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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  Love my E - 2005 Honda Element
  By Zach - April 19 - 10:13 am

  Bought my Element from an old man with 17,000 on the odometer. Love the styling, the interior, everything about it. My only complaints are the performance ( no worries, e fans, you can find superchargers just for the element. How does 230 hp sound?) and the blind spots. If youre a careful driver, the blind spots wont be a problem.

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  I love my Element! - 2005 Honda Element
  By Sami - April 14 - 4:12 pm

  I purchased an Element after seeing how the rear seats function. The best part for us was the fact they could be removed. I purchased this vehicle entirely for my dogs, because were constantly on the road with them for dog-related activities. The person who reviewed the Element poorly, who also purchased it for their dogs, obviously didnt tie anything down. I put a big dog bed right behind the front seats, can stow up to 6 folding kennels against one side of the vehicle (there are tons of places to use bungee straps in this SUV!), an ice chest, folding chairs, luggage, etc. More than enough room for 2 adults and 3 big dogs. You just have to use your head when it comes to maximizing space!

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  Want Another - 2005 Honda Element
  By Mike - April 1 - 12:02 am

  I will buy another element this year. The thing that I like most is the headroom and the ease of regress and egress. I have a fused neck so I cannot bend it and with the Element I dont have to bend my neck to get in or out. The car is a little noisy from the lack of carpet but you get used to it. Many nooks and crannies that coins get wedged in but not that much of a problem. All around a great car. Replaced a passenger window motor, a battery and was serviced regularly. Still have it 50k miles.

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  Great Bang for the Buck! - 2008 Honda Element
  By Albert P - March 29 - 9:47 am

  I drive a lot! I use this car for work and running my kids for sports and it does everything I need. In four years it will have over 100k miles and I will probably get another one. It is easy to clean inside and out. I am a big guy and I love the room. Great head and leg room. Easy to drive and parking is never a problem.

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  Little Blue Bread Truck - 2007 Honda Element
  By msvic - March 25 - 6:13 pm

  I truly concur with the folks who LOVE their Elements. I, too, fell in love with the car when it was first featured in a Newsweek column with a photo of the very first 2002(?) model to hit the road. It took me 5 years to call myself the owner of an Element, but Ive never looked back. I love my car. It drives like a dream! I took the back seats out so Id have room for my dogs. I have never missed carpet. The resilient plastic flooring is ideal, especially when it comes to cleaning (which Im not so good at because I live in a rural, dirt road area). But, at least when I do clean, I can do it with a bucket of soapy water and a rag--and it gleams!

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  Wish I still had it! - 2003 Honda Element
  By hnewton - March 7 - 9:32 am

  I put probably 32,000 miles on my Honda in two years. I never had any problems with it. It did make a weird noise when I turned really sharp, it was not a big deal. I bought the car with about 95,000 mile on it and it did that when I bought it. The dealership said it was because of the AWD. I drove a different one a year later and it did not do that. Besides oil changes, I only spent 350.00 on it the entire time I owned it. That was for breaks and its 100,000 mile maintenance. I thought it would need a new belt, but it has a timing chain that last 300,000 miles! We really used this car for what it can be used for. Camping, hauling, animals, etc. The seats are very durable! Seats four.

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  Love our Element - 2009 Honda Element
  By Otown Jim - February 13 - 8:24 pm

  We really love our Element. We purchased the vehicle to make it easier to transport our dog (Samoyed). The removable seats in the back are perfect and the room once removed is terrific. The Element handles well in the snow (took it to Montana through multiple snowstorms during Thanksgiving week). Lastly, our boy Buck just loves his new car! Excellent choice for dog lovers and people needing some additional cargo room.

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  Quirky - 2004 Honda Element
  By nc3e - February 11 - 4:16 pm

  I still cant say that I like the way the Element looks. Its ugly, and it hasnt really grown on me yet. However, it has more interior space than I expected. Rear seat passengers have tons of space and 2 cup holders, as well as 2 more for the front seat passengers. Great sound system. AWD is great in the snow! Acceleration isnt astounding, but it isnt slow. No carpeting means cleaning up spills is the best. Front pillars make big blind spots, and the "suicide doors" are a pain in a parking lot. The brakes took some getting used to for me, the pedal is a little soft and positioned strangely. Smooth and gentle steering and ride. AC began squeaking recently and cranks VERY slow in the cold.

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  I smile whenever I get behind the wheel - 2009 Honda Element
  By Madison - February 7 - 6:51 pm

  I have been wanting one of these since the first year they came out. I am not disappointed and would have taken the plunge sooner but my 97 Honda Odyssey just would not wear out. I finally passed it on to someone who appreciated it. The Element has it all - my dog agrees. Plenty of space, fun to drive, Honda reliability and goes thru the snow and ice in Wisconsin like youre driving in July. The clamshell doors are kind of a pain in a tight parking lot but you figure it out. The stereo system is great and the satellite radio rocks. I like being able to just take my bike at the end of a ride and roll it into the back end. The floor cleans up from muddy dogs with ease.

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  My personal tank - 2010 Honda Element
  By acw02 - February 1 - 6:53 am

  This is my 3rd Element. Each time I trade the Element for another brand I always end up coming back to Element. This time I tried a Scion XB--enough said--I am happy to return to the Element. It has solid build quality, excellent reliability and the most versatility of any vehicle. Updates are appreciated like outside temperature display, voice controlled navigation, center console storage and over head storage. No complaints, no rattles, no leaks, no squeaks--I am a happy camper and I think I will stay with Honda Element this time around.