Honda Element review. Pros and cons of Honda Element

Description of the model of this generation

The Honda Element SUV borrowed a lot from its fellow compact crossover CR-V: platform, suspension, engine. And yet the crossover has acquired its own features. For example, the body turned out to be much smaller, but higher, which allowed the manufacturer to talk about the high maneuverability and spaciousness of the Honda Element.

Specifications

The technical characteristics of the Honda Element changed only once and, of course, for the better – after the 1st restyling.

Engine and modifications

The Element crossover was produced in a modification with only one branded power unit – i-VTEC (“aspirated”) of the K series. The same engines were installed on the model of a compact crossover CR-Vsupplied to Russia officially.

• Engine 4-cylinder, 2.4 l, 162 hp
• Located in front, transversely.
• Torque – 220 Nm at 4.5 thousand rpm.
• Maximum speed – 185 km / h.
• Acceleration – 9.5 s.
• Fuel consumption – 9 liters on the highway, 14 – in the city.
• The power system is multi-point injection.

The latest configurations of the Honda Element (since 2006) were equipped with a 166-horsepower modification of this engine.

• Torque – 218 Nm at 4 thousand rpm.
• The maximum speed is 177 km / h.
• Acceleration – 9.8 s.
• Consumption – in the combined cycle 11.8 liters (in the city -13.1, on the highway – 10.2 liters).

The Honda Element SUV is equipped with Real Time front or all-wheel drive. The latter is connected when slipping (torque is distributed through a multi-plate clutch).

A reliable hydromechanical “automatic” and 5MKPP can be found both in the Honda Element configuration with 2WD and 4WD. At first, the Honda Element was equipped with a proprietary 4-speed automatic transmission, later (in 2007, after the 1st restyling), crossover configurations with a 5-speed automatic transmission appeared.

Chassis

The Honda Element platform is branded, the same for the Honda C-RV model (however, the body is much smaller in width and length, only more elongated in height). The suspension was also taken from the C-RV, but redesigned for an aggressive operating environment:

• suspension strut front with triangular wishbone and stabilizer bar;
• rear wishbone, stabilizer bar, shock absorber and coil spring.

Brakes until 2006 front and rear disc.

The ground clearance of the Honda Element equipped with a more powerful engine is only 17.5.

Body: appearance and dimensions

The Japanese crossover Element is easily recognized by the large decorative panels made of composite on the bumper and fenders (only on 2003-2005 models). The latter can be called a bold decision, but not without meaning – the plastic made it possible to reduce the weight of the Honda Element and, accordingly, fuel consumption, reduced the susceptibility of the crossover to corrosion, dents and scratches (they were installed exactly in those places that rust in the first place and turn out to be damaged). And yet, soon the manufacturer partially abandoned the plastic elements on the body of the Element (after the 1st restyling, there were significantly fewer unpainted plastic plates in the exterior).

Honda’s SUV is also famous for its specific “cubic design”. The body of the Element has a clear rectangular shape, it is echoed by small exterior details – rectangular headlights, a wide front bumper, a strictly vertical line of the tailgate.

The design is reinforced with stiffeners (apparently to compensate for the presence of plastic elements in the body).

Crossover Honda Element – 5-door. Moreover, the rear doors are shortened and open in an unusual way – in the opposite direction. Together with the front ones, they represent a swing mechanism that opens the entire doorway of the crossover (and there are no usual fences in the center – door pillars). But first you have to open the front ones, otherwise the rear passengers will not get out of the SUV.

The carrying capacity of the Honda Element crossover is 800 kg, another 2 tons can be transported in a trailer. On the roof you can fix and transport a tent or boat.

In terms of dimensions, the Element crossover is presented on the secondary market in two versions:

1. models 2003-2005 produced with dimensions 430×178.8×181.6 (length X width X height, in cm), wheelbase – 257.5, ground clearance – 20.5;
2. 2006-2011 (Element after the 1st restyling) – 431.5×181.9×178.8, wheelbase – 257.6, ground clearance – 175.

The front and rear track for all versions of the Honda Element is the same – 157.7 and 158.2.

Tire size – R16, with the advent in 2007 of a new configuration Element – R18.

Salon: space and decoration

In the cabin of the Honda Element, due to the small width of the body, only 4 people can freely fit, and the rear sofa is divided exactly in half (the model “does not pretend” to be a 5-seater SUV).

The lack of space in the crossover is compensated by its ability to transform: the front and rear seats fold into the floor of the SUV (comfortable when traveling long distances). Of all 4 chairs, you can make a semblance of a bed if you fold them “on the floor”.

