2004 Honda Element: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Honda's youth-oriented compact SUV adds a midrange model midyear but otherwise gets only minor changes for its sophomore season. Element has novel interior features and unique wagon styling with center-opening side doors. It's based on Honda's CR-V, but is taller, wider, and heavier. It shares CR-V's 4-cyl engine and manual and automatic transmissions. It offers the same front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive system without low-range gearing. Element has an upper liftgate and drop-down tailgate. Its rear-hinged back side doors are shorter than the front doors and don't open or close independently of them. Element seats four on front bucket seats and a split rear bench. The rear seat's 30-lb sections swing up to the side or remove to expand cargo space. AWD models include a tilt/removable glass "skylight" over the cargo bay. Base DX, new LX, and upscale EX models are offered. DXs are equipped for personalization and come without factory audio. LX adds a CD player and air conditioning; the last is a dealer-installed option for DXs. EXs include alloy wheels, 2-tone interior trim, cruise control, and power mirrors. All Elements have water-resistant cloth upholstery, rubberlike floor covering, 16-inch wheels, and 4-wheel disc brakes. Exclusive to EXs are standard ABS and optional front side airbags. For '04, EXs gain a passenger-seat armrest and remote keyless entry.