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2010 Honda Element Review

October 12, 2009

STYLING | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

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

Simple, convenient climate and audio controls
ConsumerGuide

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

The 2010 Honda Element still makes a style statement that's unlike any other. Even for those who don't think the Element is attractive, it's hard to argue with the beauty of its stark functionality.

Most reviewers appreciate the Honda Element for its high-utility form, though it's tough to single out particular details. The 2010 Honda Element falls somewhere between the small crossover/SUV/minivan segments and boasts an upright, boxy shape. Last year the Element received a slight styling refresh, from which Car and Driver observes, "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." Edmunds declared that the Honda 2009 Element "remains one of the most distinctive and useful shapes on the road," and TheCarConnection.com's editors agree.

Slight styling changes were made to the Honda Element's interior for 2009, and those carry over for 2010. Changes are basically limited to slightly different trims, materials, and switchgear, though the basic interior design remains the same. Most reviewers appreciate the Element's style inside, as ConsumerGuide praises the "simple, convenient climate and audio controls." 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

Not everyone will agree that the 2010 Honda Element is good-looking, but style-conscious shoppers with an eye for utility will like what they see.  

STYLING | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:Honda has retooled its Maytag-square Element to be more urban-hipster chicCar and DriverSimple, convenient climate and audio controlsConsumerGuideOne of the most distinctive and useful shapes on the roadEdmunds The 2010 Honda Element still makes a style statement that's unlike any other. Even for those who don't think the Element is attractive, it's hard to argue with the beauty of its stark functionality. Most reviewers appreciate the Honda Element for its high-utility form, though it's tough to single out particular details. The 2010 Honda Element falls somewhere between the small crossover/SUV/minivan segments and boasts an upright, boxy shape. Last year the Element received a slight styling refresh, from which Car and Driver observes, "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." Edmunds declared that the Honda 2009 Element "remains one of the most distinctive and useful shapes on the road," and TheCarConnection.com's editors agree. Slight styling changes were made to the Honda Element's interior for 2009, and those carry over for 2010. Changes are basically limited to slightly different trims, materials, and switchgear, though the basic interior design remains the same. Most reviewers appreciate the Element's style inside, as ConsumerGuide praises the "simple, convenient climate and audio controls." 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." ConclusionNot everyone will agree that the 2010 Honda Element is good-looking, but style-conscious shoppers with an eye for utility will like what they see.   2010 HONDA ELEMENT STYLING | [7 out of 10] Car and Driver: " Honda has retooled its Maytag-square Element to be more urban-hipster chic" ConsumerGuide: "Simple, convenient climate and audio controls" Edmunds: "One of the most distinctive and useful shapes on the road" The 2010 Honda ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

The 2010 Honda Element doesn't fall into a clear class with direct competitors. It's a bit larger than most of the boxy cars we'd normally compare it to. Scion's xB is a capacious, convenient vehicle that's recently grown bigger and heavier (some 600 pounds greater than before), diluting its nimbleness, and the xB feels less roomy than the Element. The Kia Soul is a boxy hatchback that also appeals to shoppers looking for more cargo versatility, but it's significantly smaller. 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. One other prime rival for the Element would be the new 2010 Ford Transit Connect, a model that focuses on hauling cargo and small-business needs. Like the Element, the Transit Connect has an economical four-cylinder powertrain and reconfigurable interior.

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See the Honda Element in Other Years:

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

Comments (1 total)

  1. By Kim #1, Posted: 10/15/2009

    The thing about this vehicle that scares me is the fact that how will
    the driver remember that they have a dog in the back. It doesn't look
    like the dog can be seen and without the animal around you in the car
    I think people would forget and leave them in there from where they
    could end up maybe dying from heat etc. Is there a feature that will
    go off to remind you that there is a dog in the very back of this
    vehicle?

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