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Used 2010 Honda Element Consumer Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
28 reviews

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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2010 Element, so we've included reviews for other years of the Element since its last redesign.

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Pros
Cons
5 out of 5 stars

What a car!

Ed May, 07/11/2010
2010 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
17 of 17 people found this review helpful

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.

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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)
15 of 15 people found this review helpful

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.

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5 out of 5 stars

My second Element! UPDATE!

George Reichert, 07/29/2016
updated 08/23/2023
2010 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
13 of 13 people found this review helpful

Owned a 2004 Element for 10 years and found it to be my ideal car...so while it was still possible to find a 2010 or 2011 with low millage I search far and wide and ater 4 months of looking in a 500 mile radius I found exactly the one I wanted in exactly the color I wanted with only 36000 miles. Drove 370 miles in my 04 with 138000 miles and bought the 2010. Now I can be happy for another 10 years! UPDATE: After owing this Element for 1 and 3/4 years, I could not be happier. No problems after reaching 59,000 miles. Goes great in the snow this winter. Only sorry I can't find another one with low mileage to put in storage for when this one reaches 250,000 miles and I must retire it!.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
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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)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful

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

Performance
5 out of 5 stars
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4.88 out of 5 stars

Nice Car for the Price

Linda, 12/01/2009
2010 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful

Drove the car from N.C. to N.Y. 16 hours and over 900 miles. Had no problem keeping up with the traffic, plus going up and down the hills with no problem. Gas mileage average 28mpg. Traded my 2007 V-6 Nissan Murano for the Element. It does not have all the bells and whistles as my Murano but the price is right. Love the gas mileage, fun car to drive. Love how you can change the seats around. Very dog friendly. So much room, it has more cargo space then the murano. Also loved listening to the XM radio. Handles well and like how the doors open up for easy access.

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5 out of 5 stars

Love our Element

Otown Jim, 02/14/2010
2009 Honda Element LX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful

We really love our Element. We purchased the vehicle to make it easier to transport our dog (Samoyed). The removable seats in the back are perfect and the room once removed is terrific. The Element handles well in the snow (took it to Montana through multiple snowstorms during Thanksgiving week). Lastly, our boy Buck just loves his new car! Excellent choice for dog lovers and people needing some additional cargo room.

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5 out of 5 stars

Bought this in August, 2009

Kelster , 08/26/2019
updated 09/03/2024
2009 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV w/Navigation (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful

I have had this car from the showroom floor, and I can tell you that if they had not discontinued the Element, it would be the only car I would buy for the rest of my life. It is perfect for every situation and I can honestly say I have NO complaints. My '09 Honda Element EX has 266,000 miles on it. I have done regular oil changes, but other than a new air filter and replacing a front axle, I have not had ANY major repairs. I have always driven my Element hard and fast, I don't baby my car. The Element handles everything I ask it to. It is a tank in the snow, and has NEVER left me stuck. The traction control has saved my life when I was on ice and a tractor trailer jack-knifed in front of me. The traction control kept me from going underneath that truck! I love love love my Element and hope that it will last forever!!! Update: 02/2022: My Element continues on at 267k miles! We replaced the timing chain, serpentine belt, starter, filters and seals for gas tank and a small oil filter inside. It’s worth the upkeep to keep it going. Tire sensors were also replaced. It still goes like a tank in the snow. Want to keep it forever. Update:2/29/24: the Element is still going, though I gifted it to a recent high school graduate. He takes very good care of it and I get to see it bc he lives a few houses down from me.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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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)
16 of 17 people found this review helpful

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.

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4 out of 5 stars

Happy Overall

Iggy Flop, 09/22/2010
2009 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
14 of 15 people found this review helpful

Owned this car for a little over a year now and the experience has been a good one overall. It's fun to drive, It feels solidly built, and I've yet to have any mechanical problems with it. Is is fairly flexible, But don't expect to be moving any couches or other bulky items. It's deceptively short, and if you really wanna pack it, you've got to lose the rear seats all together, which thankfully is fairly easy. Yes they flip up, but they bulge a good bit which takes up space. Not to mention block all visibility out of the right / rear window (kind of an important one if you're a lane changer). My biggest problem though is that the paint is chipping/ spidering, and Honda will not help.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

'09 SC

davel57, 06/24/2009
2009 Honda Element SC 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful

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.

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5 out of 5 stars

Nothing but impressive

Canadian Steve, 06/06/2009
2009 Honda Element SC 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful

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!!

