In the automotive world, there’s only one Element we really care about. No, not carbon or hydrogen, the one from Honda. The boxy crossover wasn’t quite beloved when it was on sale, but it has acquired a huge following since it went away. Now, according to a new report, it’s coming back. And this time, it will be a hybrid.
Honda Could Be In Its Element With Return Of A Classic
2009 Honda Element – front and back seats, steering wheel, dashboard, gear shiftHonda
Honda is planning to start building a new Element in the second quarter of 2029, Automotive News reports. The report cites sources familiar with the plan, who also said that Honda’s global production for the reborn vehicle would come from a plant in central Ohio.
The Japanese car company currently has factories in both East Liberty and Marysville, Ohio. The former builds crossovers, the latter the Honda Accord and Acura Integra. Marysville was slated to start building the Honda 0 sedan and SUVs, but with that electric plan canceled, it has some assembly space to fill.
Like the original Element, the report says that the new one would be aimed at younger buyers and adventurers. That was the same target audience the first time around, though it may encounter the same challenges as a result. When Honda launched the Element in 2002, it was like nothing else on the market in the US. The shape was almost a complete box, with large swaths of plastic cladding designed to add durability as much as style.
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Its Massive Practicality Has Left A Massive Hole In The Market
2003 – 2006 Honda Element – front 3/4 angle Honda
Rear-opening coach-style doors like extended cab pickups of the time gave a wide opening to an interior with flexibility that matched its size. Plastic flooring, stain resistant fabrics, and rear seats that could fold flat and up against the walls of the SUV gave it incredible practicality.
It also came standard with one of Honda’s iconic K-Series engines. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder made 160 horsepower in early years, rising to 166 later on. Most got the automatic transmission, but a five-speed manual was offered through most of its life.
In its first year, Honda sold almost 70,000 units after projections for 50,000. Sales slowed after that, and the model was affected by the 2008 recession. It was discontinued in early 2011, with sales reaching approximately 325,000 in the US.
The Right Vehicle At The Right Time
The time could be perfect for a new Element. Honda has that factory space which had been allocated to its EVs. The market is also clamoring for low-cost choices and buyers have been going wild for adventure-themed vehicles like SUVs with the tiniest suspension lifts and extra plastic, like Honda’s own TrailSport models. There’s still nothing like the original Element on the market.
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So far, this is just a rumor. CarBuzz contacted Honda for more information; a company spokesperson provided the following statement:
“The Honda Element has maintained a cult following since it was discontinued in 2011, and hopes for its possible return continue to circulate online. We sincerely appreciate the enthusiasm for the Element, but we are not going to engage in speculation about our future product plans.”
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
A rear three-quarter shot of a 2007-2008 Honda Element Honda
The original Element was immensely practical, but it was also affordable. The $16,100 base price in 2003 (plus just $460 delivery) made it $2,800 less than a CR-V. That’s 15% less, which could make it around $27,515 in today’s market. If Honda could pull that off, it might have a smash hit. That could hurt sales of its $26,600 HR-V already on dealer lots, but it’s possible a new, inexpensive Element could steal sales from competitors like the Ford Bronco Sport.
Source: Automotive News
