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2009 Honda Element Review

March 19, 2009

STYLING | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

One of the most distinctive and useful shapes on the road
Edmunds

Honda has retooled its Maytag-square Element to be more urban-hipster chic
Car and Driver

Simple, convenient climate and audio controls
ConsumerGuide

There's nothing else quite like the Honda Element on the road today, which makes this hard-to-categorize offering from Honda one of the ultimate niche vehicles. While you would be hard-pressed to call the 2009 Honda Element any adjective approaching attractive, it's difficult to argue with its versatility-enhancing design elements.

Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com appreciate the 2009 Honda Element for what it is—although putting your finger on exactly what the Honda Element is can prove difficult. Edmunds describes the Honda Element as "a compact, car-based SUV that comes in three trim levels: regular LX, the upgraded EX and the special SC." The 2009 Honda Element falls somewhere between the small crossover/SUV/minivan segments and boasts an upright, boxy shape. The exterior receives some minor updates for 2009, and Car and Driver observes that "Honda has retooled its Maytag-square Element to be more urban-hipster chic, with a lower ride height, bigger wheels, and body-color bumpers." Motor Trend reviewers note that "the most obvious change to the 2009 Honda Element is right up front, where the grille has been restyled to mimic Honda's new bold chrome ring look first seen on the redesigned 2009 Honda Pilot," although they are thankful that, "other than the fresh nose, the Element's easily recognizable look and shape remains." Though the new styling elements are relatively minor, Autoblog finds them significant enough to report that "the new Element is certainly an improvement over the outgoing model, at least in the looks category."

Not all reviewers—or consumers, for that matter—love the styling of the 2009 Honda Element, but TheCarConnection.com agrees with Edmunds when they declare that the Honda 2009 Element "remains one of the most distinctive and useful shapes on the road."

The interior of this Honda 2009 Element, like the exterior, receives little in the way of styling changes. Reviewers generally appreciate the virtues of the Honda Element's interior, as ConsumerGuide praises the "simple, convenient climate and audio controls." Other reviewers agree that the interior layout is functional, and that functionality is joined by some new styling elements for 2009. Autoblog reports that "the Element's interior includes new color combos, titanium-look accents, and switchgear designs," while Cars.com notes the availability of "a new three-compartment overhead storage unit" on the EX and SC trims. The only major complaint regarding the interior comes from ConsumerGuide, which points out that the "hooded gauges are hard to see in some light conditions, and are partly obscured for tall drivers by the steering wheel."

Conclusion

The 2009 Honda Element wins over practical fashionistas with its quirky styling and practical interior.

STYLING | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:One of the most distinctive and useful shapes on the roadEdmundsHonda has retooled its Maytag-square Element to be more urban-hipster chicCar and DriverSimple, convenient climate and audio controlsConsumerGuide There's nothing else quite like the Honda Element on the road today, which makes this hard-to-categorize offering from Honda one of the ultimate niche vehicles. While you would be hard-pressed to call the 2009 Honda Element any adjective approaching attractive, it's difficult to argue with its versatility-enhancing design elements. Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com appreciate the 2009 Honda Element for what it is—although putting your finger on exactly what the Honda Element is can prove difficult. Edmunds describes the Honda Element as "a compact, car-based SUV that comes in three trim levels: regular LX, the upgraded EX and the special SC." The 2009 Honda Element falls somewhere between the small crossover/SUV/minivan segments and boasts an upright, boxy shape. The exterior receives some minor updates for 2009, and Car and Driver observes that "Honda has retooled its Maytag-square Element to be more urban-hipster chic, with a lower ride height, bigger wheels, and body-color bumpers." Motor Trend reviewers note that "the most obvious change to the 2009 Honda Element is right up front, where the grille has been restyled to mimic Honda's new bold chrome ring look first seen on the redesigned 2009 Honda Pilot," although they are thankful that, "other than the fresh nose, the Element's easily recognizable look and shape remains." Though the new styling elements are relatively minor, Autoblog finds them significant enough to report that "the new Element is certainly an improvement over the outgoing model, at least in the looks category." Not all reviewers—or consumers, for that matter—love the styling of the 2009 Honda Element, but TheCarConnection.com agrees with Edmunds when they declare that the Honda 2009 Element "remains one of the most distinctive and useful shapes on the road." The interior of this Honda 2009 Element, like the exterior, receives little in the way of styling changes. Reviewers generally appreciate the virtues of the Honda Element's interior, as ConsumerGuide praises the "simple, convenient climate and audio controls." Other reviewers agree that the interior layout is functional, and that functionality is joined by some new styling elements for 2009. Autoblog reports that "the Element's interior includes new color combos, titanium-look accents, and switchgear designs," while Cars.com notes the availability of "a new three-compartment overhead storage unit" on the EX and SC trims. The only major complaint regarding the interior comes from ConsumerGuide, which points out that the "hooded gauges are hard to see in some light conditions, and are partly obscured for tall drivers by the steering wheel." ConclusionThe 2009 Honda Element wins over practical fashionistas with its quirky styling and practical interior. 2009 HONDA ELEMENT STYLING | [7 out of 10] Edmunds: "One of the most distinctive and useful shapes on the road" Car and Driver: " Honda has retooled its Maytag-square Element to be more urban-hipster chic" ConsumerGuide: "Simple, convenient climate and audio controls" There's nothing ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Scion's xB is a capacious, convenient vehicle, but has recently grown bigger and heavier (some 600 pounds greater than before), diluting its nimbleness; with that extra weight, its more powerful 2.4-liter engine delivers lower fuel economy without much more impressive performance than the former 1.5-liter. The Mazda5 is probably the Element's fiercest competitor in terms of value and convenience, though its minivan silhouette might make it a no-go for some. Finally, Kia's upcoming Soul promises a strong dose of fresh style in the mini-crossover market, though initial driving impressions rate it as somewhat less refined than the 2009 Honda Element. For those who love and need vans—especially small-business owners—the Ford Transit Connect arrives for the 2010 model year with a four-cylinder powertrain and a customizable rear cargo area.

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See the Honda Element in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003

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