Element

Vehicle: 2009 Honda Element SC-2WD
Price as tested: CDN$31690

Performance: When you first looked at the trim level “SC”, you would have thought this is the Element equips with a supercharge. Instead, this Element is only powered by Honda’s well-proven 2.4 DOHC i-VTEC normally aspirated motor. Even without the help of a supercharger, this Element has performed decently well given its 1640kg curb weight. With 166 ponies and 161 lb/ft of torque at driver’s disposal, this Element is a surprisingly responsive piece of box. 161 lb/ft of torque arrives at 4000rpm has provided decent amount of low-end grunt with the responsive throttle. On the other hand, it doesn’t lost any of Honda’s hallmark rev-happy nature thanks to the advanced i-VTEC variable valve timing. That makes 166 hp runs all the way rev past redline without any of the hesitation one expects from a “box on wheels”. The only gearbox that comes standard with any Element is the 5-speed automatic. As with any Honda automatic gearbox. The shifts are coordinated and willing to kick-down. It also have excellent final drive ratio for comfortable cruising and low enough 1st gear for willing pick-up.

Handling: Although the current Element is based on the outgoing CR-V chassis, in SC’s guise, it comes standard with front-wheel-drive instead of EX’s RealTime4WD variety. The Element remains a confident set of wheels. While we have never been a fans of Honda’s RealTime4WD due to its slip 1st, then detect slippage before AWD steps in to save the nasty. The FWD version has enough capability to handle poor weather confidently, especially with Honda’s excellent VSA with traction control. VSA is an excellent stability control that helps driver avoid all the nasty by correcting under or oversteers. That’s even with Element’s center-of-gravity, VSA combines with the careful calibrations of suspension and springs really given this box car lots of confidence through corners. It also makes Element more tossable and fun-to-drive than many of its peers. Its steering provides decent feel and feedback with right amount of precision. There remain plenty of body rolls and understeer does surface while entering the limits. Honda engineers managed to make Element a practical car that is equally fun without losing the ride comfort consumers are looking in a crossover. That begs a question. Does Element really need that RealTime4WD? That AWD would certainly be an extra line of defence during poor weather. But I would prefer a proactive instead of a reactive system.

Brakes: Our SC comes standard with 4-wheel discs and standard ABS. It all performs within the expectation of being a Honda. That means the brake pedal provides confidence-inspiring feedback and modulation, with proper stopping distance. On the other hand, ABS only steps in necessarily without unwanted intervention.

Interior: Everything else from the climate control unit to the instrumentation gauges have placed in logical Honda manners. While some of the plastic materials are somewhat hard, they have served Element’s purpose as a practical crossover particularly well. The suicide door has made access to the rear easier with a complete flat loading floor. The use of all plastic instead of carpet flooring have created a sense that the Element is for those who truly use the vehicle, instead of babying it.

Conclusion: The latest revision has made Element’s styling easier on the eyes, especially to the mainstream consumers. With the tasteful use of body kit and the addition of SC-2WD trim level also made it more appealing to those who don’t want the more luxurious EX with that so-called 4WD. In this time and age, when everyone is coming out with a “box car” from the entry-level Kia Soul to the upcoming Scions, Honda should take the credit as the innovator in this trend.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2009 Honda Element SC
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Performance: 3/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 3/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4.5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4.5/5
Value-for-money: 3/5

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Vehicle: 2003 Honda Element Package AWD with 4-speed automatic

Performance: Since Element shares the same platform as CR-V, it doesn’t come as a surprise that they also share powerplant. Its powered by a 2.4L i-VTEC which also found home in Accord sedan and upcoming TSX. With 160hp and 159lb/ft of torque, there is enough power to pull this car around. Although its maximum torque arrives at 4500rpm, it feels pretty torquery at lower rpm which can’t be say for RSX’s i-VTEC. Throttle response is decent. The 4-speed auto tranny is willing to up and downshift. The gear ratios are well-spaced. Its a good match for this engine. On the top rpm, it got the same character as other VTEC which is willing to breath and come up stronger as you push through the rpm.

Handling: Since Element shares the same AWD as CR-V, it got the same issue. Because most of the time its on FWD until it detects an offending wheel being slippery or stuck, the “real time” 4WD kicks in. Its not a confident-inspiring system that can take you to sandy beaches, as Element commercials suggested, to attract bikini women (except you want to stuck there to do “something” before roadside assistance arrives ). Element’s dynamic qualities are more than acceptable considered its target audience. There are enough on and off-center feel through the steering, similar to those found in CR-V. It provides enough driver communication for its target audience to be an outdoorsy. There are quite an amount of body rolls and understeer as I pushed through corners. However, they are all under well-controlled thanks to good tuning.

Brakes: The pedal feel is firm and solid. The brake pressure is easily modulated and threshold is easy to find. Overall, a decent system.

Interior: This has to be the biggest highlight of Element. There are enough configurations to impress bikini women you attract in sandy beaches, if they are patient enough for you to read through manual to figure out. On the other hand, Element’s center console is ergonomically layout since many of the switches are similar to those found in a CR-V. The knobs for climate control and stereo are very well layout and logical to use. Instrumentation gauges are clear and analog. As usual, you found some hard and cheap plastic abound the interior panels. There are plenty of storage space for its target audience’s “needs” when doing outdoor activities. While I am not too crazy about its seating upholstery that feels rougher than those use on garage bag, its actually a very durable type of material that’s easy to clean. Another area I am not particularly fond off its the lack of real carpeting in a car costing 28 grand. While the plastic floor mats are good for utilitarian outdoor vehicle like an Element, Honda should at least give a carpet choice for their customers. Suicide door is an unique touch, however, good luck getting out in a tight parking spot when there’s a large SUV parked beside you. In terms of accessibility, the clamshell tailgate is definitely not a suitable design since you have to reach to put cargo in or take stuff out. They should use the one-piece tailgate.

Conclusion: Element is a CR-V with different character. Its versatile interior should be something that appeal to many people. However, if you don’t really need to go to beaches every day. Take the FWD model because its cheaper and not as easy to stuck as AWD version, not that you absolultely need to take to beaches every time. BTW, I hope Element doesn’t mean “element of style”.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2003 HONDA ELEMENT Y PKG 4WD
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Performance: 2.75/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 2.5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4.25/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 3.25/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4.25/5
Value-for-money: 2.25/5

Overall rating: 3.5/5