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Nice vehicle, but specialized intent

Mike, 08/12/2009
2009 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

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.

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4.25 out of 5 stars

Great but not without flaws

jack31, 08/15/2009
2009 Honda Element LX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

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.

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4.25 out of 5 stars

Element SC

Ben in Yorba Linda, 10/19/2009
2009 Honda Element SC 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
9 of 12 people found this review helpful

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.

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5 out of 5 stars

I LOVE My Element! : )

VERY HAPPY : ), 09/26/2009
2009 Honda Element LX 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful

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.

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3.63 out of 5 stars

Love the car except

MrMike, 07/06/2010
2010 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful

This is a perfect sized vehicle for my needs. I totally removed the back seats and use it as a van. I have some disappointments like The stereo system is ok at best. The front seats should've been able to go all the way forward when in forward position. The rust proofing found under the fender wells should've been sprayed everywhere on the undercarriage. It deceives a buyer into thinking he has rustproofing there. In my opinion, even a weekend car painter knows that all the door jambs should be painted the same as the rest of the vehicle. My Element is like that n some parts of the jambs while the rest is the same as what you find under the hood. I cant believe this is standard for a car

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5 out of 5 stars

Really Love This Car

Francois, 08/12/2009
2009 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

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.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Very Pleased

Buy One!, 09/24/2009
2009 Honda Element LX 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

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.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

A return customer

walter, 12/18/2009
2010 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

I just traded in my 03 Element for a 2010. I was able to get mine with manual tranny! That's important for me; I just had to nag the salesman to beat on the computer network a bit. We found a dealer trade just 60 miles away. This car (like my old one) is the most practical car out there. In all the 102k miles I put on my old one, the only expense outside of scheduled maintenance was to replace battery and tires, and it never left me stranded. I use it almost like a truck and it serves me very well. I'm happy in my element!

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Not for everyone

Pudde, 11/13/2010
2010 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV AWD w/Navigation (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

If you need a great little car for commuting then this is the one! I wasn't the target type for this car but its ended up being just right for me. The various cargo arrangements are great! Mpg is over 25 for light city driving (4.9 miles to work for me) and always nice to have the awd on hand.

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5 out of 5 stars

Best vehicle to date

Tintinabulator, 11/22/2021
2010 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV w/Navigation (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

I have been driving for 64 years and have owned everything from a Peugeot 203 to a Lexus LS 460 (Including all the "luxury" models from Mercedes, BMW and Infinity). Not one has been able to compete with this little gem in terms of repair and service costs, not to mention reliability.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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4.13 out of 5 stars

Great Car

BobMac3, 07/03/2009
2009 Honda Element LX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

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.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

My personal tank

acw02, 02/01/2010
2010 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV AWD w/Navigation (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful

This is my 3rd Element. Each time I trade the Element for another brand I always end up coming back to Element. This time I tried a Scion XB--enough said--I am happy to return to the Element. It has solid build quality, excellent reliability and the most versatility of any vehicle. Updates are appreciated like outside temperature display, voice controlled navigation, center console storage and over head storage. No complaints, no rattles, no leaks, no squeaks--I am a happy camper and I think I will stay with Honda Element this time around.

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5 out of 5 stars

Elements rule

Rob, 03/10/2020
2010 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful

I own a Honda element since 2006 it has been a fantastic vehicle roomy with lots of Room to move just about anything you need. Since my car got totaled I have been looking for another element and I'm not been disappointed in the ones that I have seen. Overall decent performance, roomy and dependable. My only complaint is they are not quiet, Wind noise is fairly pronounced. Other than that great car as long as you maintain it.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

My toaster

Element lover , 03/17/2023
2009 Honda Element LX 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I wish Honda would bring this car back.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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2.5 out of 5 stars

Won't start again

Not Happy, 11/30/2010
2010 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful

I purchased a new Honda Element in May and it has been in the shop 2 times this time over a week and getting response "we don't know the techs are looking at it". will not run if not started daily. Left me stuck in Washington DC and 3 additional times at home. Honda will not provide a rental call while they guess at issue. Also, purchases Honda Civic SI 2010 same time have had no issues with that so far. what a bummer!

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5 out of 5 stars

Great car

Tee Varley, 01/20/2018
2010 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
1 of 3 people found this review helpful

Great car..

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

LOVE my Element!!

Oz Rinckey, 02/13/2022
2010 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I LOVE this car so much, I just bought another one!! Great car for moving and hauling stuff. Comfortable and spacious. Wonderful for traveling and going on adventires like camping or a trip to the beach :)

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