Honda eliminating boxy Element
December 4th, 2010
09:34 AM ET

Honda eliminating boxy Element

The Honda Element, popular with dog owners and some types of businesses, will be discontinued after the 2011 model year, American Honda Motor Co. announced Friday.

Introduced in December 2002, the Element started a trend of box-on-wheels design reflected in Toyota's Scion xB and Mitsubishi's Outlander, among others.

"The Element proved that ultimate functionality can often come from thinking inside the box," John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda, said in a press release. "It made boxy vehicle designs cool."

Edmunds.com gave the short-but-tall utility vehicle generally positive reviews.

"Behind that cubist philosophy is a level of versatility that sets it apart from many other small wagons and compact SUVs," the editors wrote of the 2011 model.

The Element was the subject of several recalls: 2003/04, ignition switch mechanism; 2007/08, braking system and stability module; and 2010, transmission shift cable.

Honda said it has sold about 325,000 Elements, but customers are increasingly attracted to crossover SUVs.

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Filed under: Auto Industry • Honda
soundoff (361 Responses)
  1. ShutDownGM

    It's hilarious how the losers who rag on the Element are always the same morons who are perfectly happy to waste their money on the crap Detroit churns out.

    February 14, 2011 at 5:11 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Alfonso

    As a person who is disabled and uses a wheelchir, I will really miss this vehicle. It the best car I have had regarding the ability to fold up my wheelchair, put it behind th driver's seat (with the suicide access back door), and drive a way. I'm freaking out that it is to be discontinued!

    March 30, 2011 at 9:04 am | Report abuse |
  3. Woodman

    I will admit that the Honda Element is something that has to grow on you, but once you get to know the Element, you just love it. I brought my Honda new in 2007. I like that Honda engineers made all-wheel drive and standard transmission available options for the Element. I think the standard tranny and a peppy four cylinder REGULAR gas engine makes it a really fun functional car to drive. I wish the engineers could have come up with a better design for the rear doors that would have made it easier to get in and out without having to open the front door. Maybe a sliding door like on the Odyssey (or maybe come up with a new mini-Odyseey design with ST & AWD). I think Ford has stole a few ideas from the Element in their new Transit. No standard transmission or all-wheel drive options, though. It looks like I will have to hold on to my Element for awhile until something better comes along.

    April 6, 2011 at 8:40 pm | Report abuse |
  4. CARLOS TOSADO

    LETS BRING BACK THE ELEMENT WAITING TO PURCHASE ANOTHER ONE.

    October 4, 2012 at 6:56 pm | Report abuse |
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