2010 Honda Element Review
2010 Honda Element Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Spacious cabin, removable rear seats, easy cargo loading thanks to specialized rear doors, good crash-test scores.
Cons
- Seats only four, awkward rear ingress and egress, unimpressive fuel economy.
What’s new
For 2010, the Honda Element goes to the dogs with the Dog Friendly package that features an enclosed kennel with a cushioned bed and water bowl as well as a collapsible ramp to allow Bowser easy access to his home on the road.
Edmunds says
Even though it's getting on in years, the 2010 Honda Element remains a good choice for people in need of a compact crossover with a versatile interior design.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2010 Honda Element LX 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$197/mo for Element LX
Element LX
vs
$184/mo
Avg. Compact SUV
Vehicle overview
When the Honda Element debuted seven years ago, its target demographic was primarily active 20-something-year-olds interested in outdoor recreation. As it turned out, a lot of older people bought Elements. And why not? With a tidy footprint and room inside for four adults and their cargo, the boxy, space-efficient Element certainly has broad appeal. And for 2010, the Honda Element goes to another demographic. Or more precisely, it goes to the dogs.
This year brings a new option called the Dog Friendly package. Designed to transport your canine safely and comfortably, the package includes a fully enclosed (via high-strength netting) kennel that sits in the cargo area and features a cushioned bed and built-in water bowl, an extendable ramp (which stows under the kennel) to ease the dog's entry and exit, a rear ventilation fan, rubber floor mats and dirt- and water-resistant second-row seat covers.
Other than the pooch package, the Element continues relatively unchanged from last year, when it received a mild refresh. Actually, apart from some cosmetic and equipment upgrades over the years, the Element hasn't changed much since its debut. That means it still offers inherent practicality and an easy-to-handle nature. With its cargo-van-style side doors, the Element allows simplified loading of bulky cargo, and to optimize utility, the rear seats can be either flipped up to the sides or removed completely. Meanwhile, its box-on-wheels architecture and small size make maneuvering around campsites and city streets a breeze.
Of course, the Element isn't the only game in town. If you're looking for a similarly funky but useful alternative, you might consider newer models like the Kia Soul or Scion xB, both of which boast lower starting prices. Meanwhile, more conventional alternatives such as the Chevy Equinox, Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4 are more practical overall and typically have the option of a more powerful engine. Even among these choices, the 2010 Honda Element should warrant the attention of anyone looking for a versatile compact utility vehicle.
Performance & mpg
Every 2010 Honda Element is equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 166 horsepower and 161 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, with a five-speed automatic optional. Front-wheel drive is the default configuration, while AWD is available on the LX and EX models.
With a pudgy curb weight of 3,500 or so pounds, the Element isn't exactly fleet; we timed an automatic EX at 10 seconds for the 0-60-mph dash. EPA estimated fuel economy is somewhat lackluster by current four-cylinder compact crossover standards, ranging from 20 mpg city/25 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined for automatic-equipped two-wheel-drive models down to 18/23/20 for manual-shift AWD models.
Safety
The Element comes standard with antilock disc brakes with brake assist, stability control, active front head restraints, front-seat side impact airbags and full-length side curtain airbags.
In government crash tests, the Element earned a perfect five stars for frontal and side impact protection. It also received a highest possible "Good" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for both frontal-offset and side impact collisions.
Driving
The four-cylinder 2010 Honda Element won't win many stoplight drag races, but it delivers peppy enough performance for most daily tasks. The four-wheel independent suspension endows the Element with surprisingly responsive and agile handling, though its ride is noticeably firmer than the average compact crossover, especially in SC trim. At highway speeds, a fair amount of wind noise is produced by the Element's ungainly physique.
Interior
The Honda Element seats only four -- a disadvantage compared to other compact SUVs -- but rear passengers enjoy ample room and excellent visibility, thanks to the theater-style seating. Cargo capacity is also exceptional: With the rear seats removed, the Element can accommodate an impressive 75 cubic feet of gear. The floor is covered in urethane, allowing one to carefully hose it out after a day of surfing or a weekend of camping.
