Element is the Swiss Army Knife of SUVs

We have owned our Element for just under two months (Canadian Y package- AWD, sunroof, 5 speed), but in that time completed over 6000 km of driving on vacation to the West Coast in every kind of terrain (mountains and prairie). Given extensive driving in every kind of highway and city condition, I thought I might post a preliminary review.

Space and Features:

The Element is the most comfortable long-haul vehicle I have ever driven in many respects, with a family of four and two children (13 and 11), this is a vehicle that has been designed from the back seat forward. The rear seats allow the children to seat theatre style and view the road through the windshield. Moreover, there is so much room between the rear seats and the front that I can recline properly in the driver seat (I am six four) and my daughter (five seven) can sit directly behind me without any discomfort. A nice added bonus is that the rear seats tilt directly under the sun roof and the kids actually enjoyed looking at the mountains through the roof.

The suicide doors provide for step-in access to the rear seat which makes ingress and egress a snap EXCEPT when parked in tight spaces in malls. There, the rear seat passengers can only proceed forward after the rear door is closed and the front door is closed (in that order).

Opening and closing doors takes a little coordination and communication. Rear seat passengers can only leave if the front-seat doors open first AND the driver and front seat passenger HAVE to remove their seatbelt first as the anchors are on the rear doors.

What happens if you don't? Rear door opens and the anchor for your seat belt goes with it; you will be COMPELLED to leave the vehicle sideways. I note that is fixed on 2007 models as the anchors have been moved.

That being said, the suicide doors have many benefits- they air out the vehicle in hot weather in record time (this was essential in 38 C temps this summer) and allow for a super wide driver and front passenger side window- with both front windows open there is terrific air flow through the cabin (maybe too much at highway speed) We drove a lot of times in hot weather with the AC off and the windows open through towns and cities. An unexpected bonus.

The rear space behind the seats holds a lot of stuff- we managed to load four bags, a set of golf clubs, a pack, another small carry bag and assorted shoes and a carry cooler without too much trouble- there is a small space under the rear seats that holds narrow objects as well- we carried a DVD player back and a CD case and a shoe box without inconveniencing rear-seat passengers. This vehicle is hard to over-cram,it is just amazing how big the inside of a little cube can be!!

There is an overhead bin that is perfect for CD storage, a few open shelves in the front over the dash, but that is about it. Drink holders are front and rear (my kids loved the rear ones), but the storage accessories are fairly spartan here. Another storage bin, perhaps between the front seats would be welcome in future models.

The floor is a nubbly black vinyl, that while washable is not recommended for hosing out (damage to electronics will ensue). However cleaning by vacuum or even damp rag is a snap. The seat fabric is breathable and washable- very attractive and utilitarian and should hold up well over time.

Engine and Handling:

The engine in the element is the same 156 hp four cylinder that is featured in the Accord, the Acura RSX and the CRV. This is a terrific engine and unlike previous V-Tec iterations, has slightly more torque than horsepower. Driving in the mountains with a full load of luggage and four persons was surprising- on the longest hills in the Southern Rockies, I rarely had to drop below 100 km/hr (60 mph) and the engine would haul up most hills in cruise without effort or lagging.

The five speed is the most preferable option for me because it allowed for the greatest flexibility in driving style- in the mountains I could gear down on very steep hills, in the city I could up shift quickly for fuel efficiency (23 mph generally) or hold the shift for acceleration into higher rpms (the Element redlines at just above 6000 rpms).

Power is not overwhelming, but the lack of vroom-vroom is more than compensated by the generous torque in the engine's powerband. This vehicle is the first Honda I have driven where low-torque is not an issue, it pulls very adequately throughout the powerband, and especially in the lower range (where any SUV should).

The shifter is located under the stereo on the dash and is perfect-after driving this way for two months, five on the floor seems dead wrong and stupid, especially given the space that is freed up between driver and front-seat passenger.

Fuel and Efficiency

The Element will run at about 23 mpg when broken in (much less on the first few tanks). The tank holds about 50 litres of fuel (about 11 gallons) and as a result the driving range is somewhat less than other Honda products like the Civic. One good feature is that the Element takes regular fuel, a big saving on long trips.

Ride, Ergonomics and Aesthetics

The Element has been criticized for its choppy ride. It is bumpy on rough pavement and it does get buffeted by crosswinds, but this behaviour is typical of many trucks and should not deter a prospective owner. It does have an incredibly tight turning radius and car-like handling.

The Element is based on the Civic platform and despite the extra weight and higher centre of gravity, pretty much retains much of that Civic like quality and responsiveness. The shorter wheelbase is the key here and makes up a lot for the indignities that cross-winds and/or potholes might visit on driver and passengers.

One of the best features of the Element for me is its headroom. As a tall person, I have at least six to eight inches clearance sitting upright in the seat and this translates to an even more advantageous view of the road through the windshield ahead. I had never realized that in most cars, my eye-level view was largely cut-off by the top of the windshield. Coupled with its height, (Elements are slightly taller than CRVs), the view out the front is outstanding.

Rear visibility is limited by the seats and backing up is kind of a white cane affair at first, but once you understand you are parking a box on wheels, parallel manoeuvers become a snap.

The 2006 model (despite the Epinions thumbnail that accompanies these reviews) does not have the black polymer side panels of previous years. As a result, the new Elements do look a lot different, and judging from reactions, a lot better and less tonka-toy like with single colour side panels throughout.

The interior fit and trim in my silver Element is outstanding: titanium grey throughout the cabin with blue accents on the doors and dash. Very cool and light colours (I had originally wanted black on black but given the summer heat, greys and blue rule!).

Summary:

I haven't had a chance to use the AWD capabilities of the Element yet, but given I live in a community which is largely snowbound four months of the year, I suspect I will learn to appreciate its virtues this winter.

This is largely a love-it or hate-it vehicle (My family loves it). It is this generation's equivalent of the VW bus- highly functional, fun and flexible but quirky and oddball in its styling.

I do encourage prospective buyers to thoroughly evaluate the vehicle inside and out before passing judgement. Many people are genuinely surprised by how spacious and comfortable a little cube SUV can be.