Although it has already been part of the automotive scenery for a few years, Honda's Element always and still gets the stares. Its original style leaves no one indifferent and each one's comments are never neutral. I was even surprised when someone in my circle of friends, who couldn't care less about cars, gave an opinion about my steed.
The test vehicle was equipped with the Y package and four-wheel drive. Its price: $30,700.
Appearance
It's true that this Element sticks out of the ordinary, and for those who
wish to set themselves apart from the rest of the herd, nothing could be better. Its silhouette is unique in the Canadian market (Scion, a Toyota division, offers a similar vehicle south of the border) and the colours that are offered render it even more eccentric. Fit and finish, inside and out, is beyond reproach. Certain plastics look a little toy-like, but no vibration noise or rattle was heard during the course of my test. Several people criticized the charcoal-coloured plastic wheel arches. You should know that certain versions are available with colour-keyed fender panels.
Mechanical
The engine's horsepower, a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder developing 156
horsepower and 160 lb-ft of torque, is sufficient in urban driving, but that's about it. If we ask the car to move a few passengers and their luggage around, the task seems tougher. Of course, the Element wasn't designed to offer breathtaking performance, but its driving pleasure would benefit from a little more power.
The 4-speed automatic transmission does an honest job at best. I remember having much more fun driving a manual-gearbox Element a few years ago.
As for the steering, it's not as incisive as I had hoped. It seems as though it requires a lot of input from the driver to change the vehicle's trajectory. It's not a big problem, but it's simply that its steering demands a little time to adapt. I was getting used to it just as I had to return the car after a week and over 800 km.
During my test, I didn't have the opportunity to go off-road. So, I will not comment on the RealTime four-wheel drive system.
Comfort
The Element's seats are comfortable on short to average distances, but
tend to lack support on long rides. Fatigue appears on the lower back area after an hour and a half. However, the high driving position and the angle of the windshield offer great visibility. You have to get used to the large front A-pillars, though.
The dashboard is typical Honda and easy to read. The controls are straightforward and there are numerous storage spaces. Only the handbrake and the front cupholders, located on the ground between the front seats, also need some adaptation. The radio controls are easy to manipulate, and the 270 watts of power are more than enough.
The test vehicle was equipped with the Y package and four-wheel drive. Its price: $30,700.
Appearance
It's true that this Element sticks out of the ordinary, and for those who
 |
| 2006 Honda Element Y-Package 4WD (Photo: Mathieu Germain, Auto123.com) |
Mechanical
The engine's horsepower, a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder developing 156
 |
| 2006 Honda Element Y-Package 4WD (Photo: Mathieu Germain, Auto123.com) |
The 4-speed automatic transmission does an honest job at best. I remember having much more fun driving a manual-gearbox Element a few years ago.
As for the steering, it's not as incisive as I had hoped. It seems as though it requires a lot of input from the driver to change the vehicle's trajectory. It's not a big problem, but it's simply that its steering demands a little time to adapt. I was getting used to it just as I had to return the car after a week and over 800 km.
During my test, I didn't have the opportunity to go off-road. So, I will not comment on the RealTime four-wheel drive system.
Comfort
The Element's seats are comfortable on short to average distances, but
 |
| 2006 Honda Element Y-Package 4WD (Photo: Mathieu Germain, Auto123.com) |
The dashboard is typical Honda and easy to read. The controls are straightforward and there are numerous storage spaces. Only the handbrake and the front cupholders, located on the ground between the front seats, also need some adaptation. The radio controls are easy to manipulate, and the 270 watts of power are more than enough.