Reflections: The Honda Element

[Applejack]

I also am less than thrilled with the "real time 4wd" which in practice means you don't actually have 4wd until you start slipping. IMO that's too late - I want 4wd/AWD to prevent me from slipping in the first place!

Found that to be very bothersome. In low traction situations, momentum can be your best friend and real time 4wd or as i call it "sometime 4wd" is not seamless and sometimes allows for way too much slipping before engagement. We found it worked best when driving like a teenager, keep those front wheels spinning and the rears will spin too, but that can be hazardous to the cars health.

 

[Amy H]

I have a 2011 Element too. That was the last year they were made. After 3 days of ownership, I sadly realized the Element just wasn't going to do what I wanted it to do. I had planned on getting the Ecamper, but cancelled the order due to the low payload~only 675 lbs. And that gets maxed out with 4 people and little gear. I get 20 mpg in city and 24 mpg on hwy trips. The OEM rubber pet matts cut down on noise along with replacing the stock tires. The OEM two bar roof rack just doesn't cut it. I need mulitple tie down areas. The interior plastic scratches so easy but cleans up with a damp rag. The seats do turn into an almost full size bed which would make a great camper for two people. It makes a great daily driver and car camper but not for anything but paved road in my case. Gravel roads just want to destroy and mis-align the doors.

Just my two cents. And I am considering a JKU if I can just accept the mpg.

 

[pugslyyy]

We have an Element (my wife drives it) - very utilitarian vehicle that gets low gas mileage (all things considered).

For an around-town vehicle it does just fine, and the wash-and-wear interior is great for our big dog, hauling things to the dump, etc. We upgraded the interior by adding in the center console, but that was the only change (we have the base 4WD model).

It's fine for what it is, but noise/comfort/payload capacity don't make it a long distance vehicle and it certainly isn't an off-pavement vehicle.