Truly utilitarian Works as advertised Very roomy Comfortable seats Engine delivers a nice amount of power Smooth shifting manual transmission

Fairly large blind spot caused by reinforced A-pillar Gas mileage could be better Construction has a less-than-solid 'feel'

Wow, the free time some a$$holes have on their hands! I didn't read all the way through all of the reviews here because, frankly, I don't care much whether someone else likes the Element or not. I love mine. Does that mena the car is perfect? No, not by a long shot. For one, I wish it got better mileage. I'm averaging around 22 mpg with a mix of highway and around-town driving. On long highway trips, I get approx 25 mpg. For an AWD vehicle with as much cargo room as the Element, these figures aren't bad. Still, given Honda's reputation for making very efficient vehicles, I wish it came in somewhat closer to the 30 mpg mark. What else don't I like? Well, the Element sounds a bit cheaply constructed when closing the doors. Has a hollow, tin-can sort of feel, and the doors dent easily. I noticed a dent in the driver's side cargo door the day after I bought mine. Someone had swung open a car door and left a small but visible dent. It's a bit ironic, perhaps, that Honda uses the "dent-resistent" composite panels on all corners, but leaves the sides of the vehicle (where dents are most likely to occur) completely vulnerable to just this sort of damage. Those issues aside, I still love my Element. For the price, it's hard to beat. More power than any other 4 cylinder in its class, better handling than one would expect, and the brakes are excellent. In short, it's a blast to drive through twisty roads. Other things I like? The stereo is superb. I play the guitar. I can plug my effects processor into one of the two AC outlets, and run the guitar signal through the stereo for go-anywhere sessions, and there's no need to bring an amplifier along. I'm an avid mountain biker, and the cargo area of the element works as advertised. By folding one of the rear seats up, I can put my bike in the back without removing the front wheel, and I can leave the bike in there, safe from the elements (no pun intended), while I'm at work. Then, when I get to the park afterwards, I can change in the cargo area and hit the trails. I don't work for honda, I just like mine. And, to the guy who posted about check engine light, broken seatbelt, etc. Sorry, but you're either lying, or you got a lemon. Either way, calm down, then call your dealer.

Similar Products Used:

Volvo wagons VW Rabbit

everything. The weak VTEC engines can stir up the blood of homer, Seth, ralph...to the top....well done Honda. Keep up. Any car makers can use the VTEC technology with a small fees that go to Honda. How sad is that.

none

This car rocks

Similar Products Used:

FORD PINTO

Price, mileage, avail. colors, Honda reputation, stereo, looks, interior room.

options TOO expensive, not enough options standard, no avail. sunroof for 2WD, no armrest for pass., lack of storage.

First off I like my Element. I think the CRAP that people like Homer is putting up is pretty comical. I do agree that it seems strange the wording in some of the reviews sounds just like a Honda sales pitch. I traded a 99 Dodge Ram Xtra Cab for my Element, and haven't regretted it for a second. It drives nice, is super roomy, and my kids love the backseat. It sits higher than the front so the backseat passengers can see out the front. It is a whole lot roomier inside than it looks from the outside. The mileage is great compared to the Dodge. And I just think it is a cool car. There are some things that bother me though. Sunroof not avail. in 2WD, back windows don't rolldown, seatbelts attached to back door, options are too expensive, should have more options included in EX model(keyless entry), no armrest on pass. seat, lack of storage, etc. But I DO LOVE the car! People really seem to either love it or hate it. I hope Honda can remedy some of these oversites in future models. It seems maybe they rushed to put out the Element before they thought it all out. As you can see I like it but it has some problems someone may not notice in a test drive. Hope this helps.

Styling, well-thought of conveniences inside (deep welled pockets, well-lit instrumentation section, a fine sounding sound system, sporty interior design and materials). Very good gas mileage.. A masculine styling to it, however not to the point of aggressive looking. It has a certain style of "cuteness"... however very stylish. From it's side view, it looks very Frenchy... front view, it looks like a bulldog.. The flexibility of it's seating configuration, makes my active life easier. This was a test yesterday, when a couple of friends and myself went for a bike ride. First of all they have a bike rack attachment for their SUV. This bike rack was the clumsiest thing I ever saw and experienced. It's supposed to hold 3 bikes, however, after trying to put 3 bikes on it, it failed. So, we decided to load 2 of their bikes. Mind you, this included lots of patience and nail biting just to load those 2 bikes on their rack. In my case, all I did was to open my rear door, pulled-in my bike, "no problem". It took me less than 2 minutes and "no aggravation". With the Element's unique seating configuration; it made my bike riding a "breeze"... Both of my friends just did a "double-take".. in looking at how easy I load my bike and how easy for me to unload it, even without dissassembling the front tire of my bike

"random, non-selective" radio station button should be located somewhere else... not where it is currently positioned. I often hit this and reprogram my already set-up "preset" radio stations.

I've owned way too many cars & trucks in my lifetime. The most recent SUV that I've owned was a Landrover Freelander. Yes, this SUV was a beauty in all angles, however, owning it is another story. It's just like maintaining a money hungry mother-in-law. Where in the world would one get a ~ $145.00 oil change.. and a ~ $500.00 12,000 mile maintenance cost. I know I should have checked the maintenance cost of this SUV before I bought it, however, much too late. However, since I have very low mileage in that car, I took advantage of trading it in for a Honda Element. In the long run, my maintenance cost will be reasonably low and oil changes will be under $30.00 every 5,000 miles. How's that for initial savings. I've checked the internet on the reviews (positives & negatives) about the Honda Element... and it reviews leaned over to "more" positives. So, I decided to trade my Freelander to a more practical, cool-looking Honda Element EX. Besides I find that the Freelander has a "snobbish" aura to it... and the car's personality doesn't go with mine

Similar Products Used:

Jeep Wrangler convertible; Sahara, Sport, Landrover Freelander

Great Handling, cool looking interior, mess proof floor with the EX. Full size spare tire. The back seat folded very well (you have to see the pics at hondacars.com). THe seats look like they can stand any mess

Too much $ and not enought feautures, not aerodinamically designed.

