The Model X, which made its Detroit debut at the 2001 North American International Auto Show and was developed by a core group of Honda R&D engineers in 1998, served as the inspiration for the Element. The Model X’s style was influenced by a lifeguard station, with its roofline arched to resemble the curve of a surfboard. It was created as an activity-oriented vehicle with elements from a pickup truck and a sport utility vehicle[6].
The Element’s structure, which is distinguished by its four bi-parting side doors that open to offer a clear aperture of 55.5 inches[7], does away with B-pillars by strengthening and extending the side sills, floor and roof cross elements, and adding five bulkheads per side. When the rear door is closed, a hook and catch mechanism connects the reinforced vertical beam of the door structure to the body side sill, thereby forming a B-pillar. Only after the front doors can the rear-hinged side doors open. [7]
The production Element made its premiere at the 2002 New York International Auto Show[8] with an interior that had independently reclining and detachable back seats that stow. It also had stain-resistant fabric and TPO-coated textured urethane flooring.
For the model years 2007 through 2011, the four-cylinderi-VTEC2.4 Litre K Engine generates 166 horsepower (124 kW) at 5800 rpm and 162 lb-ft (220 Nm) of torque at 4000 rpm, and for the model years 2003 through 2006, it generates 160 horsepower (119 kW) at 5500 rpm and 160 lb-ft (217 Nm) of torque at 4500 rpm.
[9]
[10] Drive is available as front-wheel drive or, alternatively, all-wheel drive using a “Real Time 4WD” hydraulically activated on demand system that activates with front wheel slippage. The Element has a gross weight of 4450 pounds and a towing capacity of 680 kg, or 1500 lbs (2018 kg). [11]
The Element was expected to sell 50,000 in its first year,[14] however it ended up selling 67,478 units in the US.
[15] Just over 14,000 were sold in 2010. [5]
In This Article...
Has the Honda Element four-wheel drive?
The 2.4-liter, four-cylinder Honda i-VTEC engine powers the Element. It has a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission option for $800. All models are offered with either Honda’s Real Time 4-Wheel Drive or front-wheel drive (2WD) (4WD).
The Honda Element has four wheels or all four.
The Honda Element is available with either a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission and may be had with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
A 2004 Honda Element has four wheels, right?
Overview of the 2004 Honda Element used Both front wheel drive and all wheel drive are available on the used 2004 Honda Element. Four-speed automatic transmissions are among the options.
Can the Honda Element handle snow?
Surprisingly, the Element handles snow well. Its weight and form aid in maintaining the vehicle’s stability. This car’s front-wheel drive and traction control both help it avoid wheelspinning in slick situations. Use of the Element during the winter is secure and dependable.
Why did Honda discontinue the Element?
The first Honda Element made its appearance in 2003, distinguished from previous Honda models by a peculiar boxy frame. In order to compete with pick-up trucks and larger SUVs, it was designed to draw a younger, more adventurous demographic.
Fans noticed the interior’s complete customizability right away. Access to seats that can either be made into a bed or put against the sides for greater cargo room is made possible by the fold-out tailgate and the rear access doors.
The Honda Element eventually got more sporty modifications, like a better suspension and 18 wheels for off-roading. With the addition of a dog bed in the back and a fan plug to keep your adventurous pet cool, it also became more dog-friendly.
But there was one significant issue. The Honda Element was too pricey for its intended market of young adults (about 21). The fact that this SUV is ideal for moving, camping, and other activities was insufficient to persuade younger people to take out sizable loans for it.
So, regrettably, when the Honda Element was withdrawn in 2011, we believed we were saying goodbye to it forever.
Is Honda Element a reliable vehicle?
Honda Parts: Are They Reliable? The reliability rating for the Honda Element was excellent. The model received a reliability rating from RepairPal of 4.0 out of 5, placing it first among the 32 cars in its class.
What makes four-wheel drive superior to all-wheel drive?
AWD reduces some of the drama associated with driving on snow and ice. When dealing with severe snow and ice, 4WD is the way to go. Without a doubt, 4WD is superior if you also want to venture off the beaten path into the wilderness. Additionally, 4WD vehicles often have a far higher towing capacity than AWD vehicles.
What drives the Honda Element AWD?
A rear differential is added after a front-wheel-drive vehicle is built. Your Honda uses a multi-plate clutch mechanism to engage the rear differential when it detects that it is losing traction. The car is now driven by both the front and rear wheels, making it all-wheel drive. The Intelligent Control System, though, is another story. What’s the deal with that? When traction is less than ideal, a conventional all-wheel-drive system engages the back wheels mechanically. Real Time AWD’s Intelligent Control System is smooth and practically instantaneous in contrast to other AWD systems, which frequently have a significant lag before they go into action. When necessary, an electric motor on the transmission quickly and flawlessly engages the back wheels. You most likely won’t even realize anything has happened because it is so seamless. Real Time AWD is disengaged almost as rapidly, requiring less effort to move your Honda. Your Honda is more effective than other cars with mechanical AWD since it has Real Time AWD.
