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2006 Honda Element: Unique Freak?
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By Matthew C. Keegan
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I admit it. When I saw my first Honda Element a few years back Ithought it was one of the most hideous looking vehicles on theplanet. Then I saw the Scion xA and Scion xB, so I quicklyrelegated the Element to third place. I confess that my earlierfeelings about the Element have changed, possibly because I seeso many of them on the road these days and perhaps because I seeits usefulness. No matter, the Honda Element is a unique lookingvehicle and it is a lot less freakish than what you or I maythink.
Freedom from convention. That is the saying on Honda'sweb site when it comes to labeling the Element. In many ways,this marketing slogan is true. Who says that any vehicle has toconform to what you expect? True, past radical models failedmiserably. The Ford Edsel and VW Thing are two that come tomind. Yet, the times are different and a truly "rad" look is in.Real in, if you know what I mean.
The Element does have a practical side to it. Although it isshaped like a breadbox and equipped with two large doors as wellas two smaller doors [reminds me of the Saturn ION], the 4WD LXElement has just about what any driver needs for just underUSD$20K: ABS; theft deterrent; air conditioning; cruise control;power windows, doors, mirrors, and locks; and a AM/FM/CD audiosystem with 4 speakers and a clock. Standard powertrain includea feisty 2354cc I4 mated to a 5 speed manual transmission; afour speed automatic is optional but considering that this caris geared toward young people you can pretty much count on themanny tranny winning drivers out over the automatic.
Many of the components for the Element are borrowed from theCivic to give it more of a car like ride, while keeping itstruck like appearance. Open all four doors at the same time andthe Element evokes a strong resemblance to "suicide doors" thatwere standard on the 1960s era Lincoln Continentals as well asthe Rolls-Royce Phantom. Honda was likely thinking that thisdesign would make it easier for passengers to retrieve all oftheir gear without popping up the rear hatch and crawling in.Indeed, everything in the Element is easily accessible and thevehicle was designed for the outdoorsman.
Prices start at around $17,500 for the base 2wd model and climbto just over $21,500 for the fully equipped 4wd version.Compared to the average SUV, the Element is priced verycompetitively and opens up a niche of buyers that Honda hopes toexploit.
Whatever you think of the Element's looks the vehicle is anattention getter. Judging by the sales, it is a hit with theyoung crowd.
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