You may remember last summer when I drove my 2008 Honda Element SC across California and Oregon. I considered it one of the best cars for "road tripping" and edmunds.com apparently agrees. They just named the Element the best SUV style crossover for long trips, 2009.
From edmunds.com...
"A super-spacious rear seat, durable interior and backseats that fold flat into a bed make the Element a great car for "roughing it" in style. It's also available with all-wheel drive to handle the occasional summer downpour. Add the smooth ride, quiet engine, sub-$20,000 price and an EPA fuel economy rating as high as 26 mpg and the Element has the value end of things covered as well."
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Element Review: One Year
It's easy to misinterpret the tall, boxy 2010 Honda Element as an old-style sport-utility vehicle—or even a van of sorts—but it's no off-roader whatsoever and certainly more sophisticated than a cargo van. With on-road components and a very carlike driving personality, 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.
Last year there were some significant changes to the Element, involving styling updates on the outside, as well as new electronics and infotainment within. Updates last year included painted metal fenders, along with a new front grille, bumpers, hood, and headlights that made the Element's appearance a little crisper and more chromed. Overall, the appearance is a bit more awkward and less cute than before from the front, combining the original's Rubbermaid charm with something that seems to be trying for a class it ain't part of.
A 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 166 horsepower and 161 pound-feet of torque propels LX, EX, and SC trim levels. Sending the power to the front wheels in all three trims—or all four wheels in 2010 Honda Element LX and EX models—is a five-speed automatic transmission.
The combination gives the Element sprightly acceleration around town, though on the highway it can become noisy and needs a little more planning. The automatic transmission is also happier around town, where it shifts smoothly and decisively, while it's a little rougher at speed. Real-world fuel economy is good around town, but again probably as the result of the Element's bricklike shape, highway fuel economy isn't really much better than city mileage. EPA ratings are up to 20 mpg city, 25 highway with front-wheel drive. AWD is an option on the 2010 Honda Element, but the Element does just fine with front-wheel drive, and we'd recommend it only for those who get heavy snowfall.
Last year there were some significant changes to the Element, involving styling updates on the outside, as well as new electronics and infotainment within. Updates last year included painted metal fenders, along with a new front grille, bumpers, hood, and headlights that made the Element's appearance a little crisper and more chromed. Overall, the appearance is a bit more awkward and less cute than before from the front, combining the original's Rubbermaid charm with something that seems to be trying for a class it ain't part of.
A 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 166 horsepower and 161 pound-feet of torque propels LX, EX, and SC trim levels. Sending the power to the front wheels in all three trims—or all four wheels in 2010 Honda Element LX and EX models—is a five-speed automatic transmission.
The combination gives the Element sprightly acceleration around town, though on the highway it can become noisy and needs a little more planning. The automatic transmission is also happier around town, where it shifts smoothly and decisively, while it's a little rougher at speed. Real-world fuel economy is good around town, but again probably as the result of the Element's bricklike shape, highway fuel economy isn't really much better than city mileage. EPA ratings are up to 20 mpg city, 25 highway with front-wheel drive. AWD is an option on the 2010 Honda Element, but the Element does just fine with front-wheel drive, and we'd recommend it only for those who get heavy snowfall.
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