Used 2011 Honda Element Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2011 Element, so we've included reviews for other years of the Element since its last redesign.
No other like it
gvlivingaz, 01/05/2011
2011 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
45 of 46 people found this review helpful
This is my second Element. I traded in my first after losing my dog. Unfortunately I equated the car with the dog. Later I found out I missed the Element so much I had to have another. Traded in my leased MB ML350 early when I found out the Element was going to be discontinued. The versatility is unmatched. You may not think it, but this is a very comfortable car on a long trip. No back ache like I got from some of my other vehicles. On first two fill-ups got 25 MPG. Take the back seat out and you've got quite a hauler. I also like the fact that you can flip up the back seats to the side if you have to and haul a large payload in an emergency.
A Love Affair
GVLiving AZ, 12/01/2010
2011 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
37 of 38 people found this review helpful
This is my second Element. This car does not appeal to a large base. But once you own one and enjoy the versatility and reliability you can become hooked. If you take the back seats out this baby becomes a van! I did have another car in between but knew I had to have another.
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Element has Gone to the Dogs
dano100, 07/11/2011
2011 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
43 of 45 people found this review helpful
My wife hounded (no pun intended) me until we bought a new Element. I am a Honda Sales Consultant and knew the one we had in stock would be one of the last new ones we would be getting so we traded our old 4Runner in on it. The Element is a blast to drive (I also own an S2000) and is the perfect vehicle for our 2 Boxers and a Bulldog to ride in. It is also a great car to take to Lowes or Home Depot.
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.
Never gonna GIVE YOU UP...
JCP in NC, 11/14/2018
updated 05/17/2019
2011 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
25 of 26 people found this review helpful
First off, if you have an element, you will meet people that LOVE it, or HATE it. The haters don't like it because it's ugly apparently. That's fine. More for me. I bought this brand new. Dog friendly edition package. This car is pure perfection for ME. I am an avid cyclist, outdoorswoman, adventure seeker, antique-er and so on.. The rear seats are roomy and EASILY removable. It's the quintessential UTILITY vehicle. DON'T HOSE IT OUT. It has no drain holes, dummy. It's not a 6 cylinder. Pretty much the only bummer about this vehicle. Otherwise, it's irreplaceable. I have had several strangers approach me asking if it's for sale. My omni blue pearl Elly is really a sea foam green. And she's not for sale. Ever. I'm worried I'll never find a similar replacement. But if you ask me what is close in style, utility, and performance? Maybe the Toyota RAV4. Subaru?... meh...Honda, do me a favor, bring back the Elly. UPDDATE: 5/16/19: 95,000 ish miles on it and I still don't have any issues. Pretty sure it may be time to replace the brake pads. But that's about it thus far.
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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!.
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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.
Perfect for my lifestyle...but want something else
Matt Larson, 01/23/2017
2011 Honda Element LX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
26 of 28 people found this review helpful
Honda, as usual, really thought through the design of this car. It is the most amazing combination of utility and flexibility I have ever owned.....aside from my 2003 Element. As a serious cyclist, this car is absolutely perfect; I can roll 2 bikes in the back (with rear seats removed, or hinged up on their sides) without taking wheels off, put gear in, and still have room to bring back several grocery bags full of stuff. I've been able to haul tons of oddly shaped, and occasionally very large, items in the back. LOVE the utility of the car. The car, given that it is a big giant box on wheels, accelerates, corners, and brakes surprisingly well. The turning circle is one of the smallest (making the car supremely maneuverable) that I've ever been in. The 4-wheel drive is completely unobtrusive and works GREAT in snow and ice.....saved my butt several times. Now, it's time for the gripes....which unfortunately are many: the car is NOISY....hard to have a conversation when at highway speeds, gas mileage is around 20 mpg no matter how I drive (I'm excited when I get 22 on the highway!) which bugs me greatly for a 4 cylinder car, the seats start out ok, but after about 50k miles get just plain uncomfortable.....and that was with me getting extra foam installed when they were new!, the car develops rattles after 60k, and the ride quality is pretty harsh. I really wish that Acura had done an upmarket version of this car, I GLADLY would've paid the price for a quieter, better handling, more comfortable car with some more creature comforts. Instead, Honda just stopped making this truly one of a kind vehicle, and now I'm stuck. I cried when someone hit me and totalled the car. What else can I get that even comes close to this incredible combination of attributes that happens to fit my life to a T?