How long is the Honda Element good for?
The Honda Element is one of the most durable cars on the market. Some cars are built to last. In fact, before retiring an Element, you can normally anticipate getting between 250,000 and 300,000 kilometers out of it.
A respectable 15 to 20 years, given that the typical American travels 15,000 miles per year. But keep in mind that with regular maintenance, autos only last that long. If you want to get the most out of your Element, keep in mind these important maintenance tips:
- Replace air filters: Your engine air filter prevents dirt and other airborne particles from entering your engine. Maintaining clean filters is essential to preventing long-term clogging or engine damage.
- Rotate your tires: Over the course of their lives, tires and wheels deteriorate at various rates. By rotating them frequently, you can ensure that your wheels and tires remain in perfect condition for the duration of the life of your car, reducing the need for significant wheel repairs.
- In addition to making it more difficult for you to stop your automobile, worn-out brake pads might eventually harm your braking system. A simple method to be safe and keep your car in good condition is to change them frequently.
- Hoses and belts should be inspected because they are normally only rated for 60,000 miles. However, utilizing subpar belts can eventually result in engine harm. To avoid any serious engine block faults, replace them frequently.
These pointers ought to enable you to maintain your Element in prime condition for as long as feasible. The best method to ensure that your vehicle stays in excellent condition, however, is to spend money on a reliable auto insurance plan that will assist you in paying for the necessary repairs. Fortunately, the Jerry app can assist you in locating the lowest rates on the auto insurance coverage your Element requires.
Simply download the app, respond to a few questions, and Jerry will send you a list of customised quotations from more than 50 of the industry’s leading companies. When you locate a quote you like, Jerry may assist you in changing plans or even in terminating your current one. Users save $887 on average each year on vehicle insurance, and signing up simply takes a minute.
When did Honda Element production end?
We occasionally reflect on the past and discover that we made a regrettable error. As Bitcoin approaches its all-time high price, many people who chose not to invest in it early may be shaking their heads. Others believed that having endless rolls of toilet paper would be useful during the pandemic. And then there’s Honda, the Japanese automaker that undoubtedly regrets discontinuing the Element at a time when the market for off-road vehicles was about to take off.
The Element existed before boxy, small SUVs like the Kia Soul and Scion xB hit the market. Honda tried to appeal to young, energetic drivers with the Model X, a concept that was first conceived in 1998 and later unveiled (sorry, Elon). Its angular design was modeled after a lifeguard station, its roofline was curled to resemble a surfboard, and its lack of aerodynamics set it apart from SUVs of the time, luring young people who dared to be different.
Honda’s guiding principles of a lively, adventurous mood extended to the Element’s most underappreciated features in addition to the bi-parting front and rear doors. After a day of fun, you could wipe clean the entire interior thanks to the plastic flooring and stain-resistant seating. In contrast, the rear seats could be quickly and easily removed to provide 75 cubic feet of storage space for bikes, boards, and other items. Additionally, travelers could lay the front and back seats flat to make a platform for a bed.
Early Element models had peculiarities that, by today’s conservative automotive standards, seem unimaginable. The cargo space included a manual, detachable sunroof in the initial model year, allowing thin cargo to protrude from the top. Then there was the ECamper, an aftermarket addition that had a sleeping platform installed in place of the original roof, much like a vintage Volkswagen Westfalia. The Element provided a range of functionality that made it unique back then and still iconic now. All of the eccentricity, though, was not intended.
The Element, you see, was the ideal SUV in the incorrect circumstance. When sedans still ruled the automotive world, it rolled off the assembly line in 2002 but was decommissioned by 2011. Every so often, Honda updated the design, adding and removing trim levels, even embracing all-wheel drive. But during the course of its existence, Honda only sold 325,000 Elements. Comparatively, throughout a three-year period, the Toyota RAV4 sold more units.
What does the Honda Element’s SC stand for?
Variants of the Honda Element are available in LX, EX, and SC (for “Street Custom”) trim levels. While the SC only has front-wheel drive, the LX and EX both have front- and all-wheel drive.
What was the Honda Element’s successor?
Toyota Fit. Another Honda vehicle that incorporates the Element into a more streamlined form is the Honda Fit. For those who adore Honda but don’t want to hold on to the boxy form, this is a great option.