🛠️ Original: Honda誌 – JDM Car Fans Magazine – 2021-11-11 14:09:07

Usually, when we see Honda SUVs on the streets, it’s nothing out of the ordinary—CR-V, HR-V (Vezel), XR-V, and Breeze are all familiar names. But have you ever come across a Honda SUV that, aside from the Honda badge, looks like it came from a totally different planet?

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📸 Although the model is a bit dated, the author has occasionally spotted one on the streets. It has a modest presence in China, and it wasn’t cheap when it launched—pricing ranged from ¥500,000 to ¥600,000. 😮

🚙 The car in question is the Honda Element, a quirky and uniquely styled SUV produced by Honda of America in the early 2000s.

🛠️ Originally introduced as the "Model X" concept by Honda R&D Americas in 1998, it debuted at the 2001 North American International Auto Show. This concept was designed for Generation Y (16–24 years old), blending the versatility of a pickup truck with an SUV, built for outdoor adventure and almost off-road utility.

🏄 Designer John Andrew Frye said the design was inspired by a lifeguard station on the beach 🌊. The roof shape even resembled a surfboard, and the interior was sized to fit a 10-foot surfboard.

🪟 It featured a "1.5-door" design inspired by classic suicide doors but adapted for modern safety. Engineers added a vertical steel bar inside the rear door, locking it into the frame when closed, creating a hidden "B-pillar" to meet crash safety standards. 🧠💡

🛠️ Rear door hinges were 3x stronger than the front’s, made through casting for extra strength.

👀 After its striking 2001 debut, Honda announced production in 2002, launching the Element at the New York Auto Show, built on a revised second-gen CR-V platform (chassis code YH1/YH2).

🛻 The production model retained the concept’s boxy and practical styling. The 1.5-door layout proved practical—like the RX-8—especially with the rear gate opening in two stages, acting as a shelter in the outdoors.

🗾 Honda sold the right-hand drive version in Japan starting April 4, 2003. But Japan's market didn't take to the Element’s rugged, masculine look—similar to how the FJ Cruiser flopped there. The Element was discontinued in Japan just two years later.

🚐 In the US, many Elements were converted into light RVs, with aftermarket kits turning them into camping vehicles with pre-configured spots for beds and cabinets.

📊 A 2003 survey showed 67% of Element owners were over 35, with an average age of 42, and 38% were women—contrary to Honda’s initial targeting of younger buyers.

🧽 The cabin used TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) flooring—easy to clean and dirt-resistant.

🌞 A unique roof-mounted sunroof in the cargo area enhanced visibility when rear seats were folded up, making it feel less like a delivery van.

🔧 Engine & Powertrain
Powered by the CR-V’s K24A4 engine (160 hp @ 5,800 rpm, 218 Nm @ 4,000 rpm), the Element came with 5-speed manual or 4-speed auto and optional Real-Time AWD.

⚖️ FWD weight: 1520kg (manual), 1544kg (auto).
AWD version: 1583kg, with 56:44 front/rear weight balance.

📉 Japan only got AWD + 4AT versions, making them pricier and less appealing than US models.

📦 To appeal to lifestyle buyers, Honda US offered numerous customization packages. In its debut year (2003), the Element sold 67,000+ units, far exceeding the monthly target of 5,000. But as the novelty faded, so did the sales.

🛠️ 2007 Facelift – Enter the SC Version
Honda updated the Element in 2007 with a new K24A8 engine (166 hp) and a 5-speed auto. The Element SC added color-matched bumpers, lens headlights, 18-inch wheels, and lower suspension for a sportier look.

🛋️ SC interiors ditched TPO for carpeting and offered sportier color schemes. A blue-themed version launched in 2008. (SC was FWD only—no one cared 😄).

🐶 Dog Friendly Edition
In 2009, after winning DogCars.com’s Best Pet-Friendly Vehicle award, Honda released the Dogs Friendly Package:

• Pet crate and bed 🐕

• Rear lift platform

• Rear fan (12V)

• Custom seat covers

• “Dog Friendly” badges on fenders and tailgate
  Price: $1,000, installed by the dealer.

📺 The campaign included the “Element and Friends” ad series, starring a crab named Gil, whose catchphrase “I pinch!” made him a hit.

🏁 In conclusion, the Honda Element became a cult classic, praised for its practicality and bold design. Although production ended in 2010, and it was officially retired in 2011, it still stands out. With over 322,000 units sold, it was more than just a trend—it was a legend.

💭 So, if you had ¥500,000 back then, would you have bought the Element... or stuck with the trusty CR-V?