2006 Honda Element Consumer Reviews

Love my Element!

Written by: Fran S. on 11/01/2009

Vehicle

2006 Honda Element EX-P 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I have been searching for a car that would be fun to drive, functional, and kid friendly-the Element is it! My eight year-old loves the back seat, and there is plenty of room for our two dogs, too. I can go grocery shopping and everything will fit in the back. The car also handles well on the road, and makes turns easily.

Favorite Features

I love how the seats fold up and you can use half or all the back for stuff. Also like no carpet or upholstery to attract dirt or dog hair. We took our lab camping and I just used a lint roller to get the hair out.

Suggested Improvements

Because there is no carpet in the back, things can slide around, so I put a piece of rug gripper in the back, which solved that problem. It would be nice if there was a power lock switch on the driver's side instead of just the window switch. I bought a wider rear- view mirror which helps visibility.

Report inappropriate post

What took me so long?

Written by: BOXERMOM on 10/20/2009

Vehicle

2006 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

It took me two years to finally decide to buy the element, and have not been sorry since. Have two dogs that spend all their time with me, in office, out seeing customers and so we spend at least half the day in and out of the car, we love it. It turns on a dime and if you know how to use the transmission I have left 8 cylinder cars eating my dust when climbing hills. It's been in the snow at 11000 feet in Utah and didn't even need snow tires. Gas mileage improved once I took off the good years and put on tiger paws and keep inflated at 42lbs which the tire specifies. Have been off roading with it too, although a little low there are ways to work around that. Next trip New Mexico the whole state.

Favorite Features

Turns on a dime, peppy, easy to clean fun to drive, powerful transmission, low maintenance.

Suggested Improvements

Seat belts on driver's seat instead of backdoor post. Don't use good year tires, inflate to pressure on side of tire not on door of car.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Honda Price, not Honda Quality

Written by: mccarthybp on 07/20/2009

Vehicle

2006 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Although this cars handles very well in winter weather, the brake pads, rotors, and calipers don't hold up. Do not buy this car if you live in the northern US or Canada. All components of the brakes have rusted out, warped, seized, within 32k. That's not Honda quality. In addition, the dealership labels all of these design flaws as 'normal.' If you have the extra money, but a Toyota. If you don't, buy something else.

Favorite Features

This car is deceptively spacious. It can move anything. Too bad it sounds like a rusted out derailed locomotive at 20 mph.

Suggested Improvements

Don't install subpar stock brake pads, rotors, and calipers. Or don't sell the car anywhere it snows.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Elephant Moves Anything

Written by: Mark on 06/20/2009

Vehicle

2006 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Friends always want to bowwor the "elephant" when they move stuff - My wife has an 03 Element with 103000 - never been down for maintenance except routine stuff; Daughter has one, Niece has one and mine is an 06 - pretty much perfect - Honda could -for about 100 bucks more make this the perfect vehicle 1 - a little more sound deadening 2 - slightly more aerodynamic would get 1-2 more mpg 3 - slightly larger fuel tank 4 - one more intermittent position on the wipers. 5 - put a gizmo in that would allow for pax - p.s. Honda,this seems like the perfect platform for an all electric or hybrid - what gives??

Favorite Features

Big - I am 6'4 most of my friends are at least 6'2 and plus 250 pounds - when we ride together we have plenty, plenty of room.

Suggested Improvements

biggest thing - more sound deadening

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Expectations Fulfilled

Written by: Larry on 04/01/2009

Vehicle

2006 Honda Element EX-P 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

After 3 years and over 70,000 miles I remain delighted. It has met all of my expectations and more. Other than a windshield replacement due to its vertical orientation and replacement of the original tires at 70,000 miles, I have only changed the oil/filter and had the major service done. Consistently get 24-25 MPG; find it to be comfortable but a somewhat bumpy ride on longer trips; and love the functionality for hauling gear and bulky items. Great value for the price and low cost of operation.

