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:

• 

  Love It - 2007 Honda Element
  By KimO - July 31 - 10:39 pm

  We just bought our Element after many hours reviewing the vehicle. So far it has been a lot of fun for our family to drive. We wish the gas mileage was better but we are looking into that. It is just a great car and everyone loves it. We did have to put two baby sun shades side by side over the skylight, works great.

• 

  My experiences over five years - 2003 Honda Element
  By JoeB - July 28 - 9:19 am

  I have a 2003 AWD Element, bought new in 03. In my rural real estate practice, I go absolutely everywhere, and in all kind of conditions. (The Pittsburgh end of Pennsylvania is very hilly!). I have taken it through farmer fields in knee-to-waist-high grass and weeds in showing land. I also have five years experience in all kinds of winter weather, often driving on ice and up to ten inches or so of snow. (The experiences I could tell you!). I usually use an aggressive tread all- weather tire in the winter, or sometimes a mud & snow. I dont particularly overload my Element with heavy "stuff" in the rear, although I do keep lots of real estate stuff back there (for fixing "for sale" signs).

• 

  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.

• 

  Love it, but it fails for reliability - 2005 Honda Element
  By JZZDNCR - July 7 - 6:52 am

  I have a 2005 well maintained and cared for Honda Element. Its my favorite all time car...that is until now. Its a manual transmission just over 50,000 mi and its popping out of gears. Im being told that I need a new transmission! Can this be? I bought this car new because after being a long time Volkswagon owner I decided I wanted a RELIABLE car. Its out of warranty, Im out of work, and a new transmission will put me under. Reliability=Bad

• 

  My Boxers Love it! - 2004 Honda Element
  By Boxers2 - July 6 - 10:00 am

  Purchased my galapogas green E in Jan, and dont have a bad word to say about it. My previous car was a Volvo X-C wagon, which was expensive to maintain and lacked adequate cargo capacity. I bought the E because I need a vehicle that can hold two large dog crates, all my obedience equipment, AWD or 4WD, decent gas mileage, and a reputation for reliability. None of the mid size SUVs can accommodate my dog crates, because of the wheel wells. The awd works wonderfully- driven in snow and muddy fields and frankly found it handled much better than my old Volvo.

• 

  Step in the right direction - 2004 Honda Element
  By BeachBabe - July 6 - 10:00 am

  Fun and practical! Should be ideal as a college grad car! New owner, so havent had enough time to be able to review the car thoroughly. What sold me was when a friend who owned on said his Element was every bit as good as his Mercedes SUV for half the price!

• 

  WISH I HAD GOTTEN SIDE AIR BAGS - 2004 Honda Element
  By malscorky - July 6 - 10:00 am

  Love my Element. Only wish I had gotten side air bags. The new crash tests have scared me. I may have to trade it in for something else. For future buyers of this vehicle get side air bags and do yourself a favor. The element has plenty of room, comfort in side, great in the snow. Great auto for the money.

• 

  Small car, big interior - 2005 Honda Element
  By Graverober - July 5 - 9:13 am

  OK, everyone who has seen my car cant believe that I bought such a small wierd car. Let me tell you, the element only looks small! I am over 61" tall and over 300 pounds, Im a big boy! I have over 5 in of head room to the roof, and can streach my legs out fully (sliding up just a bit on the seat, but I still cant do that in most cars). Even in the back I have headroom and a fir amount of leg room. The clam shell doors and smooth floor are actualy a benifit for semi-disabled people. my dad is handycaped, but happily sits in the back of my car. he has pleanty of room, and when he needs to get out, he just plops (his words) onto the floor and slides out, he realy loves it!

• 

  Great Car - 2009 Honda Element
  By BobMac3 - July 2 - 9:58 pm

  Ive always had Subarus but have found the maintenance costly in the last several years so Ive switched to a Honda Element LX. Ive only had it a day but love it already. The process of buying was very easy. There arent many used or new Es in my area of Concord, NH and Im looking forward to a long relationship. I thought the sunroof was impractical because it was in the rear where my Belgian Sheepdogs ride and it made the area too hot plus without the sunroof it was better insulated and quieter.

• 

  Element #2 - 2008 Honda Element
  By ghostrider78 - June 30 - 10:02 pm

  This 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.