of gear, the interior scratches way too easily - including the dashboard area that the dogs dont have access to.

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  Fun to Drive - 2005 Honda Element
  By aggieweather - June 18 - 5:00 am

  Although I just bought a Honda Element it has been a joy to own. It is so much fun to drive and handles suprisingly well for being a SUV. It is so easy for dog owners to get in a clean all the hair, and much more fun for our dogs to run around the back with the seats up. Great Vehicle.

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  Baby Hummer? Is what we are asked... - 2003 Honda Element
  By Ransome - June 5 - 10:00 am

  It was love at first sight when I saw this car sitting in a mall on display!!! When test driving the automatic we did note that the car was sluggish. When we drove the manual transmission it moved like a sports car. I am a 511" female with tall (still growing kids)so the roominess is great! Having pets and sodas is no problem with NO carpet! And, I loved dressing it up with the options I chose, rather than were chosen for me!!! One drawback is that when you have kids who have to still sit in the backseat (because of age) and have to enter from the passengers side, it is a chore to get those doors closed. This car is definitely more driver friendly.

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  EXCELLENT! - 2003 Honda Element
  By Jennifer-AR - June 5 - 10:00 am

  So much fun. Love it!

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  Traded Mercedes - 2003 Honda Element
  By CTAPYXA - May 31 - 10:00 am

  In January, I saw the Element and asked to load my work gear in it. No problem with the salesman. 10 minutes later I was trading my 2001 ML-320 in for the Element. I have 22k miles on it since February. Just regular oil changes. There was an A/C hose that broke, but the dealer fixed it in a snap while I was on the road in Minnesota. I throw my bikes in the back, I haul dirt, mulch, picked up a new couch, palm plants, kids, boxes, gone to the beach. Its not an SUV its a UV. I dont care about the plastic scratching or breaking and there is no leather or upholstery to worry about. I love the price/reliability.

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  The perfect car!! - 2003 Honda Element
  By Gaute - May 31 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I found this vehicle to fit our every need. With its low price tag, AWD, brilliant interior design, good milage, and excellent reliability. If you only need four seats, its the way to go!!

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  The Best Car I Ever Have Had! - 2005 Honda Element
  By Donette - May 27 - 2:20 pm

  L-O-V-E it! This is the best car yet for me...It is great to load my hockey gear - My dogs love the seats down and they cruise the whole car. Next trip camping - looking for to it - I still get some strange looks - but you just gotta smile - cause it is so fun to drive. Anytime someone wants to check it out stranger or not - I let them! I should be selling these cars-

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  Function, Fun, Turns Heads! - 2005 Honda Element
  By baddawg - May 25 - 8:13 am

  Purchased EX ltd ed last summer - great function (holds 8ft lumber), very functional and convenient entry rear and front, seating OK, great flexibility. Good driving - sufficient power, Excellent saftey features, many convenience items Std., sound system VG. Suburban (40mph) and highway (60- 70 mph) mileage a bit disappointing, but it is an SUV. Well engineered and built. No regrets, zero initial problems!

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  marco - 2003 Honda Element
  By DEmarco - May 25 - 2:00 am

  good its a good car or truck or suv whatever you want to call it.

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  Short Term Impressions - 2006 Honda Element
  By Mobius - May 18 - 7:50 pm

  Ive had the car for about two weeks, but so far it has met or exceeded all expectations. It is very peppy around town, and has no problem on the interstate. I am a large man (300+ lbs) and feel very comfortable driving this vehicle, the rear seat roominess is truly outstanding. As I said I am large, but my friend "Bob" is truly enormous at 66" and over 425 lbs. And even he has no difficulty riding in the front passenger seat. Yes it is that roomy.