Honda Element 2004: The Weekly Driver Review

Considering the conservative, best-selling Accord, Honda stretched its
manufacturing boundaries substantially with the Element.

Since its debut in 2003, the vehicle has frequently been described with
two succinct comments: "It's ugly" and "It's a box with four wheels."

There's no disputing the Element has among the most conspicuous
appearances on the road. But good looks (or lack of good looks) are
subjective. More important, Honda doesn't make a car without a plan.

The Element was introduced as an urban utilitarian vehicle with hopes it
would appeal to younger drivers seeking pickup truck cargo space in an
enclosed area. The vehicle has attracted a young crowd to some
degree, but the average age of buyers to date is 43, according to J.D.
Power & Associates.

Regardless, Element owners are largely those who've sought a vehicle
with easy access to cargo areas for sporting equipment groceries,
luggage and work supplies.

In the first extended trek in my weekly test drive, I drove the four-wheel
drive EX model – one of three available options – on a 175-mile round-
trip journey to Berkeley, Calif. It had a 4-cylinder, 16-value, 2.4-liter, 160-
horsepower engine with a 4-speed automatic transmission.

I departed in a light late afternoon rain, drove into windy, clear skies and
returned late at night after intermittent showers made the interstate
surface slick. Considering the three different weather patterns, the
Element adjusted well and offered a comfortable drive. The car felt
secure on the road and it has near-panoramic visibility from the slightly
elevated driver's seat.

My vehicle had a silver metallic exterior and gray/blue interior, both
basic colors but complementary considering the vehicle's intended utility
use.

The interior design is straightforward with few gadgets, easy-to-use
ventilation, air-conditioning, heat and radio controls, and a nicely angled
transmission box and shifter. It's located on the lower dash, not between
the seats on a front console.

The two front doors open wide and have easy entry and exit. The side
doors open with an interior side door latch and only in combination with
the front door handle. The side doors also open to 90-degree angles
and that affords a massive amount of interior space for loading or
unloading the aforementioned needs of the utilitarian-type owners.

Another touted feature in the Element's multi-use theme is its scratch-
resistant, waterproof interior. Although I didn't test the claim, the vehicle's
cloth seats are designed to get wet as is the rubberlike floor covering.
There are tales of some Element owners hosing out their vehicles'
interiors after perhaps transporting muddy mountain bikes or wet
hunting dogs.

The vehicle's riding comfort and steering are satisfactory and its easy
maneuverability in tight positions is impressive considering its height
and shape. The vehicle isn't a luxury sedan, with its prominent road
noise level one sure measurement.

The EX, all-wheel drive model has also a rear-seat sunroof, air-
conditioning, cruise control, alloy wheels, ABS brakes, power windows
and CD player. Some of those options are available on other Element
models.

None of the automatic or manual transmission Elements have earned
particularly good acceleration marks. The EX model, as others have
noted, needed a full throttle to maintain its speed on a few medium-
grade inclines.

2004 Honda Element

Safety features -- Driver and front passenger front and side airbags, side
impact door beams, ABS brakes.

Fuel Mileage (estimates) -- 21 mpg (city), 24 mpg (highway).

Warranty -- Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Powertrain, 3
years/36,000 miles; Corrosion, 5 years/unlimited miles.

Base price range -- $16,100-$21,100.

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James Raia is a syndicated journalist in Sacramento, Calif., who writes
about sports, fitness and business topics as well as the free electronic
newsletters Endurance Sports News and Tour de France Times and The
Weekly Driver, a car review column.

Samples of Raia's writing can be viewed on his web site: ByJamesRaia.com.
His car reviews and newsletters can be viewed at The
Weekly Driver and
Endurance Sports News and Tour
de France Times

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