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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  Does Everything I Want! - 2004 Honda Element
  By Kat.K. - April 28 - 5:21 pm

  Dont care that its a "box on wheels". This vehicle has been entirely functional and reliable since the day I bought it new. Hondas maintenance schedule is spartan. Get your oil changed and keep on truckin. I use it for my odd jobs around the village (painter, interior decorating, etc, with ladder!). The interior is virtually indestructable. I cant count how many times Ive had the back seats either layed flat, flipped up against the side walls, or completely taken out. Many a bag of mulch, dirt, or flats of flowers have made their way home in this fashion. Very well made, very decent gas mileage. Turns and parks on a dime. You oughta see the cool cabana tent accessory also.

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  Who says theyre for Gen X-ers only!? - 2004 Honda Element
  By PhilipNTx - April 28 - 2:00 am

  I needed a car with better mileage that could still haul stuff if needed. Enter Element. Its engine is quite spry and handles the job more than adequately. It runs so quietly. At 80mph its almost silent. The inside is sparse, but thats fine by me. No center console, I assume because the subwoofer would be blasting onto it if there was one. This makes for no place to store small items, especially CDs. Otherwise the interior is quite functional. One problem with the side doors: If you park in a lot with a car on either side and you have to access the back seats, its quite difficult to open the front and back doors while standing between the two.

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  its ok - 2004 Honda Element
  By wood - April 28 - 2:00 am

  The only small suv I could fit in. I am 65. Good Honda quality, fairly cheap utility vehicle. Can carry lots of tools. Fairly harsh bumpy ride on back roads. Disappointing gas mileage for a 4 cyl. My old audi A6 got about the same 22mpg. I know 5 people that bought one and they are all over 50, so much for the youth appeal. Overall good transportation for New England winter roads. Probably not a family car.

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  Mixed feelings about the Element.... - 2004 Honda Element
  By Element_Owner - April 27 - 5:19 pm

  The Element handles nicely through curvy mountain roads. The AWD performs well in Winter conditions, but the undercarriage is low-slung, allowing little clearance. Predictable braking. Minimalist interior is quite functional, nicely ergodynamic, and easy to care for. Seats are firm, yet comfortable. At 22-24mpg, fuel economy is average at best. My girlfriends Element shifts smoothly - mine does not- her Element brakes responsively -mine does not. Loud, squeaky rear suspension. DRL headlights remain "on" during engine starts, making cold weather starts a challenge - or even impossible. Reliability has been abysmal. Radiator self-destruction. Heater trouble. Charging system problem.

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  Nice ride - 2007 Honda Element
  By steve - April 25 - 1:42 pm

  I drive a lot of miles each day and enjoy them all. After back surgery I needed something roomy and easy to get in and out of not to mention good gas mileage. My wife now wants one of her own...

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  2003 Honda Element EX AWD 2W (2.4L - 2003 Honda Element
  By Cris - April 24 - 2:58 am

  I was the 1st person to have this kind of car in Texas, people looked me at as if I was from outer space or some kinda stupid to have a bread toaster looking car. But I dont mind that negative image because I was more concerned about the space and style versatility of the car. After driving this for 5 years now, I realized that I hate this car at all. I drove Nissan, Toyota, Porsche, Dodge, Chevy, Mazda and I realized the difference. There are far more better cars out there than Honda. I give credit to the reliability of this company but because of this prestige they had, they were too overconfident about their market and they made less effort of better design and worth your money to buy their car.

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  Fun To Drive and Extremely Comfortable - 2008 Honda Element
  By FMBGSU - April 23 - 11:47 am

  This car is really fun to drive but I do recommend the manual transmission. I test drove both the automatic and manual and definitely found the manual to give more power and also make the car more enjoyable to drive. The car shifts very smoothly and accelerates pretty well. My passengers never have to fight over the front seat anymore as the back seats are just as comfortable with plenty of leg room. I was worried at first that the styling had just caught my attention and I would get sick of it after a week but a few months later I am still in love with my Element. In essence it is a utility vehicle but on the LX trim there are more than enough features to get the job done.

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  I love it "but" - 2008 Honda Element
  By dds4 - April 22 - 9:26 am

  When I saw my black SC in the show room I loved it. Unfortunately, I drove a regular EX and then bought the SC. The SC is very harsh riding on long trips, punishing actually. It is at the dealer now replacing a defective rear tailgate hinge. For around town it is great and fun to drive. If you travel on weekends, I would select something else if you like some level of comfort.

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  Love My Toaster! - 2007 Honda Element
  By Sally - April 21 - 2:51 pm

  When I first saw this vehicle, I thought it was one of the ugliest vehicles on the road - I nicknamed it the toaster. My son and I went shopping with my husband for a Ridgeline. While my husband was discussing the terms for the Ridgeline, my son and I checked out the Element. Once we sat inside of it, we fell in love with it. We went for a test drive that day - within two weeks I had my Element. I love it, and now I find it quite cute. Its fun to drive, very utilitarian. Weve carted everything from a flag pole, gardening tools, plants, baseball equipment, fishing poles to our Springer Spaniel with ease. The car makes everyday rides fun adventures.

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  Element Toaster - 2003 Honda Element
  By Charles Gilbert - April 18 - 9:47 am

  Great handling and economy for an SUV. Parking is never a problem and the Element turns on a dime. Performance is adequate and it runs as smooth as a sewing machine. We can haul our two dogs with ease and the cargo area is very versatile.