The ultra-versatile 2008 Honda Element SUV offers a spacious interior that quickly adapts to people or cargo, while three unique exterior styles range from rugged on the Element LX, to refined on the Element EX, to sporty on the "street custom-styled" Element SC. For 2008, available Element SC exterior color options expand to include Royal Blue Pearl (exclusive to the SC).
"The Element provides extraordinary levels of utility with its completely flat cargo floor, removable flip-up rear seats and convenient side cargo doors with integrated ‘B-pillars,'" said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "The Element also excels at both tailgating and side-gating – if you have a preference."
Standard safety equipment includes side-curtain airbags with a rollover sensor; front side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags; Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) and an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). Additionally, the Element has earned the federal government's top five-star crash safety rating for both frontal and side impacts.
The 166-horsepower, 2.4-liter i-VTEC® 4-cylinder engine connects to either a standard 5-speed manual transmission or an available 5-speed automatic transmission. Real Time 4WD™, available on the Element LX and EX, enhances all-weather traction.
Composite body panels on the fenders (black on LX, body-colored on EX and SC) provide increased dent resistance compared to steel panels.
Inside, spacious seating exists for four people along with a cargo area that quickly adapts to large items with removable, flip-up rear seats that fold flat, fold up and to the side, or can be removed altogether (64+ seating arrangements). The Element LX and EX have a black urethane-coated utility floor thatquickly wipes down and seat fabric that resists moisture; the Element SC has a carpeted passenger area. Air conditioning with micron air filtration is standard on all models. A tilt-able and removable 20x30-inch rear skylight is standard on Element LX and EX models equipped with available Real Time 4WD.
The Element LX has a 4-speaker AM/FM audio system with a CD player. The 270-watt high-output audio system in the EX and SC trim levels features an AM/FM tuner, CD player with MP3/WMA capability, auxiliary audio input for MP3 players or other audio devices, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, seven speakers including a dynamic linear phase 6.5-inch subwoofer (located in the bottom center of the instrument panel). The space occupied by the instrument panel-mounted subwoofer on EX and SC models is utilized as a storage bin on LX models. XM® Satellite Radio is standard on the Element EX and SC.
Numerous storage bins and beverage holders provide places for cell phones, CDs and super-size drinks. Available storage areas include: five beverage holders; low-profile floor console tray (LX, EX) between the front seats; a large three-bin tray above the glove box (perfect for cell phones and PDAs); an overhead storage bin (EX, SC); seat back storage (EX,SC); six hooks for strapping down bikes or other bulky gear; and door storage pockets on all four doors.
The Element SC stands apart with street custom-inspired styling with a lowered stance and exclusive premium features. The Element SC's exterior styling exhibits a sophisticated performance attitude with a monochromatic color scheme and exclusive features that include projector-beam halogen headlights, custom front and rear painted bumpers, large alloy wheels, custom grille, and a lowered stance. The lowered stance is achieved by lowering the ride height and by using uniquely shaped painted side sills and slimmer roof moldings.
Exclusive Element SC interior appointments include passenger-area carpeting, a center console with storage, piano black trim pieces and unique fabrics and patterns. The center console provides an additional enclosed storage area in the vehicle and integrates the auxiliary audio input jack and two beverage holders. Meter styling on all Element SC models is copper-hue, replacing the blue backlit illumination on the other models. Exclusive copper-color trim pieces are used on meters and dials of the Root Beer Metallic and Nighthawk Black Pearl vehicles.
The Element is equipped with dual-stage, dual-threshold supplemental restraint system (SRS) airbags for the driver and front passenger. These airbags are designed to minimize the potential for airbag injury while providing head and chest protection for the occupants in the event of a frontal collision. This front airbag system features front passenger seat weight sensors and a driver seat position sensor designed to further enhance occupant protection.
Seat-mounted front side airbags help safeguard the driver and front passenger from side-impact injury. An innovative Occupant Position Detection System is used to assure that the passenger's side airbag has a clear path for deployment. In the event that a child (or a small-statured adult) leans into the deployment path of the side airbag, a seven-segment "antenna" system built within the seat back signals this condition to an electronic control unit (ECU) and the passenger's side airbag is switched off.