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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.
Driving a box
Element owner, 08/02/2021
2011 Honda Element LX 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I’ve been teased so many times because I drive an orange box. But that changes when they need to bring home a christmas tree, couch,or a large alligator! This is my second one. Can’t kill ‘em. Be cautious in high winds… the only possible negative comment. Love that the seats go up on the sides. Easy to drive, lots of room for dead bodies. Just hose out the blood! Beware tho: everyone will borrow it!
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That Element though....
Robert Sale, 07/08/2018
2011 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
Love my Element. Only complaint is that it can be noisy on the freeway. Very reliable, goes like a mother [non-permissible content removed] in the snow. Great cargo capacity for camping, road tripping etc...gets good fuel mileage, almost zero maintenance other than oil changes. Love this vehicle!
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Overrated
ahjah9, 07/05/2014
2011 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
28 of 41 people found this review helpful
Bought a used 2011 last yr and had it for a few months. Pros: Easy to clean, esp vinyl flooring, which is a must w/dogs. Able to remove back seats for more room. Consistent 25 mpg. Cons: No telescopic steering wheel, hard, uncomfortable seats, other than power windows/locks, there was nothing updated. Suicide doors were horrible, as were vent windows. How this vehicle was aimed for dogs is beyond me. It should have been 4 doors, all windows could fully open even the back one. Sluggish and the place to charge a phone was also at a inconvenient area.
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
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!
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.
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.
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Buyer Beware!
mmhblg, 02/05/2011
2011 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
13 of 25 people found this review helpful
Our Element is less than two months old. It has failed now to start twice in the morning. The first time the dealer determined that a faulty window switch was the cause. The dealer was unable to identify the cause of the most recent failure and could offer nothing more than a suggestion that we bring the car back in should the problem happen again - although they were unclear what additional steps they could take at that point. We currently regret the purchase. We had hoped to use this vehicle as our main car for out of town trips but now are not confident driving away from town should the vehicle leave us stranded. Not willing to take that chance from a safety perspective.
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.
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.
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You have to drive it, to know how great they are.
Mort Omaha, NE, 11/15/2023
2011 Honda Element LX 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Best all around utility vehicle ever made. Reliable motor and transmission, storage greater than a suburban, easy clean out floors. It may look like a toaster, but it really cooks!
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2011 Honda Element EX 4x4 5SD AT
mcc12, 05/02/2011
2011 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
15 of 47 people found this review helpful
Excellent Vehicle in so many ways. Great design with the Honda badge. This is my 4th Honda dating back to 1977. Wide open design allows for a great view of the road and all the way around. Tall enough to actually see a lot of sky while driving making the view exceptional. Very easy access for a guy of 50 years old. No twisting your back up to access a smaller or lower car. Very roomy interior, great driving position. It is actually quite comfortable on a longer drive. Tons of room in the back for most anything that does not require a truck to haul. I honestly think for the money this is the most well designed vehicle mae. I sure hate to see production stop on these little gems.
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!
Honda Element
T, 08/17/2023
2011 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
I love my Honda Element so much I would do a commercial. Wish they still made them.
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..
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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 :)
Love my toaster
MACDOEL, 12/03/2023
2011 Honda Element LX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Second Honda Element that I have owned and I love it as much as the first! It's ugly outside and happy inside!!! I first owned a 2003 and sold it with 210K miles on it, still see it running around. I since purchased a Subaru which I thought I would love....but didnt. Then bought a 2011 Element and of course I love it! I did have to replace the radiator at around 80k. Pretty easy job though. And most of all the dogs are happy!
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Love it! Would give it 1M stars!!
Ms. Moore, 01/10/2025
2011 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My Element is handicap accessible with ramp in front passenger seat position. It's wonderful!!
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Doggie approved!
CarolG, 12/14/2022
2011 Honda Element EX 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5A)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Our fur children of every size love this car! It's so easy to clean with no fabric or carpeting. Easy in and easy out of. Fun to drive too.
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