Used 2005 Honda Element SUV Consumer Reviews
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Pros and Cons
hondaelementex, 09/11/2012
2005 Honda Element EX AWD 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
Nice car, great for a tall person and carrying groceries and other stuff including smaller bicycles. MPG is about 20.
A Toaster That Won't Die
Mike, 06/24/2019
2005 Honda Element LX AWD 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
We bought our 2005 Honda Element AWD in 2009 from CarMax. Wife didn't like the looks of it at first, but as soon as she sat in the driver's seat - before even driving it - she said "It's coming home with us today." We bought it with about 70k miles on the odometer. As of today it has over 215k miles. It's my wife's daily commuter. In fact, we are currently looking for another one so she can have a newer one and keep this one as our spare car. We use it for every trip we take, all the grocery shopping, and I've even hunted with it on a few occasions (in clay/mud farm fields in NC). We live in WV, so we see our fair share of ice and snow, and twisty roads are just a way of life here. It's roomy - there are tons of little storage pockets, removable, flippable, side-clippable rear seats that also recline fully. It's hauled hay, a refrigerator, a couch, all our son's belongings to college and 2 apartment moves and this thing has been ultra reliable through it all. All we've put into it are gas/oil changes/routine maintenance, 3 sets of tires, 1 set of brakes (just this year), one starter (also this year) and some alternator switch or solenoid that went bad (it was less than $90 installed). It's still on the original spark plugs and fires right up! The only downside to it is the driver's seat is starting to come apart at the seams. That's it. Even the gas mileage is fair (19 city, 22 overall, 24 highway) given it's shape, weight, and our road conditions. If you can find one that hasn't rusted out (I hear that's an issue, but not a speck on ours ANYWHERE), buy it. You'll find yourself falling in love with it.
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Most versatile car I've owned
Mark, 06/22/2019
updated 06/27/2022
2005 Honda Element EX Fwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Bought my 2005 Element in 2007 with 11k mi. As of 6/2022 I have 200k miles on it and hope to drive it to 300K, or find another Element because I love it so much! Potential negatives first: not as quiet, soft-riding or luxurious as other passenger-oriented/"people-mover" SUV's like the Honda CRV. Has a noticeable amount of wind noise compared to more car-oriented SUV's. The boxy shape doesn't lend itself to good mpg; usually 20-22mpg for me with a 26mi commute on & off highway. If you frequently travel with 3-4 people you may dislike the reverse-hinge style rear doors for letting rear passengers in and out, especially in tight spaces. Positives: perhaps one of the most versatile and reliable cars ever made. For powertrain, the 2.4l engine uses a long-lasting metal timing chain vs a rubber timing belt, which if not replaced at regular intervals can cause costly and catastrophic engine damage, and definitely something to research if buying a used car with 90k miles or more. In it's life I've only had to replace the CV joints at 131k, and the starter at 165k. Everything else has been normal oil, filter, tire and brake maintenance. I find this to be the ultimate utilitarian vehicle for anyone who loves to camp, haul oversized items or carry pets in an easy-maintenance interior. It's short enough to parallel-park in any tight spot in the city, big enough to squeeze a motorcycle inside(!). no joke, I've bought and individually transported home 3 different motorcycles in this thing. The longest being an old BMW R100 road bike, and the tallest being a Suzuki DR650 dual-sport dirt bike lowered down with ratchet-straps. For cyclists you can fit two bikes upright with both wheels installed and still have room for 1 rear passenger if needed, or cram 6 bikes in there with both seats removed and still have all of your valuables protected from weather and prying eyes. The space can also hold any array of furniture. The interior layout is great for endless passenger and cargo opportunities. For passengers, the car has great head and leg-room for 6"+ passengers front & rear. The 2 rear seats can be folded up flat against the interior walls, or individually taken out if there's need to carry 3 people and oversized cargo. With both seats out I have camped inside the car, with just enough room for a 6' & 5'6" couple and a 75lb dog to lay down on the rear floor on a camping trip. You can also lay both the front and rear seats down flat to have an oddly comfortable bed. The rear has both a hatch and a tailgate, so you can have just the hatch open to haul long items like lumber if needed. Also has a great-sounding stereo. If you want a car that is easy-driving, stone reliable, but also handle any kind of road-trip or cargo needs it's hard to think of another alternative. All that versatility gives you a ride quality that is half Honda Accord and half delivery van, but I've found it to be irreplaceable.
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The Element is just OK
rubio1010, 06/16/2009
2005 Honda Element EX Fwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
13 of 16 people found this review helpful
I bought this car for my dogs. I bought it for all of my activities. It's just OK. Driving is fine, not fun, just fine. Take every turn slowly as stuff slides back and forth over the entire plastic interior easily. This is not a "Dog Car." The rocking back and forth and sliding makes them car sick. Cleaning is not nearly as easy as it sounds. "Hosing it out" is not an option. Comfort? On short drives, less than 100 miles, it's ok. Anything longer and the plastic seats get stiff and sticky. I've had two windshields replaced from highway pebbles. That's annoying. The two reverse doors are awkward for passengers in the rear, and getting in and out of the back seats is very awkward.
I love my Element
hppywife, 08/15/2008
2005 Honda Element EX AWD 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
My husband bought me my Element for our anniversary. I love it. I drove a Cavalier and I am more then happy with the trade. My kids have so much room and it is a fun family vehicle. It doesn't have the get up and go like I am use to but it has a lot more room and a lot more reliable. My kids love their sun roof. I just love this ride.