2009 Honda Element
The Element is Honda’s stylishly boxy SUV. It first appeared as a 2003 model offering impressive utility and unique styling that did nothing to hide its versatile interior and cavernous cargo capabilities. In 2007, the Honda Element received a minor refresh which included a small boost in horsepower and a new 5-speed automatic transmission. The 2009 Honda Element is offered with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and a standard 5-speed manual transmission driving the front wheels. A 5-speed automatic transmission is optional (EPA fuel economy ratings with this transmission choice are 20 mpg city and 25 mpg highway). The sporty Element SC model includes a retuned suspension, large wheels and tires, and a lowered ride height. In our 2008 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which measures problems experienced by original owners during the third year of ownership, the Element proved its reliability and ranked highest (in a tie) in its segment. There is little questioning its crash test scores, as the Element earned a “Top Safety Pick” label from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and earned “5-star” crash test scores from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The 2009 model is a carryover.
2009 Small SUVs Buyer's Guide
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