Auto Week (2003)
Its 2.4-liter dual-cam four turns out enough power to keep up with traffic, but with just 160 hp at 5500 rpm and 161 lb-ft at 4500 rpm of peak output, it’s hardly a thrilling motor, even in full VTEC mode.

Canadian Driver (2003)
One of the Element’s unique design features is its ‘pillarless’ door design. There is no centre pillar between the front and rear doors, and the rear doors open towards the rear creating a large opening for ease of entry into the front and rear seats, or into the rear cargo area.

Cars.com (2003)
Honda says the Element combines the best traits of a pickup truck and a sport utility vehicle, and it retains the most striking feature of the Model X concept: a pillarless side-door configuration that yields maximum cargo-loading flexibility.

Detroit News (2003)
Outside of the boxy exterior design, which is truly ugly, and those unfriendly suicide-style rear doors, the Element succeeds on so many levels.

Edmunds (2003)
The Element seats four and their gear; in the event that extra cargo space is needed, rear seats fold away to create a wide-open interior.

Statesman Classifieds (2003)
The Element is designed to accommodate gear-intensive outdoor activities, provide a place to hang out afterwards and even a place to sleep. About all it lacks is a keg fridge.

The Car Connection (2003)
Element is the second SUV built atop Honda’s excellent Global Small Car (GSC) platform and shares most of its structure, suspension and drivetrain components with and is about the same size as other vehicles constructed around the GSC, including the Civic, the Acura RSX and its closest platform-mate, the CR-V.