Favorite Features

Utility, comfort, initial price and low cost of operation.

Suggested Improvements

Less vertical windshield to reduce stone chips. Improved sound-proofing.

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Saved my life

Written by: ricthechef on 01/30/2009

Vehicle

2006 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

My brother had a 2003 Element and was rolled off the thruway--he walked away. Yesterday I was hit just about head on, on the right headlight, by a pickup going over 60 MPH. The car rolled, the airbags deployed and aside from a broken rib and a few contusions, I literally walked away. Kudos to safety features and thanks to you Honda! The high ceilings I believe are a factor in safety and comfort.

Favorite Features

Adaptable, quick, straight to the point, GREAT IN THE SNOW.

Suggested Improvements

A few more interior hiding places and a BETTER DRAIN for the times that you want to hose it out. Right now you have to remove the spare. I use mine to cater and it has had it's fill of Jerk chicken juice!

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Great Ski Car

Written by: Runmaster on 01/28/2009

Vehicle

2006 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I purchased an '06 knowing that changes were going to made in the '07. I did not care for the new belt system and the front grill. Also, this was the 1st generation Element and I believe that all the issues are worked out with the last year of a generation change. (Front windshield, A/C, AWD, etc.) I have been correct. This car (SUV) is rock solid.

Favorite Features

I ski patrol and this is a pretty good AWD. You do need the correct tires. It is outstanding for hauling gear. No big thing when snow gets inside. No cloth or fabric that can get water damage.

Suggested Improvements

An indication that the AWD is kicking in. This car with a diesel engine would be outstanding. Also, it could be an inch more ground clearance.

Report inappropriate post

Great car

Written by: Brian on 12/30/2008

Vehicle

2006 Honda Element EX-P 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Have had this car for 3 yrs/60 k miles. Great car. Super cheap to own, amazingly reliable. Standard maintenance is really inexpensive, and only every 10k miles. This is not a luxury car. There is no wood trim/leather seats, etc. What you see is what you get. But it's plenty peppy, drives very smooth, and fits in compact car parking spots. Excellent turning radius. Blind spots do take some getting used to though - my only complaint. Excellent in the snow. Excellent build quality. Excellent cargo capacity. Seats are easy to flip up or take out. Even comfortable to sleep in, which I have done many times at trail heads before climbs!

Favorite Features

Many possible configurations of rear seats, turning radius, reliability, inexpensive to maintain, smooth driving/suspension, manual transmission is very smooth to operate, comfortable seats even for long trips.

Suggested Improvements

Blind spots, particularly rear pillars.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Good but ...

Written by: Rob on 10/30/2008

Vehicle

2006 Honda Element EX-P 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Good car but not Honda quality nor design. Cheap plastics are easy to scratch. Car does best on smooth surfaces.

Favorite Features

Roomy, boxy, good forward visibility.

Suggested Improvements

Nobody noticed the poor interior materials ? Plastic panels poorly fitted and look like taken from a cheap commercial truck. Bouncy ride. Unstable when loaded. Rear seats too low, not for longer drives.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

glad its gone

Written by: 442 man on 10/11/2008

Vehicle

2006 Honda Element EX-P 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

This was our first Honda and our last. Day one the steering went we had to wait for a new rack-pinion to be installed. A steel rod came through the drivers seat, both front seats had to be recovered. Bad tires, gas mileage, tail gate hinges, visibility, if you park next to another car its real fun to get the rear passengers out. Suicide doors need to go, also need to make this a 5 passenger vehicle, as their is plenty of room.

Favorite Features

Easy to clean, nice stereo, paint and finish, motor, transmission, brakes, handling are all good. Ac works great.

Suggested Improvements

Better gas mileage, 5 passenger, regular doors, better upholstery, tail gate needs better shocks to hold it up. Decent tires would help expect to buy new tires at 20k miles. Some body side molding would help as door panels crease and dent easily. Automatic lights needed. Don't expect more than 20 mpg.

3 out 7 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post