Although the luggage compartment of the Honda Element is already roomy (in the initial version 710 liters, in SUVs made in 2006-2011 – 736), Japanese engineers have provided another opportunity to increase the volume to 2.2 cubic meters. m. To get more space, the backs of the rear seats of the Element recline flush with the seat and the seats are placed vertically along the inner walls of the crossover using a special mechanism (they are detached from the floor and fastened with carabiners). This frees up the entire rear space of the car to carry any large cargo in the crossover, for example, two bicycles for adults, surfboards, a peak bike, a small ATV.

There are pleasant little things in the interior of the Honda Element: pockets, a shelf for documents, an awning for storing small things under the ceiling, a tailgate (it is also the lower part of the tailgate). The board is provided for convenient loading and unloading, but is also used as a road table. The upholstery fabric on the Honda Element chairs is waterproof and easy to clean. Durable polyurethane flooring that is easy to clean from dirt, grit and spilled drinks.

The steering wheel of the Honda Element in configurations up to 2005 is on the right. The dashboard is simple. The radio in the Japanese crossover is installed with a subwoofer.

Video

Options and cost

Basic version Honda element was originally grade DX. However, in 2005, the simplest version of the crossover was discontinued, and in the future the car was produced in only two versions:

• EX, which had cruise control, a CD player, and an adjustable steering wheel for height and reach. A navigator, CD changer and cassette player were optionally available;
• LX, featuring improved seats and an armrest for the front passenger.

In addition, all-wheel drive models received the same configuration with a glass sunroof. And since 2007, the Honda Element has received a new modification called the SC or “city cruiser”. Its main difference was the updated bumpers and wheels with a diameter of 18 inches. The version was produced only with front-wheel drive, was 23 cm higher than the rest of the Element series crossovers and spent a little more fuel. Another feature of the SC configuration was the luggage compartment increased by 26 liters – although with the seatbacks unfolded, the volumes of all options turned out to be the same.

Tab. 2. Basic equipment of the latest versions of Element.

Modification	Motor	Drive unit	checkpoint	Cost in the secondary market, rub.
EX 2WD	2.4 l / 166 l. With.	anterior	5-automatic transmission	450–650 thousand
LX 2WD
SC 2WD AT
SC 2WD MT	5-speed manual
EX 4WD MT	full
EX 4WD AT	5-automatic transmission
LX 4WD AT

You can buy a Honda Element in 2016 and 2017 only in the secondary market – and, as a rule, with high mileage. Although the condition of the car may vary markedly. As the review of offers shows, prices start at 450 thousand rubles for newer versions (2010-2011). Models released earlier can be purchased even for 300 thousand rubles.

Video Honda Element: reviews, test drives

Honda Element, 2003

Honda Element is designed not only for people with an active image, but also for people with disabilities. Here’s what I’ll tell you, this car does not limit the ability of people to live independently and does not require someone’s help to load the wheelchair yourself, the most interesting thing is that the rear seats can be raised, unfolded and turned into one big bed from the cabin, which is very good for nature , it is very different in appearance from other cars, very original, small in appearance, but simply huge inside. Honda Element does not “eat” much gasoline, although the “engine” is not weak, economical and practical for all categories of citizens.

AdvantagesA: reliable, practical, useful for people with disabilities.

Flaws: large front pillars interfere with side visibility.

Stanislav, Abakan

car interior

The cubic shape of the Honda Element made it possible to increase the volume of not only the luggage compartment, but also the cabin. Inside the crossover there is enough space for the driver and passengers of any height. However, due to the small width, only 2 people can fit in the back row – especially since this seat is divided exactly in half. To increase the comfort of a trip on such a car, such interior details allow:

• pockets in the doors and a shelf for documents;
• high-quality finishing materials in any configuration of the crossover;
• waterproof upholstery of the seats, thanks to which they are not afraid of either liquid or dirt.

Continuing the review, it is worth returning to the rear seats. Their difference is the original way of folding, if necessary, to increase the trunk. When folded, the seats can be completely removed from the passenger compartment, providing even more space and a flat floor. The maximum volume of the cargo compartment in this case reaches 2.2 cubic meters. And the polyurethane flooring allows you to place even wet and dirty windsurfers or bicycles in the trunk without fear of causing serious damage to the interior.

Honda Element – car overview

Honda Element / Honda Element

The Honda Element is a compact SUV manufactured by Honda at its East Liberty, Ohio plant in the United States. Official sales began in 2003 in the US, Canada and Japan. The “Element” is based on the Honda CR-V, but in a completely different, cube-like body design concept. It is shorter by 300 mm, the wheelbase is reduced by 43 mm, higher by 198 mm and the front wheel track is already 43 mm. The used chassis from the CR-V has undergone a major upgrade, and since the Element does not have a central pillar, it has reinforced connections, sills, and additional stiffening ribs, five on each side, including the rear doors. The Honda Element is produced both in a front-wheel drive version, and it can also have a plug-in all-wheel drive. This system automatically turns on all-wheel drive when the front wheels slip. Honda Element is not officially supplied to Russia.

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