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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  My most favorite car ever - 2005 Honda Element
  By wattscyn - August 23 - 6:40 pm

  I love this vehicle, after driving everything from Cadillacs to Pintos, I can say this is my favorite car ever. It is a blast to drive and a breeze to keep clean with two kids and three dogs. I love being able to reconfigure the interior on a whim. Im a master gardener and a tree-a-holic ( I fit five) A blast for family road trips. A great road car

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  Family Car - 2003 Honda Element
  By CL - August 21 - 10:00 am

  We liked the Odyssey and the CRV but were just not a minivan family and the CRV was just not as family functional. We waited in line for a test drive behind a few 30-something families (with kids)and 50+ year olds. No 20- somethings in sight. With two little boys we absolutely love our Element EX. Positives: Ton of room for them in the back seats, the moonroof right above them (we purchased a cover to protect them from the sun, solid and easy anchoring for their car seats, easy in and out, enough room for mom and dad to get in back to latch the car seats, no worry clean up!

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  Gen Y Extremo - 2005 Honda Element
  By Biker Box - August 21 - 4:46 am

  This car proves that Honda knows what to do. Nothing the US produces can even match this car. I am a mountain biker so I am often dirty or wet. This thing gets me where I want to be and back. I have shown so many people the inside that it is becoming boring, but they love it. Most everyone had mocked me before. It is affectionately known as "the box."

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  honda element - 2004 Honda Element
  By torelli1231 - August 15 - 11:04 pm

  I bouht this for my business. It is wonderful. I am a caterer and we cart all kinds of things including food. we can wash it out and and dry it in no time. handy AWD in the winter. I dove it down south twice this past year. I would buy another one in a second.

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  Functional Goodness! - 2005 Honda Element
  By kawa - August 14 - 11:06 pm

  no other SUV compares to the element. completely functional, easily maintainable, very affordable.. and too too fun to drive!

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  Honda Element - 2003 Honda Element
  By jabb - August 14 - 10:00 am

  This is an excellent car for working parents that need to easily reach their children as they drive from place to place. The care is very confortable and drives easily. Stable when turning a corner and on the highway. It has a unique exterior design and all the practical details were considered for the interior.

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  South Texas HONDA ELEMENT - 2003 Honda Element
  By Johkneeboy - August 14 - 10:00 am

  The Element is new, fun, and reliable. There is so much space that it feels as if we are in a larger SUV. We have two dogs and the no carpet, water and stain proof seats are to our advantage. the only thing that I really didnt like was the fact that it did not come with a alarm, or keyless entry.

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  Elementary - 2005 Honda Element
  By sstein - August 13 - 6:36 pm

  The Element is not for the pretentious, or luxury driven, but if utility, reliabilty and flexibility in use mean anything to you, then the Element will give you much more than you expect. Handling is surprisingly good, as is acceleration. And, on the open road, the engine actually responds at high speeds. As far as the interior flexibility, awesome.

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  Quality wise-the best vehicle ever owned - 2003 Honda Element
  By Steve Bullard - August 11 - 7:36 pm

  Fun to drive, and,at 35,000 miles,not a single problem. Great build quality. When I first bought it I though the seat material would be hot (like leather). But even in the Houston summers the seats have been just like fabric seats. I do wish Honda would come up with a way to seat 3 in the back seat...offer a option of a full bench. Even if it could not be stowed within the vehicle and took 2 people to remove it. It really cant be useful for a family unless it seats 5. I would not hesitate to recommend an Element.

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  Beware of Blind Spot - 2003 Honda Element
  By Fran - August 11 - 1:19 pm

  I loved my Element until I was driving in the LA Convention Center Parking Lot, and hit a post. I had never done anything like this before. After going through weeks of repair, and self recrimination, I thought that because Im not tall, the blind spot was worse. Then my husband (tall) almost missed a pedestrian in turning left. Beware of the blind spot as you turn left. I am in the process of replacing this car.