2003 Honda Element Review
Price Range: $8,800 - $9,995





+15
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Impressively versatile interior, optional four-wheel drive, trick audio system, styled as if out of a Japanese animation movie.
Cons
- Only seats four, Elements with automatic transmissions and 4WD can seem sluggish.
What’s new
The 2003 Honda Element is a completely new vehicle for Honda. It's also the most adventurous Honda vehicle in quite a long time. Its blend of features, such as barn-style doors and waterproof seats, make it a good choice for those with active lifestyles.
Edmunds says
A specialized Honda that is great as along as you need something so specialized.
For sale near Tempe, AZ
87 listings
- 161,000 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 4 Seats, 20 City / 24 Hwy MPG
- New Deal Pre-Owned Autos (15 mi away)
- Power Liftgate/Trunk
- Rear Bench Seats
- Fold Flat Rear Seats
- 2nd Row Bucket Seats
- Audio and cruise con...
Close
Located in Glendale, AZ
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
21 Combined MPG (20 City/24 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 5J6YH185X3L008928
Stock: 952669
Certified Pre-Owned: No- $10,995
- 108,267 miles
- No accidents, 3 owners, personal use only
- 4 Seats, 20 City / 24 Hwy MPG
- Lens Auto Brokerage (99 mi away)
- Power Liftgate/Trunk
- Rear Bench Seats
- Fold Flat Rear Seats
- 2nd Row Bucket Seats
Close
Located in Tucson, AZ
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
21 Combined MPG (20 City/24 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 5J6YH18213L015420
Stock: 28312R1
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 05-28-2025
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Arizona
$191/mo for Element DX
Element DX
vs
$162/mo
Avg. Compact SUV
Honda Element Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Utili-toaster
4.63 out of 5 starsjlawton, 10/19/2010
2003 Honda Element EX Fwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
At its heart, the Element is exactly what a small SUV should be- practical, reliable, and easy to drive. What sets the car apart is simply how over-the-top utilitarian it really is. The interior is nearly indestructible. The rubberized floors are easy to clean, the seats are waterproof, and the folding rear seats open up a cavernous cargo area that will easily accommodate mountain bikes … with the wheels still attached. For a giant rolling box, it handles surprisingly well- though not a sports car, the car feels stable and relatively nimble on mountain roads. An excellent buy for dog owners, college students, or anybody with an active lifestyle.
This car feels like home now
5 out of 5 starschasitye, 07/13/2014
2003 Honda Element DX Fwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
When i first saw this car I thought it was the ugliest thing I had ever seen. Upon further driving and testing, it was PERFECT! The roominess has spoiled me. I can't even tell you how many times I've hauled things inside the car with the seats up and peoples jaws drop because they "had no idea". Countless times I have used the suicide doors to get the kids out and people come up to my … car to check it out. It's a 2003!!! Don't act like you've never seen one. With two kids under 10 the rubber floors have been a Godsend! I can't tell you how many ice creams and food disasters have been avoided. Not to mention that after beach trips I just take my leaf blower and blow ALL the sand out of the car
Hard worker
4.63 out of 5 starsRaye , 07/07/2010
2003 Honda Element EX Fwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
My 2003 has 200100 miles on it. Still has the same rotors on the front, shock and struts, muffler system, and surprisingly the same spark plugs that have been checked frequently if they need replacement. Yeah, i have the frozen door lock syndrome and the drivers seat is ripped and uncomfortable, and noisy ride, but this little baby has been good to me. I will be replacing struts and … brake pads etc. soon to be on the safe side. Best reliable vehicle I've ever owned.
This car is a survivor!!
4.75 out of 5 starsmoondaisy_us, 09/25/2009
2003 Honda Element EX AWD 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
My husband recently totaled our Element. He swerved to miss a deer at 60MPH, spun out on the road berm, and the car rolled down the highway, landed on its wheels, then smashed into the ditch/hillside. The only part of the car that was not mutilated was the back hatch door. The car was smashed beyond recognition. My husband was uninjured except for a goose-egg on his forehead since the … drivers airbag did not go off. This vehicle held together so well that even if it held 4 people, all would most likely have been unharmed, except from flying glass. ALL this and the engine would still run. I would totally buy another Element, and plan to as soon as possible! This car is amazing!
2003 Element Highlights
DX
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $16,100 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $191/month |
Seating | 4 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 25.1 cu.ft. |
front wheel drive | |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
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 / 5Passenger4 / 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 – OriginalPoor
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintPoor
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