2009 Honda Element User Reviews

Pros

Easy to Handle, Great Ergonomics Especially for Tall People

Cons

Blind spot on driver side, clamshell doors annoying, a bit bouncy

Purchased As New

I enjoy my Element, my favorites thing is the space compared to other vehicles, no more bumping my head getting in and out or straining my back to put stuff in the back. It's extremely easy to parallel park because of the great mirrors. It's a little awkward to get the back seats up and down because you have to pull the little belt and push the seat up (which is heavy) at the same time and it's sometimes difficult to get the latch on the holding bar and get it closed (I was sweating, lol). It's very responsive imo and so fun to drive. I am seriously thinking of getting another one, after I use this one up, it's just that great. The blindspot is something you have to look out for, a few times I almost hit people because the pillar between the front and side window COMPLETELY blocks a person from your sight that is crossing the street (say you are making a left turn and the person is crossing to your left and walking towards you) so you have to move your head a bit and really look to ensure no one is there. I personally think any driver purchasing one should be fully aware of this not find out while driving. Other than that it's great, easy to park, fits in compact spaces and decent on gas mileage....read morehide

Pros

Cargo Space, Realiability, Safety, High Visibility, Better MPG than my Carvaran

Cons

Seating for only 4

Purchased As New

I have been in the automotive consulting buisness for 25 years and always have been facinated with cars, I have seen them all that I decided to purchase an Element. No vehicle is perfect, but I can tell you that the E is very underated. The engineering folks at Honda took a 2001 protoype displayed at a car show and within 2 years it hit the streets. They REALLY listen to the skiers and surfers to the degree of adding the grey colored panels to the fenders.By doing this ,they created a perception to the customer that this is "ugly". However, times have changed and now that the panels are painted with a more uniformed body which makes it a better looking vehicle.The other day, I parked next to my neighbors 2009 Jeep Libery and the E won hands down in styling and forget about the rest..












































































The E is not a hot seller with Honda. But I purchase it because it met the criteria in the PRO section above. I took avantage of the cash for clunkers as a motivation and told my family to test drive the E. They loved it at first site and after 6 weeks of ownership, I sneek out to the driveway and quietly open and close the doors to look at the quality and the space that is has to offer. I drive a company car during the week which I love to death, but I ask permission to my wife to drive it on weekends. You already know from the previous reviews what this vehicle has to offer. The E is not for everybody, but many are missing the oportunity in owning one.

















































If you compare the E to others, you can say that this is the reborn model of the Izuzu Trooper who in the late 80's dominated the highways. It was purly utilitarian! Then they changed the model, jacked up the price by $8,000.00 and it never had the sales like the original trooper. (You do nto need to look hard to notice that the 2009 Honda Pilot has same looks as the last Isuzu model). The older Pilots had better looks.Take a look at the Land Rover LR4. Boxy, but with twice the price tag. Bring your paycheck for maintenance and repairs. The Jeep Rubicon is boxy as well, but more like a Hummer. The Nissan Rogue is a sales hit with Nissan, but you you take a look at it from all angles, no beauty at all. The CRV's is 7 inches longer then the E. However, the rear seats does not fold flat..


































































Regarding the seating for four, the engineers could have eliminated the cup holders and added cushion to provide for an additional rear passenger. All that is needed was to have a 3 point seatbelt on either side.You can put a lumbar support cushion and have a 5th passenger but it would not be legal since there is no seatbelt,. I would not encourage you to do this. But to me this is minor, since 95% of time my E will have only have two passengers. No biggie.







































































In essence, I would encourage America to take a look at the E. The vehicles that I presented above, do no have the utility, price, value that this vehicle has to offer.Underated or not, I am keeping mine untl it dies....read morehide

Pros

Versatility in the cargo are with rear seat arrangement. Great electronics.

Cons

Road noise

Purchased As New

Overall, one of the best vehicles I have owned. Granted, the Element is not a great looking vehicle. But for our needs it is great. We needed something that had utility. The versatility of the cargo area fit the bill. The gas mileage could be better, but overall have been averaging around 21 mpg on mixed driving. The radio/cd are great, as well as the mp3 player jack. The sound system overall is excellent. The performance is a little lacking. But then again I knew I was not buying a Vette. Is it great in comfort? No, but we were not buying a Lexus/Caddy. Is it a head turner? No, but again we did not buy a BMW. Overall for what it does, basic, common sense transportation with the ability to haul many things, we feel it is one of the best vehicles for the money....read morehide

Pros

Cargo space, folding seats, sound system, smooth ride

Cons

Gas Mileage, blind spots, arm rest to short on sc trim

Purchased As New

I picked my element up last week, was not really even looking for a car and ended up test driving this one and liking it very much. I've read a lot of people complaint about the road noise and bumpy suspension but don't feel that is an issue at all. I was mostly sold on how practical and spacious the car is. I plan on taking it on my snowboarding trips and really hope that it performs well in the snow as I have heard it does. Considering that it is a 4-cyl engine I am very surprised honda has not found a way to increase the fuel economy on this car. It is a box but it handles like a car, I had no problem adjusting to the driving coming over from a civic coupe. I'm sure much like other hondas this one will be a reliable car. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a beach car, camping car, road trip car or even an everyday commuter....read morehide

Pros

space, turns on a dime, comfortable ride

Cons

side doors can be cumbersome

Purchased As New

My husband and i love this car. We've taken it on long roadtrips, it handles well in Wisconsin weather (even though we don't have the 4X4), and it's great for camping trips. We skip the tent now. We just take out the back seats and sleep in the back. It does ride like a truck, but that's how we use it so it's fine. We've had it for 5 years, 90,000 miles on it and no problems....read morehide

Pros

Practical. Comfortable. It's a Honda.

