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2008 Honda Element
2008 Honda Element
Daring to be Different
The charming Honda Element thumbs its nose at automotive convention and contains an array of clever features that make it best suited for practical applications.
It has its idiosyncrasies — like an unconventional side-door design and odd seating positions — that take a while to adjust to. But we found the car to be pleasant and practical, whether in the city or on the open road, with Honda’s usual polished controls and stable ride capped by proven reliability and safety.
The Element’s functionality strikes a chord with Baby Boomers and young families who like the idea of an interior that can be configured in various ways and cleaned with a hose. And let’s not underestimate the appeal of the style statement it makes.
The Element’s boxy profile affords considerable interior volume. A key design feature is that the body structure has no roof pillar between the front and rear doors. The large front door opens in the normal fashion, and access to the rear seat area is provided through a smaller, rear-hinged “suicide” door. With both open, the side of the vehicle gapes with a 55.5-inch span.
One drawback to this design is that the rear doors can’t be opened when the front ones are closed. And access to the rear seat is less convenient than in conventional four-door SUVs.
Until the 2006 model year, the Element was offered only with a rugged two-tone body treatment that accentuated the vehicle’s dent- and scratch-resistant plastic fender panels. Now Honda offers the Element with smooth, body-color painted fenders and door handles to broaden its appeal.
With the SC model, Honda lures urban dwellers that might be considering, say, a Scion xB. The SC has a lower ride height with a sport suspension package that includes larger wheels and tires. Accentuating the street stance is a custom front bumper and grille treatment.
Access to the rear cargo area is through a two-piece tailgate — the upper glass portion folds up and the lower metal portion folds down. The lower gate can support 220 pounds for tailgating or hanging out around the campfire, and there’s even an accessory seat-back that can be installed to make it more comfortable for sitting.
There are various other camp-related accessories, such as a tent attachment and legs that transform the removable floor panel of the rear cargo hold into a picnic table.
Designed as a four-passenger vehicle, Honda wisely chose to provide ample head, elbow and legroom for all passengers rather than cram more seating inside the Element. The result is an interior that feels cavernous. Still, it would been nice to have a middle seat in the rear for times when you need to carry that one extra person.
The driver and front passenger sit relatively low in the vehicle, which can be a bit disconcerting at first. Having to sit so far back from the upright windshield exacerbates the odd sense of interior proportions. It takes many miles behind the wheel to become accustomed to the perspective.
Interior styling is a mix of modern and retro cues that somehow meld to become utilitarian. All controls are a bit oversized so they can be operated with winter gloves. Honda also places the transmission shifter (both automatic and manual) at the bottom of the center dash stack that also houses the audio and climate controls. The position works quite well; it’s within easy reach yet unobtrusive.
The utilitarian and functional interior features various large bins and thoughtful storage spaces. Both the base LX and better-equipped EX have hard urethane floors that are flat for easy loading and cleaning after those dirty outdoor excursions.
The seats are also unique. Honda designed them to fold from the standard upright position to a completely flat position and serve as beds when the Element becomes base camp.
The rear seats are split down the middle and fold up against the side walls, where they can be secured with large carabiner hooks to expand cargo capacity and provide an unobstructed flat load floor. The rear seats can also be removed completely to further increase cargo capacity. Like the rest of the interior, the seats are designed to stand up to abuse and are trimmed in a robust, water-resistant material.
The Element’s four-cylinder powerplant produces 156 horsepower and 161 pound-feet of torque. It features Honda’s excellent i-VTEC (intelligent Variable Valve Timing and Electronic Lift Control), which increases fuel economy and provides a little extra punch at higher engine speeds. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, and a four-speed automatic is optional.
No speed demon but also not a slouch, the Element zips to 60 milies per hour in 8.5 seconds. As usual with smaller engines, your driving style should guide transmission choice: For those looking to extract as much speed and performance as possible from the economical four-cylinder, the manual transmission is a good choice; drivers who prefer less involvement should opt for the competent automatic.
The front-wheel-drive Element can be equipped with all-wheel drive, but it degrades efficiency by 1 or 2 mpg.
Like most Hondas, the Element is very easy to handle and park, yet it is also solid on the highway. There’s nothing remarkable about its driving dynamics: pleasantly responsive, but shy of sporty.
Once you adjust to the Element’s quirks — such as the side doors and the odd seating position — it proves, like every other Honda, to be a likable driving companion whose thoughtful design eases the strain of commuting. Plus, you simply can’t take life too seriously when behind the wheel of a vehicle that thumbs its nose at traditional thinking.
Is the Honda Element for You?
| Buy the Element if | You dare to be different and prize utility and functionality above all else; you need a multifunctional vehicle tailored to your active lifestyle. |
| Keep Looking if | You need seating for more than four; you prefer traditional design, in which case Honda’s CR-V is worth considering. |
| Who Fits? | Only four, not five; but legroom and headroom are generous. |
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