I test drove a Honda Element EX 4WD today. The ride was very smooth at 40 to 45 MPH. Turning was excellent. I currently own a Chevy Malibu and I feel that the price of the Element is too high for the small amount of features. No daytime running lights, not many useful features (plain CD/Stereo). Looks too me like the Element is way too boring and way too high priced. But if you really like this car and can't wait do not pay more than $20,500 for a new one, no matter what!

Similar Products Used:

Mercedez G Wagon

Excellent build quality

People are rupulsed by it's looks

I have to say,the Element does have a unique appeal but I have to agree with homer on this one,these Honda sites are being loaded.First of all,notice the number and frequency of reviews.The Jeep Liberty,by comparison,is the best selling compact suv on the market and has been out there since 2001 but has fewer reviews than the Element.The other thing I've noticed is that it is as if these reviewers never drove the vehicle--notice no mention of how Elements get thrown around in crosswinds.The ride is stiff,downrite jittery on washboard surfaces and the engine is quite noisy under throttle.All Elements competitors carry five passengers comfortably while Element only carries four.A total lack of off pavement capability is also a tremendous drawback for any suv since being able to go where cars cannot is a given for suv buyers but the Element is built on the Crv platform and lacks a locking center differential and fourwheel low range.this is inexcusable.I've also checked the professional reviews and here's one comment I found "The only thing that could detract from the fun of the open road is the Element's shape. Because of its boxy, high roof, the Element is prone to wind noise as well as noticeable wind buffeting. In gusty conditions, this box on wheels provides plenty of surface area for the wind to really push. The Element never feels tippy, but high winds can really bounce it around."SO,in effect,it's only true strength is it's uniqueness but folks,this is hardly a homerun for Honda

Similar Products Used:

Honda Crv,Jeep Liberty,hyundai santafe

Awesome SUV with a nice sporty suspension. Great gas milage. Great reliability. Well thought out vehile that fills a niche.

Needs a big sunroof up front. Love it or hate it exterior styling (I love it!).

Wow!! I made the list!!! Notice in Homer's review below that I made the list as a Honda employee posing as several different people from the same IP address. I'm not sure how he can tell everyone's IP address but I sure they don't have the same as mine. I must be getting double overtime writing this review on a Sunday night!! LOL!!! Homer, I don't know what your problem is with Honda but do you really think people are going to listen to you and not buy an Element with your idiotic posts?? Honda earned their reputation. When they first arrived here most people laughed at them. Now they make the most popular cars and suvs on the road today. Car and Driver voted both the CRV and the Pilot the best in their respective classes. You mention the Edmunds review where they had a breakdown with a Pilot. Honda did put out a recall on the defective part but the dealer failed to correct it. I admit Honda and the dealer screwed up, but unfortunately humans make mistakes. Even with that incident Edmunds still thinks the Pilot is one of the best suvs out there. Honda makes the most reliable, most dependable vehicles on the road today. If they didn't they wouldn't have such great resale value and couldn't get away with not offering the deep discounts like the other manufactures. Get over it.

Room for my lawnmower, tablesaw etc when the rear seats are folded up. Traditional reliability and below average depriciation.

Blind spots take getting used to. Hard to read instruments in the daytime.

Wanted something for my retirement - a cross between a car, van and truck. This is it. Gets good mileage, no carpets to get dirty and the manufacturer is known for quality and durability. I traded in my 2003 Accord SE which was a great car. Didn`t want another Chrysler Van- (a set of head gaskets and 2 transmissions) or a Ford van, (head gaskets). I`ve had it with domestics until they can improve long term reliability. And no, I do not work for Honda. I will update my opinion as time passes and we get into a good Canadian winter.

Similar Products Used:

3 Honda Civics now in the family

everything is pretty much good on this car

should of had roll down windows in the back, but more or less pretty good

hey, i would just like to say that the element is a good ride. i own 1 now for the past 2.5 months and shes doing great. its not the best looking car out there but for the money your getting alot of car. theres alot better out there but everything now days is sooo damn expensive. i really enjoy this car especially for the back seats ;) lol

Similar Products Used:

??? i have no idea

Great gas mileage, great looks, sporty handling, versatile easy to clean interior, Honda reliability and resale.

If it came with a dual glass sunroof that opened both ways I would have snatched it up in a heartbeat.

When I was looking for a new SUV I took an Element for a test drive. I wasn't very serious about buying one but after driving it I was certainly tempted. In fact, if my wife didn't already have a CRV I probably would have bought it. It drove really really well. The engine is plenty powerful enough to pull the lightweight SUV around and yet gets great gas milage. To maximize interior room Honda made this vehicle pretty tall but it drives like a sports car! The tight suspension is a welcome trait amid the legions of soft bouncy SUVs out there. And the interior is HUGE! While sitting in the rear seat you can almost fully extend you legs without touching the front seats! I love how all the seats recline to form a bed! This is the ultimate vehicle for an active person to take on a road trip. Pile in all the toys, strap the bikes to the roof and hit the road. I wish I had this in college when I toured around the US with my friends. I also really like the way it looks! It reminds me of a cross between a Mini and a Hummer (the Hummer is crap by the way).

Similar Products Used:

Owned several SUVs and cars over the years and test drove the rest.