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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  Wont start again - 2010 Honda Element
  By Not Happy - November 30 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a new Honda Element in May and it has been in the shop 2 times this time over a week and getting response "we dont know the techs are looking at it". will not run if not started daily. Left me stuck in Washington DC and 3 additional times at home. Honda will not provide a rental call while they guess at issue. Also, purchases Honda Civic SI 2010 same time have had no issues with that so far. what a bummer!

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  Avoid this SUV like the plague! - 2004 Honda Element
  By buffalogirl - November 24 - 2:00 am

  Very reliable driving always starts even when its -20. Not too aerodynamic because of boxy shape, so when youre driving in high wind, hard to control & you feel it! Rough riding, only fits 4 people because of cup holders between 2 back bucket seats. Terrible MPG we only got about 20m., hwy. Drivers side airbag deployed while it was parked no collision or impact, apparently a common problem in Elements that Honda wont fix! Very costly! Seat also are already splitting at seams on Drivers side. On our 3rd windshield.

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  15 mpg! Be warned - 2005 Honda Element
  By crackrock - November 19 - 2:00 am

  My v6 Suzuki grand vitara true 4x4 is getting 17.5 and my 4wd element is getting 14.5. Measured both with a kiwi-mpg obd2 tool, so its accurate. The element really awful to me. Gotta get this off my chest. Low clearance - I already came within a 1/2" of basically ruining my car, the drive shaft guard got all bent up, luckily barely missing the actual drive shaft, this was driving to the grocery store in about 8 inches of snow/ice not true 4x4 - combined with the lack of clearance the real time 4wd is a joke compared to true 4h/4l, the element has to stay up on the road, whereas the gv makes it the whole scary way down to the beach and tears through the sand, downhill in snow? Ha ha

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  Not for everyone - 2010 Honda Element
  By Pudde - November 13 - 2:00 am

  If you need a great little car for commuting then this is the one! I wasnt the target type for this car but its ended up being just right for me. The various cargo arrangements are great! Mpg is over 25 for light city driving (4.9 miles to work for me) and always nice to have the awd on hand.

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  Super Element! - 2005 Honda Element
  By Airzilla - October 31 - 2:00 am

  Incredible car! I thought my best car ever was my much loved black 1988 Honda CRX Si that I bought brand new right after college. After getting through college in a 1985 CRX, I had to have another one as I thought the CRX was the perfect little sports car. Well, eventually I needed something to haul around my drum kit and gear to gigs. I acquired a 2005 Element EX AWD with about 21,000 miles on it. It now has 138,000 and has literally NEVER been in the shop. All I have ever done is changed the fluids and filters per the recommended schedule. In fact, I have only recently put on new front brakes. Overall, an incredible vehicle and I am currently looking to sell this one and purchase another.

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  Utili-toaster - 2003 Honda Element
  By jlawton - October 19 - 2:00 am

  At its heart, the Element is exactly what a small SUV should be- practical, reliable, and easy to drive. What sets the car apart is simply how over-the-top utilitarian it really is. The interior is nearly indestructible. The rubberized floors are easy to clean, the seats are waterproof, and the folding rear seats open up a cavernous cargo area that will easily accommodate mountain bikes with the wheels still attached. For a giant rolling box, it handles surprisingly well- though not a sports car, the car feels stable and relatively nimble on mountain roads. An excellent buy for dog owners, college students, or anybody with an active lifestyle.

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  Not for everyone, but a great car - 2006 Honda Element
  By Jonathan W. - October 18 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Element for 5 years now and am still waiting for the first sign of a problem. (OK, there was an airbag light that came on for no apparent reason, but a brief visit to the dealer fixed that.) It just keeps on running despite my best efforts to wear it out. The all wheel drive works great, and while it is not a performance car by any means, it has more than enough giddy-up. The absence of carpets, along with the water resistant upholstery, makes it an ideal choice for camping, swimming, etc. -- even with dogs. I am 40 years old, but I dont think I will ever outgrow the Element. I look forward to keeping this car for 5 more years and then getting a new Element.

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  Love My Ellie! - 2005 Honda Element
  By EllieFan - October 3 - 2:00 am

  All I ever wanted was a Honda Element. Finally, after my 96 Chevy Beretta gave way, I bought a used one. I have two large dogs, and this was the only vehicle I would have. Couple of things. Its everything I thought it would be and more! The dogs have harnesses that attach to the seat belts, so no sliding around. I have two big dogs, so securing two crates to the back isnt an option. Secondly, for $3.50 from a big box store we all know and love, the big blind spots have been completely removed. Most neg. reviews were about blind spots, a very easy fix. And another was the pets sliding around. Well, get a harness. All problems fixed, and I couldnt be ANY happier with my Element.

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  Happy Overall - 2009 Honda Element
  By Iggy Flop - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Owned this car for a little over a year now and the experience has been a good one overall. Its fun to drive, It feels solidly built, and Ive yet to have any mechanical problems with it. Is is fairly flexible, But dont expect to be moving any couches or other bulky items. Its deceptively short, and if you really wanna pack it, youve got to lose the rear seats all together, which thankfully is fairly easy. Yes they flip up, but they bulge a good bit which takes up space. Not to mention block all visibility out of the right / rear window (kind of an important one if youre a lane changer). My biggest problem though is that the paint is chipping/ spidering, and Honda will not help.

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  Great Car - 2006 Honda Element
  By Adam - September 21 - 2:00 am

  I love driving this car. I bought it brand spanking new in November of 2005 with 63 miles on it. The stock stereo is awesome for stock. You could pack a smart car in the back if you needed to. TONS OF SPACE. Great gas mileage. Awesome in the snow. The only complaints i have are the road noise, and i really wish they put a V6 in it. The 2.4 L 4cyl is lacking. It would be nice to have usb connection for my iPod instead of the aux. You can definitely tell a difference when the a/c is on. The headlights broadcast perfectly and the car would benefit from HID lights. Other than that, the car is great.