Overview & Reviews

After a major update last year, the Honda Element returns for 2008 unchanged.

• Smooth engine, nimble handling, spacious interior, optional all-wheel drive.

• Only seats four, clamshell rear doors complicate entry/exit for rear passengers.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 74.00

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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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  Second Element, Second Car bought new - 2008 Honda Element
  By pepsicolacat - November 16 - 5:27 pm

  I own a 2005 element ex awd which has a four speed automatic. The 2008 ex awd has five speed automatic which gets better gas mileage than a five speed manual. I average 20-21 on the 05 if I drive 80 to 85mph on the freeway. I averaged 24mph on a all freeway trip averaging 90mph driving from Columbus to Dayton.

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  Glorified Junk - 2008 Honda Element
  By WetMonkey - October 9 - 1:50 am

  This is my last Honda!!! For the last 25 years I have bought them all (Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Subaru, Caddy...etc) but never witnessed a vehicle in this size to only tow 600 pounds? This means weak Transmission and lack of suspension support. They sure made it big enough to stuff whole garage full of stuff. Plus the sheet sounds like it was make of coke cans. The car is noisy and cant decide to stay in 4th or 5th gear. From what I know, all Hondas have this problem. WEAK and noisy. AWD system does not do so well compared to my Suby. The front wheel always slips during rain or snow and engages the rear tad late...whats the point. Prone to roll over. Complete design flaw

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  Best vehicle purchase - 2008 Honda Element
  By sportbiker29 - October 4 - 3:29 am

  I bought my Element used with 21,000 miles on it and have since put 7,000 miles on it with only great news to report. My Element has given me a reliable and fun driving experience from day one. Ive used the Element to go camping and haul all my equipment to evenings at the Drive-In theater. The AWD makes driving in the rain a breeze and I love, love, love the ride height of the Element. The water resistant seats and flooring have worked out nicely for my trips down to the beach with my 90lb dog. I enjoy my Element more and more every day and I cant wait for snow season to take the Element to the slopes for some snowboarding!!!

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  Does the job - 2008 Honda Element
  By upstatenewyorker - September 27 - 4:43 am

  My 2008 Element EX AWD with 5 spd manual does all I need it to. I replaced a 04 Jetta because I wanted 4WD for the winter road conditions and I needed space to haul stuff- but did not want a pickup truck. The Element along with a lightweight aluminum trailer when needed satisfies all needs. Upon delivery from dealer, I noticed a leak of clear fluid on my garage floor... turns out it was from the rear differential, and they promptly replaced it and Ive had no problems since. Feels stable in slippery conditions, and has good power. Ive consistently averaged 25 mpg summer, 22 in winter. Smoothest manual transmission Ive ever driven.

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  This is my second one - 2008 Honda Element
  By Dave Perry - August 31 - 6:02 pm

  This is my second Element. My first one was a 2006, same equipment, different color and traded for an S2000 which was fun while it lasted. I use my 2008 Element as a daily driver and I also sell a high-end Swedish car in my day job which I know inside and out (this will explain some of my suggestions later on). I think the Element is the perfect vehicle for me for a lot of reasons. It gets reasonable gas mileage (27 highway, 24 overall), it has reasonable power, is a blast to drive (no S2000, but what is?), is reliable as motor vehicles get, and has great ergonomics and fun to drive.

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  Perfect for dog lovers! - 2008 Honda Element
  By MastiffMobile - August 30 - 3:12 pm

  If we had purchased any other vehicle, wed have ruined the interior by now! As an active, young military couple we are avid beach-goers, dog lovers, and spend lots of time traveling 13-15 hrs to see family when we get leave time. This vehicle is perfect for it all! We easily fit our two English mastiffs in the back with room to spare... The waterproof interior holds up great against all the sand, ocean water, and drool! Its comfortable to ride in for all of our long trips, and its been great for driving to and from dog shows! Weve actually had the discussion about "what will happen if Honda stops making the Element by the time we want another one," and we dont know what well do!

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  True SUV - 2008 Honda Element
  By criticaliron - August 9 - 1:36 pm

  So many "want to be SUVs" dont hold a candle to the Element. With urethane floors, water/stain proof seats, huge storage capabilities, AWD and good low end torque this vehicle runs circles around the competition. There really is nothing like it. If you bike (we can get two road bikes with aero bars in the BACK), camp, scuba dive (just toss your gear in and hose out later) this is the winner hands down. Most SUVs are all image, but no substance (carpet and leather seats are not advantageous to an active lifestyle). The Element delivers with Honda reliability. After years of Jeeps and their mechanical issues I am hooked on this Hondas sewing machine perfect (and simple) four cylinder.

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  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.

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  The Perfect All Around Car for Me! - 2008 Honda Element
  By Lizzie - June 22 - 9:00 pm

  I am a manufacturers rep and drive many miles - Ive logged 67K miles in 15 months. My Element is reliable, roomy, has plenty of power on the highway, tons of room for me to carry my samples headroom to accommodate the tallest of passengers - legroom to spare this cute little SUV has it all...plus, the lack of carpet makes it so easy to keep clean - after a visit to the beach sweeping out the sand is a breeze. The best part, for me, is that its ultra easy for my two 80 lb Labradors to jump in and out of - The rear seats come out and give them a huge area. Also, the seats are washable - this is a plus when you have dogs with muddy feet or when you spill your coffee... the Element has it all!