#HONDA #hondaelement #hybrid

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What if Honda made a current-day Element? Sadly Gil the Crab, Chuck the Rat, and DJ underground the Mole have been without a job since 2011. Nearly 70% of the 1,600 voters want to see the dorm room on wheels return. Today I’ll be covering the History of the sorely-missed Element, Detail what I’d like to see in a modern interpretation, and address your comments regarding Honda’s pinchable moving box.


LIke most production cars, the Element started as a concept. The model X, no- not the Tesla, the Honda Model X, debuted at the 2001 North American International Auto show in Detroit. It was designed to combine pickup features with an SUV with inspiration coming from surfboards and lifeguard stations. On Jan 4, 2002 Honda announced the model X would become a production mode with a low price point for entry-level buyers.
The Honda Element began production in December 2022 as a 2003 model year. It was produced in east liberty Ohio based off the 2nd gen CR-V. It featured bi-parting doors without B-pillars, urethan flooring for easing cleaning, side folding, back folding, sliding removable seats, a tailgate, and an optional rear glass roof for camping folk who sleep in their car.
The element was powered by a 160hp 2.4L K24A4 4 cylinder mated to a 4speed auto or 5 speed manual transmission. AWD was available, FWD standard. Fuel economy was a dismal 19 MPG and capable of towing 1500lbs. Initially the Element was offered in DX and EX trims. 2005 DX was replaced by LX. 2006 EX-P offered a fully-painted vehicle. 2007 was the refresh offering a 6hp boost and a 5 speed auto replacing the 4 speed. The grille was reworked and the new FWD-only SC trim level had a unique bumper and grille, lowered suspension, 18” wheels, projector headlamps, tribal print fabric and a non-removable center console. 2009 was minor refresh no offering a nav system, new hood and grille, all-metal fenders and squared off wheel arches. Sadly the rear moonroof was killed in 2009 and manual was beginning to be phased out. Honda wanted to sell 50,000 Elements per year. They sold over 67,000 in 2003, but by 2010 only 14,000. The entry-level pricing wasn’t low enough for first-time buyers as the median age for the Element ended up at 42 years old. The Honda Element was featured in my 10th-ever video back in 2018 gaining almost 150,000 views despite my terrible film quality and my complete lack of knowledge on the Element at the time. After driving past my neighbors Tangerine Metallic Element every day, I finally was convinced that I need to have a new Element video on the channel for the first time since June of 2018. More importantly I believe Honda could benefit massively from a properly executed life-style focused vehicle right now. They have nothing in the lineup to go against the Bronco Sport, Jeep Renegade, and God forbid Toyota get their feet wet with the TJ cruiser or FT-4X

So what would I like in a modern-day Honda Element? Let’s start with the Powertrains.
2.0L base CVT, AWD avail $25k base, 28mpg
2.0L hybrid eCVT, AWD avail $28k base, 40mpg
1.5t Si - 6MT AWD standard $30k base, 25mpg
PHEV too expensive. EV? Small Truck Variant?

Features:
Honda Sensing and Android Built In
5 Seater
Removeable seats, sliding, folding
Plastic floors, Big boxy room
Glass Roof option
Tailgate return
Removeable center console
Hybrid - 1500W inverter

Competitors? TJ Cruiser, Soul, Bronco Sport, Jeep Renegade



00:00 - We want a NEW Element
00:47 - History
04:05 - Ideal Element Powertrains
06:42 - Modern Features
08:26 - The People Have Spoken