2004 Honda Element Y Package - 4WD from North America - Comments

Nothing Yet.

The unique styling of this vehicle caught my attention right away.

I had been shopping for a 4WD that had better fuel economy, and this was the only one that seemed to have the interior room and price.

Overall, This is an excellent vehicle. My major complaint about this vehicle is the ability to see beside you when changing lanes. A little extra caution is required.

Comfort - I find this vehicle quite comfortable inside, albeit, a little spartan. There is plenty of room for everyone in this car, with a huge amount of room for the rear passengers. I find the dashboard a little close to the knees on the passenger side, although the driver side appears to have plenty of room. I have taken it on a 1200 kilometer trip, and find it quite comfortable to sit in.

Sound System - For all the hype, this sound system is not all that good. I find it lacking in mid range punch, although the sub sounds great.

Cruising - This is a very smooth riding car on the highway, although, the tire noise is quite loud. The engine runs very quiet for a 4 Cylinder, even at a higher RPM.

City Driving - Easy to park, easy to get around the city.

Annoying things - The fuel light comes on very early. When my fuel light came on when I was driving on the highway, I filled up the tank and it only took 45 liters. The tank actually holds 60 liters. Fuel economy is not what I expected it to be. I get roughly 11 liters per 100 kilometers. Not bad, but I would have thought better from a 4 cylinder engine.

Mechanics - A well built car. Everything fits tight and the engine has the power to keep me out of trouble on the highway. Smooth manual 5 speed transmission with a positive position for each gear. Clutch is great.

Ergonomics - All the gauges are easy to read, as long as you keep the seat back, the rear lifting or foldup seats give a huge amount of room in the back and overall, I find this a comfortable vehicle.

Would I buy another one? You bet I would.

Excuse my lack of knowledge - but in 2004 did Honda make both an AWD and 4WD version of the element Ex?

YES...both FWD+AWD...with and w/o side airbags...5pd or auto.

I used the term AWD (All Wheel Drive) and 4WD (4 Wheel Drive) to mean the same thing. I realize that they are not quite the same, but the net effect is. It also comes in a FWD which is the acronym for Front Wheel Drive. Hope that clarifies what I meant.

I just thought i'd solve the problem and tell you all that awd (all wheel drive) means the vehicle mainly uses the rear wheels, but when needed the front wheels come into play, in otherwards you don't have the option 2wd or 4wd. 4wd (four wheel drive) you have the option of 2wd high which is mainly the rear wheels, 4wd high which you use for higher speeds this does pretty much the same as all wheel, or 4wd low for those times you need a little more umf to get out of that mud or snow. I'm thinking of buying an element and it seems 99% of the time things I hear are good so I'm aming to get one in the next year or so.

AWD can mean either front or rear wheel drive as primary. In the case of the Element, it means FRONT wheel as primary.

Qestion? can you fit a large dirtbike in the back of this baby and how is the 4wd?

I once saw someone towing a little trailer with two 4 wheelers on it, and those were caked in mud. But it looked as though the people had more fun driving the Element through the mud. The only part of it that wasn't covered was where they had scraped the mud off of the tail lights, the front turn signals, and where the front and rear wipers had been wiping. It looked like one of those safari trucks on the Discovery Channel. I wish I could get one, but my credit is struggling right now... I LOVE THESE CARS!!! Grrrrrrr... I wish I could have one... >:- (

? is it rhinolineable.can the 4wd get trough deep sand or cinders

Has any one here tried puting a lift on the element is it even possible since its on a modified civic platform.

Update to my review...

I have now had this car for 4 years and NOT ONE SINGLE THING HAS GONE WRONG. It still runs like new. I did have to change the tires after 130 km but that was to be expected. All I have had done to this car was take it in for regular oil changes, lube etc... I just followed the recommended Honda service and as I said, still no problems.

For the record, this is not a modified Civic platform. It is modified from the CRV 4WD.

Lifters?...Why...