Cons

Kind of strange looking... at first.

Purchased As New

I'm not sure when it happened, but at some point over the last twenty years a lot of "Sport Utility" vehicles sort of morphed into large "cars". Sure they have four wheel drive and the driver has an elevated position, but other than that, there doesn't seem to be much to distinguish most of them from the average sedan or station wagon.

Anyway, I went to the dealer fully prepared to buy a CR-V. I just happened to look at the Element, and slowly began to realize that this was the vehicle I ACTUALLY needed, despite its looks.

Good points are as follows: Rear seats come out and go back in easily, so it can function as a small truck/panel van when needed, and can still haul around four people at other times. Driver's visibility is excellent. It "tracks" the road better than any truck I've ever driven. Tight turning radius. Ride is not "soft" like with many SUV's, but offers the typical Japanese car "responsiveness". Plenty of power for the highway and zipping around town. Four wheel drive will be great for snow (which, if I'm honest, is all I ever really use 4x4 for anyway). Tough poly floor is great for my dogs, bikes, muddy boots, and spilled soft drinks. VERY easy to get into and out of, both through the sides and back. Gas mileage is significantly better than my old 4x4. Best of all... Honda built it, so you get the legendary quality and reliability that comes with that name.

In summary, I suspect that many people who would really like this vehicle probably never consider it because of its looks. Fact is, I am hard pressed to think of a more "utilitarian" sport-utility vehicle. This little box does a lot of things very well, and is a great choice for somebody who needs a truck, a car, and a dependable winter 4x4.... but only wants to buy one vehicle. If you can get past the unique looks, it's worth considering. Ironically, I'm finding that a lot of people actually like the way the thing looks. That's just a bonus....read morehide

Pros

Safe. Simplicity. Great Dog Car. Ride height makes it's driving view exceptional. Ease of parking

Cons

Loud. Needs more front seat legroom. Cup holders should be on dash. No driver sunroof.

Purchased As New

I own a 2004.

Very Safe. I was involved in a major accident on freeway and survived due to strength of car design.

Camp, haul everything with my Element.

I have done things that should have destroyed the interior and to this date shows no damage. Seats are water/stainproof. Have spilt coffee, crushed blueberries on them and they still look new. Any other car would look trashed.

Car's image needs improving. This is a better car then BMW's X3 or Landrover as a day to day car but it is not marketed correctly.

I have owned a lot of cars and this is the best car for functionality.

If Honda could redesign this car's exterior and keep the interior it would be a huge hit....read morehide

Pros

nice and ugly...

Cons

still looking

Purchased As New

i got it the first year it came out, there weren't even any on the showroom floor, this sales guy who was my friend says: "hey let me show you what we just got in...."....later that day it was in my garage, the suicide doors, large accesss, high ceiling, wide reach, and overall "ugly" appearance endeared itself to me immediately, well 6 years, a hale storm and 90 k miles later, i am still thinking it is my beautiful new car. It is the only car I have owned where people ask me questions, and i take pride in opening it up and demonstrating the seating etc. I proably have sold many without the commission.
don't know about the 23 mpg on highway, mine always frustrates me by consistantly getting 26 to 27....ha ha...love it...bye bye...read morehide

Pros

Cargo space, easy to clean, love the tail gate.

Cons

Gas mileage could be slightly better. Noise

Purchased As New

Purchase my 2004 Element new. I enjoy taking it to the beach, no better beach vehicle out there in my opinion. Load it up with all your stuff including surf board on top with special roof racks. Bicycles roll in standing up without having to take anything apart. Great for a business car as well, moved 30 by 60 desks from one location to another and can close the tail gate behind it. Plenty of room for moving file boxes from one location to another. I find the car confortable and I like the look of it, they say beauty is in the beholder. Oh did I say I love the tail gate, have had many enjoyable lunches sitting on my tail gate....read morehide

Pros

Lots of cargo room, low maintenance, solid soundsystem, fuel efficient

Cons

Suicide doors are a pain in tight spots

Purchased As Used

I bought my element specifically for hauling my hockey gear and my dogs and it excels at both. Plenty of room in the back with the seats folded up. The interior isn't pretty, but considerring that you can literally hose the inside out when its dirty, its pretty aweseome stuff. Its dependable and efficient and does everything I need it to. It doesn't ride like a Cadillac, but then its not supposed to. The Suicide doors are great if you have room around the vehicle but its difficult to get someone in the back seat if you're in a tight parking space. Other than that, its the most usefull vehicle I've ever owned. The only people that seem to complain are the ones who don't need a vehicle like this in the first place....read morehide