Honda Element: Trims, Generations & Buyer's Guide

Last updated August 4, 2026

Honda Element

The Honda Element is a compact four-seat SUV known for its boxy, flexible cabin, easy-clean materials, and unusually wide cargo access. It favors practical space for gear, pets, and everyday hauling over luxury or flashy styling.

Sold from 2003 through 2011 in a single generation, the Element stayed focused on flexibility rather than following conventional SUV design. Its tall cabin, movable seating, swing-open side cargo doors, and split tailgate make bulky items easier to handle. Durable interior surfaces and a cargo-friendly shape are central to its appeal.

Strengths

  • The tall, square cabin makes better use of its footprint than a more conventionally shaped compact SUV.
  • Flexible seating and wide cargo access make it easy to carry pets, camping supplies, and bulky gear.
  • The durable, easy-clean cabin is well suited to muddy equipment, everyday messes, and active use.
  • Cargo space reached 74.6 cubic feet in 2011, giving the Element serious hauling room for its compact size.
  • The split tailgate creates a practical loading area and adds to the Element's usefulness outdoors.

Who it's for

The Element fits active owners, pet families, campers, and anyone who regularly carries bikes, equipment, or awkward cargo. It also works for shoppers who want a compact footprint but care more about usable interior space than extra passenger seating or upscale trim.

Honda Element lineup

Pick the LX if you want the Element in its simplest, utility-focused form. Step up to the EX for a better-equipped version suited to everyday driving without losing the practical cabin. The SC, offered during part of the model's run, sits lower and has sportier street styling, making it the choice for buyers who prefer a less rugged look.

Which Honda Element trim should I buy?

Honda Element generations

From 2009 to 2011, the Element spans 1 generation. The current 1st Generation arrived for 2003.

1st Generation (2003–2011)

The Element’s first and only generation has a boxy, cargo-first body, four-seat layout, swing-open rear side doors, split tailgate, and easy-clean cabin materials. It uses a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, and the 2009 refresh modernized the styling and interior without changing the basic formula.

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1st Generation (2003–2011) Honda Element
2011Trim changes

A carryover year with no significant equipment changes. This was the Element’s final U.S. model year.

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2010

The LX, EX, and lower, street-styled SC carried over without significant equipment changes.

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2009Mid-cycle update

Refreshed front styling and lighting joined revised cabin materials and controls.

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What's new by year

See what changed in a specific model year of the Honda Element.

2011 Honda Element2010 Honda Element2009 Honda Element

Frequently asked questions

Is the Honda Element an SUV or a van?

It is a small four-seat SUV with a van-like shape. Its tall, boxy cabin, wide-opening side cargo doors, and split tailgate make loading bulky gear easier than in a conventional compact SUV.

What is the Honda Element known for?

It is known for practical, easy-clean utility. The durable floor, wide cargo opening, and rear seats that fold flat or flip up against the sides suit pets, camping gear, and everyday hauling.

Does the Honda Element come as a hybrid?

No. The Honda Element is gas-powered and was not offered as a hybrid. Late models use a 166-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine.

Does the Honda Element have all-wheel drive?

Yes. Elements were sold with two-wheel drive or Honda's Real Time four-wheel-drive system, which serves the same basic purpose as all-wheel drive. In the late lineup, that system was offered on LX and EX models.

How many people does a Honda Element seat?

It seats four people, not five. The spacious second row works well for passengers, but the Element is a better fit for shoppers who value cargo flexibility over an extra rear seat or a third row.

How much cargo space does the Honda Element have?

Late Elements provide up to 74.6 cubic feet of cargo room. The rear seats fold flat or flip up against the cabin sides, creating a tall, open area for bulky items.

How many generations of the Honda Element are there?

There is one generation, covering 2003 through 2011. A late-cycle update arrived for 2009 with revised front styling, lighting, cabin materials, and controls, but the underlying cargo-focused design remained the same.

Can a Honda Element tow a trailer?

Yes, within modest limits. The late Element lineup has a maximum towing rating of 1,500 pounds, so it suits a small utility trailer rather than heavy towing.

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