2003 Honda ELEMENT Review

Specifications

2003 Honda Element - An All-New Thought Process

Hondas Element isnt just all-new, but also requires those who buy it to undergo an all-new thought process. From its wacky two-box styling to its hose it out when it gets dirty urethane interior, the minivan cum SUV cum cargo van is a radical crossover.

Open up either side of its pillarless clamshell doors, which incidentally makes accessing the rear in a crowded parking lot near impossible, and two sets of collapsible seats can be folded flat and then tied up to each side. When in their upright positions they form a bench that can fit up to three with incredible legroom.

But for mothers who like to reach to the rear it will be frustrating, just ask my wife Jennifer. The only way she could get a toy or snack to the back was by pulling over and getting out. On the positive the seats double as a bed when the front ones are folded flat with those in the rear. Its not particularly comfortable but would suffice in a pinch.

The flooring is urethane, looking industrial strength and style. The obvious benefit is ease of cleaning with the drawback being childs cups, toys and peripherals noisily tossing around on the hard, flat loading floor.

Really, Honda has created the ultimate compact cargo van with fold down passenger seats. It reminds me of the work vans my dad used to bring home from his steel fabrication shop when we needed to get some yard work done. The Element would be ideal for this application. Its massive cargo area, exaggerated by a box-like shape and enhanced with a low lift over height to its stubby drop down tailgate makes loading and unloading almost any size object relatively easy.

About the only thing thats conventional is the driveline, pulled almost directly out of the CR-V. The 160-hp 2.4-L 4-cylinder engine is down by an imperceptible single foot pound of torque, delivering 161 lb-ft to the front wheels unless 4WD is ordered. The Element is slightly heavier than Hondas compact SUV too, which slows progress minimally.

To be fair it goes pretty well. Zero to 60 mph in front wheel drive Elements takes only 9.8 seconds, hardly neck-snapping but it wont hold up traffic in a highway merge lane. Accelerating in the 4WD model is less invigorating, reaching 60 mph in only 12.2 seconds. But it handles pretty well in either configuration, due to a fairly wide stance, independent suspension and P215/70R16 tires either mated to stylized steel wheels or 5-spoke alloys.

I found it easy to parallel park as well. Its power assisted steering is light at slow speeds plus its van-like visibility and short overhangs left me room to spare at either end.

But sitting up high isnt the only benefit offered by the contoured front drivers seat, its comfortable. Honda normally does a good job in this department, bolstering where necessary and supporting in all the right places. The seats are also covered in a rubberized fabric that looks like it will wear well and be easy to keep clean.

The cockpit that surrounds bucks the Elements radical trend, being actually a little more traditionally designed than Hondas CR-V. That model places its gearshift lever up close and personal next to the gauge cluster on the dash while the Element puts it lower on the center stack, still elevated when compared to the majority of vehicles lower console position. The dash itself is extremely attractive. Its dark gray plastic is high quality and soft to the touch, while a tasteful assortment of metallic bright work adds the technological edge anticipated by the outward design.

The Elements trio of primary gauges are large and round, each easy to read in any lighting condition. All controls are also logically laid out, with cruise control buttons integrated into the steering wheel if ordering the EX package.

But before I get into just what comes as optional equipment, standard features include filtered air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, power exterior mirrors, a height adjustable drivers seat, intermittent wipers front and rear, a 4-speaker AM/FM single CD audio system, and body-color dashboard trim.

By the way, dark gray is the only interior color while Eternity Blue Pearl, Flamenco Black, Galapagos Green Metallic, Satin Silver Metallic and the Sunset Orange Pearl of my test car are the exterior color choices. Five hues might not seem like a lot to choose from, but a few are at least distinct to this model.

Standard safety features include dual front airbags, 4-wheel disc brakes, halogen headlamps and ignition disable.

The only options on the base Element DX is an $800 4-speed automatic transmission and 4-wheel drive for $1,400 more, so if you want more goodies youll need to step up to the $18,650 Element EX. It adds remote keyless entry, cruise control, ABS brakes with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), alloy wheels and an upgraded 6 speaker 270-watt audio system with a subwoofer and auxiliary output for an MP3 player, but still only a single CD.

The top-line $20,850 Element EX 4WD adds a removable rear glass panel sunroof, a standard automatic transmission and of course, four-wheel drive. But still, the lack of a multi-disc dash-mounted CD changer is disconcerting, especially when considering the Elements primary target market, the young and restless college age and starter family buyer.

Its price however, even when fully loaded, is well within reach of this slightly less affluent crowd. In this range it has only one direct competitor, the Chrysler PT Cruiser. While packaged similarly though, its ultra-modern boxed styling is the antithesis of the swooping retro people hauler, making the Honda about as distinct as vehicles come.

And its this last point, styling, that will be the deciding factor of the Elements success or failure. Everyone I spoke with took polar viewpoints on its exterior design, with the majority confused. The good part has Honda shaking up the status quo, messing with our staid conceptions of just what is acceptable as an automotive shape. While odd it is fortunately cute, the kind of car that gets adopted and named.

And theres no denying its flexibility. My guess is the Element will find enough early adapters to make it financially viable, and these will be rewarded with an extremely functional conversation starter. Its long term success is anyones guess.