2009 Honda Element Consumer Reviews

Element SC

Written by: Ben in Yorba Linda on 10/18/2009

Vehicle

2009 Honda Element SC 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5A)

Review

Recently purchased, put first 1K miles on her today. Overall excellent car, feels very safe. For only a 4 cylinder I am averaging only 20 miles per gallon. Interior is cheap for the most part, especially considering it is a $24K rig. Cheap plastic steering wheel, no ipod controls and no security system come standard, you have to add them as accessories. Wake up Honda and make these standard. Heavy orange peel in paint. Extremely vulnerable to chips. This is unacceptable for any modern vehicle.

Favorite Features

Plastic body panels, solid feel nice sound system.

Suggested Improvements

$24K is a lot of money for anyone. Honda needs to offer security system, leather steering wheel and Ipod controls standard.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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I LOVE My Element! : )

Written by: VERY HAPPY : ) on 09/25/2009

Vehicle

2009 Honda Element LX 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5A)

Review

Just traded in our 2008 Honda Accord EX for the Element. I have to say I'm very happy with it. IT's very roomy and safe feeling. My children are 6'1" and 6'3" and they sit comfortable in the back seat. The seats have to be reclined some because my tallest sons head will touch the ceiling. The ride is smooth. You don't feel every bump in the road either like we felt in the Accord. The lights don't blink constantly like our Honda Accords did. My husband loves our new Element also. It's so much fun to drive. You won't feel claustrophobic. We have had a 2004 and a 2007 Suburban LT, a Chrysler 300 touring and even though they were more luxurious The Element is our favorite.

Favorite Features

Reclining back seats, very roomy, adorable exterior, dog friendly interior, lots of room for my tall boys' legs. Love the compartments on the passenger dash. The color Polished metallic is beautiful. An inexpensive great quality car.

Suggested Improvements

Need arm rests. Seats for 5 would be a plus. Nicer radio but for the price of the car you can't go wrong. Were going to purchase another radio but that's not a big deal. An extra 12v outlet in the back for the kids.

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Very Pleased

Written by: Buy One! on 09/24/2009

Vehicle

2009 Honda Element LX 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5A)

Review

Looked at these when I bought my last new vehicle in 2006, finally bought one this summer. You will not be disappointed. Great utility, handling, looks. Comfortable unless you are in the back seat, although there is plenty of room there - just rough ride when sitting on the rear wheel well. Great stereo, fun to drive, good gas mileage. Wish I'd bought one sooner and considering buying another one since my daughter has hijacked this one! GREAT value for the price.

Favorite Features

Looks, utility, stereo, mileage, dependability.

Suggested Improvements

Would be nice to be able to roll down either the 2 wing windows in back seat or the gate window - dogs suggestion.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Great but not without flaws

Written by: jack31 on 08/15/2009

Vehicle

2009 Honda Element LX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 5A)

Review

Overall great car have had no problems getting the kids in and out of the back (one in car seat), maneuvers nicely and has plenty of power though is no race car. Gas mileage is around 23.5mpg city. Functionality of the vehicle is nice. The interior room is fantastic even for tall people like me (6'3"). Here are the bad points for me; as a passenger I am quite comfortable however driving is another story. I can't seem to get into a truly comfortable position drivers seat adjusted too low hurts hips, too high can't see traffic lights, telescoping steering wheel would help also. I'm thin and seat could use more cushion. Wife loves car and it's hers so it's ok. Road noise can be LOUD.

Favorite Features

Utility of interior, smooth power, gas mileage. Looks great, everything works nicely and seems well built, nice feel to the vehicle.

Suggested Improvements

More cushion in the seats, less road noise though I hear better tires help, telescoping steering wheel, more closable storage. Great car just take it for a 30 minute cruise before you buy.

20 out 20 people found this review helpful

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Really Love This Car

Written by: Francois on 08/12/2009

Vehicle

2009 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Elements have long caught my eye, and with passing years I've known more and more people who have and love them. We finally took the plunge and wish we hadn't waited so long. It's a great car for all our needs. We took it on a camping trip recently and got fantastic mileage. The doors feel and sound as solid as our old Volvo-- impressively heavy metal. Great handling, and we love those wide doors for packing and unloading.

Favorite Features

Nimble handling, great gas mileage, flat rubber floor, quick changing seats. Extremely versatile-- this car is equally at home and stylish in the crowded city and the great wide open spaces. It's PERFECT for our family without being a 'family vehicle'.

Suggested Improvements

Make the seat part (bottom) of the back seat a little longer for better leg comfort/support for taller passengers.

7 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Nice vehicle, but specialized intent

Written by: Mike on 08/12/2009

Vehicle

2009 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 5A)

Review

Purchased my Element new as part of cash for clunkers program, after looking at it for several years. What attracted me to this car is that it has a very flexible interior that allows you to haul lots of different things. Both rear seats fold up or can be removed, leaving you with a totally flat load floor. Access to the interior is very good from both the back and side. The interior is very practical with rubber flooring and an excellent sound system. The EX now comes with XM satellite included, and also has a power port and aux jack in the dash that works great for an ipod. The exterior is a box. But I like it.

Favorite Features

Maneuverability, great for hauling things, spacious interior with lots of headroom. Terrific stereo. Very intuitive controls.

Suggested Improvements

Wish fuel economy was better! Would sacrifice some boxiness if it could get another 2 - 3 mpg. Side "suicide" door closes with a thud.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Great Car

Written by: BobMac3 on 07/02/2009

Vehicle

2009 Honda Element LX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 5A)

Review

I've always had Subarus but have found the maintenance costly in the last several years so I've switched to a Honda Element LX. I've only had it a day but love it already. The process of buying was very easy. There aren't many used or new Es in my area of Concord, NH and I'm looking forward to a long relationship. I thought the sunroof was impractical because it was in the rear where my Belgian Sheepdogs ride and it made the area too hot plus without the sunroof it was better insulated and quieter.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

14 out 22 people found this review helpful

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'09 SC

Written by: davel57 on 06/24/2009

Vehicle

2009 Honda Element SC 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5A)

Review

I've been looking at these cars for some time now and I can't believe I waited so long! Very pleased so far. VERY fun to drive with plenty of power and great fuel economy. I work in an auto body repair facility and I've seen these cars hit in all areas and they hold up incredibly well (I hope I never have to test it) and it was one of the selling factors for me. GREAT sound system, amenities.

Favorite Features

Sound system, add on accessories like the cabana and roof rack for the bikes.

Suggested Improvements

None!

25 out 26 people found this review helpful

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Nothing but impressive

Written by: Canadian Steve on 06/06/2009

Vehicle

2009 Honda Element SC 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5A)

Review

Wow!! Had our heart set on the base Element but the dealership had an SC they were trying to unload and we picked it up for less then the basic Element. Mileage is rated at 8.1L/100km and we have been consistently UNDER that number. We are getting about 30 MPG highway. This vehicle is so versatile. I was worried about it measuring up because I traded in my Acura. The ride is very comfortable, the seats are VERY comfortable, it's easy to clean and really fun to drive. Turning radius is tiny, really easy to park. If the sideview mirrors are adjusted properly there are no blind spots. Haven't come across anything that I'm hauling that doesn't fit in it. Two thumbs up!! Excellent vehicle Honda!!

Favorite Features

Fuel Economy, Stereo, Heat and A/C (provides hot air or cold incredibly fast), Comfortable, Storage.

Suggested Improvements

None yet.

60 out 61 people found this review helpful

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