The 2011 Honda Element has a box-on-wheels design that imbues it with a lot more interior space than models that take up more parking space. But what's surprising is that the 2011 Element doesn't drive like a truck its car-based underpinnings shine through, with responsive handling and decent stability. And the Element gets better fuel economy if you simply stick with front-wheel drive, and it does just fine that way we'd recommend all-wheel drive only for those who get heavy snowfall. Performance is good in the city with the five-speed automatic, but it feels a little winded on the highway. The 2011 Element has modest technical specs: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 166 horsepower and 161 pound-feet of torque front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and running gear that's evolved in part from the Civic and CR-V parts bin. Utility is strongly represented up front, even, with a tray-like shelf built right into the instrument panel. There are lots of hard plastics, and even the cargo floor is covered with a rubberized, easy-wipe surface, so there's no pretending it's snooty or luxurious. Inside, the Element is best described as no-nonsense. With a look that takes after that of old-style sport-utility vehicles-even channeling cues from traditional vans-combined with a certain cargo sophistication and city-savvy maneuverability, the Element is one of the best bets for those who like the utility of SUVs but prefer the safety, handling, and fuel efficiency of cars. So, if you can find one of those, then that would be quite the “unicorn” find.The tall, boxy 2011 Honda Element is no rugged off-roader, but it sure looks like one. It was essentially the Element for the “cool kids.”Īnd as an added bonus tip, the 2009 and later Honda Elements were available with an optional OEM navigation system and rearview camera, which was a bit of a luxury at the time and rare to see on an SUV like this. The SC stood for “Street Custom,” and it included fully painted front and rear bumpers, a unique front grille, a slightly lower suspension, and 18-inch alloy wheels. If you want a Honda Element that can spice things up a bit, then be on the lookout for an Element SC. RELATED: What Happened To The Honda Element? There are a couple of rare Honda Elements to look out for If you prefer that your Element has a more muscular look, then we would suggest finding a 2009 and later model as it underwent a minor refresh that year, which included a more chiseled front end. Otherwise, if you’re on the hunt for an Element, we would suggest looking into the 2007 model year and above as it received a few upgrades at that time including more horsepower and a five-speed automatic transmission for better fuel economy. However, try and stay away from the 2003 model year as it has the most complaints filed on Car Complaints and it’s the first model year of the car, which tends to have the most issues. The Honda Element was in production from 2003 to 2011, so you’ll have a good selection to choose from if you’re in the market. RELATED: Honda Element vs Honda Ridgeline: Which One Can Fit More Stuff … The best Honda Element model years to buy Repair Pal rates the Honda Element a four out of five when it comes to reliability and estimates an annual repair cost of $491, which is lower than the typical average of $521 for compact SUVs. In fact, it’s not uncommon to read about owners reaching over 300,000 miles on their Elements without doing many large repairs in addition to simple maintenance. 2005 Honda Element | HondaĪdditionally, there are plenty of current Honda Element owners that have easily spun their car’s odometers to the tune of 200,000 or more. Although Consumer Reports gave the Honda Element a three out of five for “predicted reliability,” JD Power gave it a rating of 81 out of 100 for “quality and reliability,” which is considered great compared to other similar vehicles. You probably won’t be surprised when we tell you that the Honda Element is just about as reliable as any other product that the automaker has created. The Honda Element is as reliable as any other Honda But if you were to buy one now, you might be wondering how many miles would a Honda Element last. It was a compact SUV with four seats, suicide doors, and a clamshell tailgate, and was considered by some as the original “box on wheels.” The Element has been discontinued for the past 10 years, but you can still find plenty of them on the used market. The Honda Element was one of the most creative endeavors that the automaker ever produced.

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