Both rows of occupants are protected by Honda's Side Curtain Airbag with rollover sensor system. The side curtain airbags deploy from modules in the roof in the event of a sufficient side impact, providing a significant level of head protection in the window area. In the unlikely event of a rollover, a roll rate sensor and multiple G-force sensors determine the rate of roll and deploy the side curtain airbags accordingly.
Both front seat belts have automatic-tensioners and load limiters that work together to help protect the driver and front passenger in a collision. A LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) child-seat mounting system is standard for the two rear seat positions, allowing two outboard child seats to be installed. For pedestrian safety, design features in the front of the vehicle can help absorb energy in the event of a collision with a pedestrian to help minimize injury.
The Element's fully-independent suspension uses a control link MacPherson strut front suspension and a compact double wishbone rear suspension for responsive handling and a comfortable ride. A 101.4-inch wheelbase contributes to a compact exterior size and an ultra-tight turning diameter of 34.9-feet (36.2-feet, Element SC) provides maneuverability in tight places. Chassis highlights include Vehicle Stability Assist (also known as Electronic Stability Control) and four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. Vehicle Stability Assist helps sense oversteer and understeer, and can adjust brake pressure at each wheel and/or reduce engine power to help restore the driver's intended course. Electronic Brake Distribution helps to balance braking forces depending on dynamic loading. Brake Assist helps apply full braking force in some emergency braking situations.
Element LX and EX models are equipped with 16-inch wheels (steel on LX, alloy on EX) with all-season P215/70R16 tires. Additional LX and EX standard features include power rack-and-pinion steering and front and rear stabilizer bars (30.0x4.5 mm tubular front / 21.0 mm solid rear). A Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) alerts the driver when tire pressure reaches a critically low level.
The Element SC adds 18-inch alloy wheels, P225/55R18 tires, exclusive spring and damper tuning (30 percent firmer), a lowered ride height (approximately 0.7 inches) and increased rear stabilizer bar size (25.0 mm, solid). Compared to Element LX and EX, the solid front stabilizer bar is 25 percent more stiff and the rear stabilizer bar 30 percent more stiff. The steering rack also provides a 6 percent faster ratio (2.94:1 compared to 3.26:1).
An all-aluminum DOHC 2.4-liter i-VTEC engine produces 166-horsepower at 5800 rpm and 161 lb-ft. of torque at 4500 rpm. The Element's i-VTEC system combines Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC®) and a cam position-adjusting Variable Timing Control (VTC™) system to enhance low rpm torque while extending high rpm horsepower. The result is a broad torque curve that starts early at low rpm's while still delivering high-revving horsepower.
The five-speed manual transmission features a lightweight and rigid aluminum die-cast housing. Multi-cone synchronizers used on first through fourth gears contribute to a smooth, fluid shift feel while reducing throw distances. Inside, the instrument panel- mounted shift lever facilitates quick, direct gear changes. The five-speed automatic transmission (available) delivers exceptional smoothness, economy and intuitive shift points. Grade Logic Control minimizes "gear hunting" on hilly roads.
Available on Element LX and EX, the Real Time 4WD system delivers added traction in snow, rain and sand. Real Time 4WD sends power to the rear wheels when the front wheels experience traction loss.
The vehicle maintenance schedule is calculated by the Maintenance Minder™ system. Maintenance Minder automatically indicates when to have standard service performed based on actual driving conditions (tracked by the ECU) and minimizes the guesswork in determining standard or severe use conditions for maintenance interval purposes. The display indicates when to change the oil, air filter, transmission fluid, spark plugs or coolant, as well as when to rotate the tires. The Element requires no scheduled tune-ups for 100K+/- Miles .
The Element is assembled in Ohio at the Honda of America Mfg., Inc., East Liberty Auto Plant using domestic and globally sourced parts.
1Government star ratings are part of the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) New Car Assessment
Program (www.safercar.gov).
2100K+/- Miles No Scheduled Tune-ups: May vary with driving conditions.
Does not apply to fluid and filter changes. Exact mileage is determined by actual
driving conditions. Please see the owner's manual for more details.
