Acceleration
4/10
Element has adequate power, though it's slow to gather speed from a stop. The automatic transmission is smooth, helping to extract the most from the engine.
Fuel Economy
5/10
In Consumer Guide testing, an SC averaged 22.6 mpg. Element uses regular-grade gas.
Ride Quality
4/10
Comfort depends on where you sit. Rear occupants nestle between the wheels and thus endure marked chop and thump over bumps. Front-seaters are more comfortable, but the ride still can be stiff and jiggly on patchy pavement and washboard surfaces. SCs are particularly rough, due to their sport suspension and 18-inch tires. All have decent body control over large humps and dips.
Steering/Handling/Braking
5/10
Nimble for a tall box. All Elements corner with little tippy feel, but their slab-sided body is subject to crosswind wander at highway speeds. SCs are more agile, with less lean and more grip. Traction is better with AWD than front drive, but the system is slow to send power to the rear wheels when the fronts slip. On several test models we detected a clunking noise when power was transferred to the rears. Routine braking is OK, though not all testers like Element's pedal feel.
Quietness
4/10
Tire noise is evident on coarse pavement, and Element's boxy design is subject to intrusive wind rush at about 65 mph. SC's performance-oriented tires contribute to elevated road noise, even at low speeds. The engine sounds gruff at full throttle and turns buzzy at highway speed.
Controls
6/10
Element has simple, convenient climate and audio controls. Hooded gauges are hard to see in some light conditions, and are partly obscured for tall drivers by the steering wheel. No opportunity to evaluate the navigation system.
Details
5/10
Cabin materials are utilitarian but show good assembly quality.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (Front)
6/10
Ample room, but hard seat padding is not conducive to long-haul comfort. The SUV-tall driving stance and short nose offer a panoramic feel, but the roof pillars slice into visibility aft and over the shoulders. The front doors open wide, but are long for tight parking spots.
Room/Comfort (Rear)
6/10
A lower step-in height than most compact SUVs eases all-around entry and exit. Headroom is only adequate for six-footers, but legroom is ample even with front seats set fully aft. The rear bench suffers even skimpier padding than the front seats, and its undersized cushion and backrest further detract from comfort. The rear doors open 90 degrees and leave a wide entrance, but are difficult to reach and thus close from the rear seat. Industrial-look rubber flooring can become slick when wet.
Cargo Room
8/10
With the seats suitably arranged, Element can tote a 10-foot surfboard or sleep two adults who are less than 5-feet-9 inches tall with the hatch closed. There's a useful 25 cu ft of cargo space behind the split rear bench, whose sections stow quickly but are difficult to remove or install. Cabin has loads of nooks for small stuff. Screw-in legs transform the lift-out rear cargo floor into a small table.
Value Within Class
6/10
Element isn't so much an SUV as a motorized gear tote for "active-lifestyle" types. It sacrifices some convenience to rear doors that don't open independently of the front doors. Neither posh comfort nor serious off-roading are on its agenda either. It is, however, a roomy and adaptable little wagon with Honda's expected solid workmanship.
Highlights
The 2010 Honda Element gets a new "Dog-Friendly" option package. This box-like compact SUV seats four and has rear-hinged rear side doors that don't open independently of the front doors. The only engine is a 166-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder that teams with a 5-speed automatic transmission. The manual transmission has been discontinued. Maximum towing capacity is 1500 lb. Element comes in LX, EX, and sport-themed SC trim levels, and all are available with front-wheel drive. LX and EX also offer all-wheel drive. The Dog-Friendly option package is exclusive to the EX and includes equipment that makes for easier and safer transportation of a canine, such as a cargo-area pet bed, a cargo-area ramp for pet entry and exit, and all-weather floormats. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. The rear seat divides into two 30-lb sections that swing up or remove. SCs have a lowered sport suspension, 18-inch wheels, specific front styling, and unique trim. A voice-activated navigation system with rearview camera is available on the EX.
Competition
Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Among utility vehicles, Compact SUVs are typically the least costly and offer the best fuel economy. Most utilize a car-type chassis and are not designed for heavy-duty, off-road use. Nearly all are 5-passenger vehicles; some offer seating for 7.
Our Best Buys are the Honda CR-V and Volkswagen Tiguan. Our Recommended picks are the Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute, Mercury Mariner, Subaru Forester, Suzuki Grand Vitara, and Toyota RAV4.
New or significantly redesigned models include the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, and Mitsubishi Outlander.