Undoubtedly, the Honda Element has a quirky appearance—sort of like an infant elephant on skates. However, despite its unusual by American standards proportions and big cabin space, the SUV’s chassis really feels remarkably stable and nimble.
In This Article...
AWD System
The “Real-Time 4WD” sticker on the rear liftgate is the easiest method to recognize an AWD Element. Additionally, the front-wheel-drive variant did not have a rear sunroof through the 2008 model year while the all-wheel-drive version did. The litmus test, though, is to check for a driveshaft and a rear differential under the chassis. The Element is front-wheel-drive out of the box, hence the standard model is devoid of a driveshaft, transfer case, and rear differential. The four-wheel-drive Element’s differential, which is located directly in the middle of the axle and protrudes from the bottom of the axle tube, is practically hard to notice from the rear because the base model’s rear axle is perfectly flat on the bottom. A four-wheel-drive Element has about 7 inches of ground clearance, so you should have enough room to observe what’s going on underneath.
Are all Honda vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive?
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.
How many wheels do Honda Elements have?
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).
Can a Honda Element handle snow well?
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.
How does the Honda Element’s AWD function?
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.
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 distinguishes 4WD and AWD from each other?
In contrast to AWD, 4WD locks the front and rear driveshafts together while still sending power to both the front and rear axles. This indicates that the power applied to the two axles is equal. As a result, the car has more traction when driving off-road in muddy, snowy, or sandy conditions.
What is a Honda Element’s typical lifespan?
The quick answer to “how long will a Honda Element last?” is as follows: With proper maintenance and prudent driving, the Honda Element may endure between 250,000 and 300,000 miles, which is the equivalent of 1520 years of service.
How long does a Honda Element typically last?
Here is a succinct explanation of how long a Honda Element will last: The Honda Element was designed to be durable and can endure for between 250,000 and 300,000 miles, which, with proper upkeep and prudent driving, translates to 1520 years of service.
How fuel-efficient is a Honda Element?
For instance, the 2004 4 Cyl. SUV 4D EX 2WD gets a combined gas mileage of 23.5 miles per gallon, whereas the 2009 4 Cyl. SUV 4D EX 4WD trim model has a combined gas mileage of 20.5 miles per gallon (10.1 liters per 100 km) (11.6 liters per 100 km).
Depending on the trim and model year, the Honda Element’s city fuel economy ranges from 11.2 miles per gallon (11.2 liters per 100 kilometers) to 13.1 miles per gallon (13.1 liters per 100 kilometers) and its highway fuel economy ranges from 23 miles per gallon (9.0 liters per 100 kilometers) to 26 miles per gallon (10.2 liters per 100 kilometers).
For hybrid automobiles, the gas mileage displayed is the miles per gallon equivalent.
A Honda Element is what kind of vehicle?
The Honda Element is a small crossover SUV that was produced by Honda and sold in North America from model years 2003 to 2011 during a single generation. It is distinguished by its boxy exterior appearance with bi-parting side doors and its boxy, adaptable interior design.
The second generation CR-V chassis, with front-wheel or all-wheel drive, was upgraded and used in the production of the East Liberty, Ohio-based Element. Production reached a peak of about 325,000 by late 2010, just before it was stopped. [5]
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.
Honda Element off-road capability
You need all-terrain tires if you wish to travel off-road, and these tires are not all-terrain. However, due to the vehicle’s weight and shape, the Honda Element will still handle reasonably well in snow or off-road situations. The Element will amaze you along with the front-wheel drive and traction control.
Are repairs for Honda Elements expensive?
Cost. Compared to an average of $521 for compact SUVs and $652 for all vehicle types, the total yearly cost of repairs and maintenance for a Honda Element is $491.
Does a Honda Element allow for sleeping?
Honda Element, our car One choice is to flatten down every seat so it may be used as a bed. Although it’s quite easy, I find sleeping with the curves of the chairs to be a little unpleasant, especially if I’m sleeping for a long period of time. Therefore, we made the decision to fold the backseats to the side and put a thin Ikea mattress on the ground.
Are there any transmission issues with Honda Elements?
It’s well known that the Honda Element has transmission issues. In actuality, this is one of the most prevalent automotive problems. Many drivers have stated that transmission failure forced them to tow their Elements.
The 2007 Honda Element has received the most reports of transmission issues.
AWD or 4WD—which performs better in snow and ice?
When necessary, all-wheel-drive systems automatically apply torque to all four wheels or deliver power to all four wheels simultaneously. All-wheel drive is therefore recommended for navigating icy and snowy routes.