2005 Honda ELEMENT Review

Specifications

Element Targets the Young and Young in Heart

There is really nothing else in the American automotive market that looks anything like the Honda Element. It is unmistakable from the outside in. The Scion xB has a similar box-on-wheels silhouette, and the Nissan Cube, available in Japan, also shows comparable styling cues.

But since the Elements introduction in 2003, its quirky yet functional design continues to resonate well within a supportive market niche. For the 2005 model year it has been minimally altered inside and out, and receives three new exterior colors including Cargo Khaki, Magnesium Metallic, and Rallye Red. It also comes with a longer list of standard features to meet the needs of everyday drivers.

My tester included antilock brakes, cruise control, and front side airbags, plus an MP3 and WMA-formatted head unit with CD-R disc playback capability and a MP3/Digital media auxiliary input. It comes attached to a feisty 270-watt AM/FM/CD audio system with seven speakers and a subwoofer. In other words, its quite a safe and sound vehicle for all.

Speaking of all, I once again was picking up my temporary children from school. Being Monday, which is test car swap day, I told them that I would be fetching them in an “Orange Surprise,” and left it at that. As I entered the school grounds, I saw the kids pointing and smiling as I drove into the round-about to pick them up. “Cool, we get to go in the Element this week,” was one of their responses. One of them commented, “Its kinda weird looking from the outside, but I love the inside!” I would have to agree. To me, the Element is not the best looking crossover SUV to grace city streets, but I sure love the interior.

As soon as the little monsters settled in… well, they never really settled in because they were so excited about the rear seats and the many ways they fold. The Elements rear seats can contort 64 different ways; talk about karma sutra. Am I allowed to say that in front of the kids? Nevertheless, the munchkins were thoroughly entertained for the trip home. Who needs a DVD player when seats are as interesting as these?

Kids aside, the rear seats are very spacious and offer plenty of leg (38.0 inches) and headroom (39.1 inches). While driving some of my co-workers home, the generous interior space was pointed out once again. Even better, the seating is somewhat elevated, creating a stadium-like effect with great visibility out the front window, and added comfort.

Whats more, the urethane-coated utility floor is brilliant. Muddy shoes, dirty sports equipment? No problem, just wash it down. But a note from Honda, dont use a hose as its electrical system wont appreciate the excess water. Whats most important either way, however, is theres no need to fuss with the dollar-for-two-minute-industrial-strength-vacuum found at the gas station. I didnt have the opportunity to wash my test Element out because I didnt really dirty it up that much. Maybe next time.

Continuing with the interior theme, the upholstered seats are quite nice to sit in, back or front. The cabin also boasts a tight and ruggedly-finished instrument cluster and dash. The dash-mounted gear selector is conveniently placed for optimal shifting. My Orange Sunset Pearl-colored, or Tangerine Dream mobile as I liked to call it, came with a four-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission with lock-up torque-converter and grade logic program, linked to a 16-valve, DOHC, 2.4-liter, inline 4-cylinder engine with i-VTEC variable valve timing, which produced 160 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 161 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm.

Its a decent sized engine for the little SUV, providing adequate power for the hills and enough torque for engine braking. When needing more brake force, the ABS-enhanced front ventilated and rear solid disc system makes a lethal stopping combination. Hmmm… maybe lethal isnt the right slang to use when talking about brakes? Suffice it to say, they work quite well.

The standard audio system, complete with CD and MP3 capabilities and subwoofer as mentioned above, was not a disappointment. Tuning the system for whatever genre of music that was playing was quite easy. For the songs which required a little more bass, the subwoofer was turned up. Or, for easy-listening music, what I listen to to calm myself down after an afternoon at work or an outing with the kids, the bass was easily turned down. It is a good system, the makes the most of any type of music.

Enhancing the audio system was a well insulated cabin. The Element, while built for taking on the elements, didnt compromise on cabin quietness. Whether driving at highway speeds or on crowded city streets, the cabin is quite quiet, allowing the CD player to sound its best with minimal distortion.

The four-wheel independent suspension, comprised of independent struts in front and independent wishbones in the rear, made the Element agile but comfortable. The RealTime 4WD system added to the driving experience by enhancing traction. Again, my test week had minimal rain, but the system only kicks in when the sensors feel the standard P215/60R16 tires on 16-inch alloy wheels slip. This system, therefore, allows optimal fuel consumption in everyday driving, an estimated 21 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.

Not only does the Honda Element come with some great features like keyless entry, power front windows, power mirrors and doors, air conditioning, a removable skylight with tilt feature and five cupholders just to name a few, it also comes with a reasonable price tag. With the automatic transmission, 4WD system and a long list of upgrades, my fully-loaded tester has an MSRP of $21,725. However, the base model Element, with FWD and a five-speed manual gearbox comes in at a low $17,450.

So, if value, functionality and unique styling are on your credentials list for a reliable and comfortable vehicle, check out the Honda Element. Did I mention the rear seats fold in 64 different ways?