The Element's unique rear-hinged rear-seat access doors make side loading a snap, though their design can be a hassle for transporting people -- the front doors must first be opened before rear occupants are allowed in or out. This can be particularly inconvenient if the rear seats are used regularly. Element owners who frequently transport a small-to-medium-sized dog should check out the new Dog Friendly kennel. We've tested it and it works fairly well, though it does take up the space otherwise occupied by the rear cargo area and blocks rearward visibility.
2010 Honda Element models
The 2010 Honda Element is a compact crossover SUV available in three trim levels: LX, EX and SC. The Element LX and EX are available in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations, while the sport-tuned SC is front-wheel drive only. The base LX comes with 16-inch steel wheels, a urethane utility floor, moisture-resistant seats, folding and removable rear seats, a height-adjustable driver seat, air-conditioning, full power accessories, a tilt steering wheel, cruise control, keyless entry and a four-speaker CD audio system.
The midlevel EX adds 16-inch alloy wheels, a three-compartment overhead console, a center console with a removable cooler/storage box, a cargo area 12-volt power outlet, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and a seven-speaker audio system with MP3 capability, an auxiliary input jack and satellite radio. The street-smart SC trim features a lowered sport suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels, a custom grille, a monochromatic paint scheme with body-color bumpers and roof sections, passenger-area carpeting, an exclusive center console design, piano-black interior trim pieces, unique fabrics and copper-colored gauges.
Available on EX and SC models is a voice-activated navigation system with a rearview camera and a USB audio interface. The EX models offer the availability of the dealer-installed Dog Friendly package that includes a fully enclosed kennel and a variety of related accessories.
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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
3.5 out of 5 stars3.5/5Above Average
#23 out of 29 among Compact SUVs
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Honda Element from 2008-2022.$400/yr
vs. $465/yr
for Average Compact SUV
for Average Compact SUV
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).1.58x/yr
vs. 1x/yr
for Average Compact SUV
for Average Compact SUV
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).15.3%
vs. 11.5%
for Average Compact SUV
for Average Compact SUV
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2010 Honda Element.
5 star(78%)
4 star(18%)
3 star(4%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
28 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.63 out of 5 stars
A fantastic car for a narrow segment
tictoknsac, 08/11/2010
2010 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
The Element is a fantastic car for a very specific segment of car owners. If you want a car that can haul an incredible amount size-wise; and, has AWD to go skiing; and, gets decent gas mileage for commuting; and, is large in terms of driver and passenger seating/comfort (4 max) and is incredibly reliable AND you can appreciate its boxy shape as a necessary attribute of much of the … above for < $25K - THEN you can/will love this car. Otherwise, you either will not be interested at all -- OR you point out all the cars that will do SOME of these things better. But you won't find a car that does ALL these things better. This is my 2nd Element and I could not think of another car I wanted.
5 out of 5 stars
What a car!
Ed May, 07/11/2010
2010 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
I just traded in my 2003 Element on a 2010 Element. I have owned dozens of cars and trucks before, but the Element is the best. The 2003 Element had 136,000 miles on it, no repairs for the first 130,000 miles.
5 out of 5 stars
I smile whenever I get behind the wheel
Madison, 02/08/2010
2009 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
I have been wanting one of these since the first year they came out. I am not disappointed and would have taken the plunge sooner but my 97 Honda Odyssey just would not wear out. I finally passed it on to someone who appreciated it. The Element has it all - my dog agrees. Plenty of space, fun to drive, Honda reliability and goes thru the snow and ice in Wisconsin like you're driving … in July. The clamshell doors are kind of a pain in a tight parking lot but you figure it out. The stereo system is great and the satellite radio rocks. I like being able to just take my bike at the end of a ride and roll it into the back end. The floor cleans up from muddy dogs with ease.
5 out of 5 stars
Need the capacity of a truck without being a truck
Jason Whiting, 03/02/2018
2009 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV w/Navigation (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
Purchased this vehicle to haul stuff but still have a useable back seating. Just love how th back seats fold up and out of the way or can be completely taken out. I’ve put lots of highway miles on this vehicle with no regrets. My 5th Honda all with over 100k . My crv had 250k and the element currently has 180k and still running strong. The element is also good in the snow
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2010 Honda Element, so we've included reviews for other years of the Element since its last redesign.
2010 Element Highlights
LX
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $20,525 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 22 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $197/month |
Seating | 4 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 25.1 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Element include:
- Back-up camera
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover3 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestGood
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
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