Imagine a vehicle that combines the ruggedness of a Hummer with the style of a Mini Cooper. Sounds like an unusual pairing, but the result is actually pretty cool. The Honda Element is a boxy sport-ute that's fun to drive, versatile, and relatively inexpensive. It's based on the CR-V, but with significant differences in dimensions and design.
The Element's target demographic is the 22-year-old single male who loves extreme sports like surfing and snowboarding. This "Mr. X Games" is hip, social, well-traveled, and can afford a $17,000-to-$21,000 vehicle. Honda is aiming to lure this demographic with the Element's unique blend of style, functionality, and performance.
View Price on AmazonThe Element's dimensions are significantly different from the CR-V. It's a foot shorter in length, with a 1.7-inch shorter wheelbase, a 7.8-inch higher roofline, and a 1.7-inch narrower front track. The floor is about an inch lower, and it rides on a highly modified CR-V chassis. The lack of visible B-pillars is compensated by reinforced joints, strengthened lower side sills, larger crossmembers, and five bulkheads per side.
The Element's powertrain features Honda's i-VTEC 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 160 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 161 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. It's mated to either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission, both sourced from the CR-V. The Element's driving characteristics are surprisingly sporty, with a low floor, wide track, and stiff suspension that make it composed and easy to handle on sinuous back roads.
Source: caranddriver.com
