Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Best Honda Element Model Years (Ranked)
Curated by Kory White · Fractional CRO, CRO SyndicateBest Honda Element Model Years (Ranked)
The Honda Element was a boxy, clever crossover sold in the United States from the 2003 to 2011 model years, all of a single generation built on the CR-V platform. It is beloved for its waterproof urethane floors, clamshell side doors with no B-pillar, fold-flat and removable rear seats, and a tall, square cargo box that swallows bikes, dogs, and gear.
Every Element used the same fundamentally tough 2.4-liter K24 four-cylinder engine, one of Honda's most durable powerplants, so the differences between years come down to power tweaks, transmission changes, trim features, and the 2007 facelift. Because the Element is a short-history, single-generation nameplate, this ranking covers the standout model years and individual trims to reach a full top ten.
Owners routinely report these vehicles passing 200,000 miles with nothing more than regular maintenance, which is why the Element retains a passionate following and strong resale values years after production ended.
Direct Answer
The best overall Honda Element is the 2009 EX with all-wheel drive, a post-facelift car with the stronger 166-horsepower engine, a five-speed automatic, body-color bumpers, and the most refined version of the cabin. The best value Honda Element is the 2007 LX, the first year of the more powerful engine and updated styling, which sells for noticeably less than later examples while driving almost identically.
Below are the ten best Element years and configurations ranked, with real specs and the reasons each lands where it does. Across the entire run the mechanical core is shared, so the ranking weighs equipment, transmission, drive type, and condition rather than fundamental durability, which is excellent throughout.
1. 2009 Honda Element EX AWD 🏆 BEST OVERALL
The 2009 Element EX with all-wheel drive is the most complete version of the truck. It uses the updated 2.4-liter K24 producing 166 horsepower and 161 lb-ft of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic and Honda's Real Time all-wheel drive. EPA ratings land around 19 city / 24 highway.
The EX trim adds alloy wheels, body-color bumpers and fender flares, cruise control, a six-disc audio system, and a power package that the base LX lacks. By 2009 the post-facelift cabin and the proven five-speed automatic were fully sorted, making this the smoothest, best-equipped, and most desirable Element to own.
The all-wheel-drive system adds genuine bad-weather and light-trail capability, and the higher seating position with huge glass area gives the driver an airy, commanding view. This is the Element to buy if you want the most refined, most capable example.
2. 2007 Honda Element LX 💎 BEST VALUE
The 2007 model year brought the mid-cycle refresh: revised front and rear styling, an interior update, and the bump to 166 horsepower from the earlier 156. The LX trim keeps things simple and durable, and because LX models and 2007s are more common and less sought-after than loaded EX cars, the 2007 LX is the best value in the lineup.
You get the stronger engine, the updated look, the same indestructible K24, and the same hose-it-out interior for meaningfully less money. The LX still includes the signature clamshell doors, removable rear seats, and waterproof floor that define the Element, so you sacrifice convenience features rather than the core utility.
For a buyer who wants a practical, dependable Element without paying EX prices, this is the smart pick and the one most likely to deliver years of trouble-free service for the lowest entry cost.
3. 2008 Honda Element EX AWD
The 2008 EX AWD is virtually identical to the 2009 and an outstanding buy. It carries the 166-horsepower 2.4-liter K24, the five-speed automatic, Real Time all-wheel drive, and the full EX equipment list including alloy wheels, body-color trim, and cruise control. It ranks just behind the 2009 only because the very latest examples tend to be marginally better preserved and slightly more refined.
Mechanically and functionally, an excellent 2008 EX AWD gives up essentially nothing to the top pick and often costs a little less, making it a savvy alternative for a buyer who shops on condition rather than chasing the newest possible year. Look for complete service records and clean undercarriage on any example.
4. 2010 Honda Element EX
The 2010 EX is a late-run, well-sorted Element with the 166-horsepower K24 and five-speed automatic. Late-production cars benefit from years of running fixes and the full EX feature set: alloys, body-color cladding, cruise, and the upgraded audio. It ranks here rather than higher mainly because 2010-2011 Elements are scarcer and tend to command a price premium as the model neared discontinuation.
As a low-risk, modern-feeling Element, the 2010 EX is a strong choice if you can find one at a fair price, and its later build date means fewer years of wear for a given mileage. Buyers in snowy regions should hunt for the all-wheel-drive version specifically.
5. 2011 Honda Element EX (Final Year)
The 2011 model year was the last for the Element, and final-year cars carry every running improvement made over the model's life. It uses the 166-horsepower 2.4-liter and five-speed automatic, with the complete EX feature set. Being the final year, well-kept 2011s are collectible among Element fans and hold value strongly, which is exactly why it lands mid-pack rather than at the top: you pay a premium for the last-of-the-line status.
If originality and the newest possible example matter to you, the 2011 EX is the one to chase, and its scarcity means a clean example will likely appreciate or at least hold its value better than almost anything else in this class.
6. 2007 Honda Element SC (Street Custom)
The 2007 SC introduced the sportier Street Custom trim: lowered suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels, monochrome body-color exterior, and a more car-like front-wheel-drive-only setup. It uses the same 166-horsepower K24 and was offered with a five-speed automatic. The SC trades some of the Element's rugged all-wheel-drive utility for a lower, sleeker street look and a slightly firmer ride.
It ranks here because the lowered suspension reduces ground clearance and the SC was front-drive only, but for buyers who love the boxy styling and want a sharper urban look, it is a distinctive pick that stands apart from every other Element on the road. The firmer ride is a fair trade for the sportier stance in city driving.
7. 2006 Honda Element EX AWD (Pre-Facelift)
The 2006 EX AWD is the best of the pre-facelift cars. It uses the earlier 2.4-liter K24 making 156 horsepower and 160 lb-ft, with the five-speed automatic that replaced the original four-speed during the first generation's run. EX equipment includes alloy wheels and cruise control.
It places mid-pack because it has the lower-output engine and the older interior, but the K24 is just as durable here and pre-facelift cars are typically the most affordable way into an all-wheel-drive Element. A clean 2006 EX is a rugged, sensible buy, and the slightly lower power figure is barely noticeable in everyday driving given the Element's modest performance mission to begin with.
8. 2005 Honda Element EX
The 2005 EX carries the original-generation 156-horsepower 2.4-liter and was available with the five-speed automatic that arrived mid-cycle, a meaningful improvement over the earliest four-speed. EX features include alloy wheels and a more complete equipment list than the base LX and DX.
It ranks lower because it predates the 2007 styling and power updates and is now an older vehicle, but mechanically it is as tough as any Element. For a budget-minded buyer who wants the boxy practicality and the removable, configurable rear seats, a well-cared-for 2005 EX delivers genuine value, especially if it has been kept rust-free and serviced on schedule.
9. 2004 Honda Element LX (Manual)
The 2004 LX is notable for the availability of a five-speed manual transmission, which enthusiasts prize for its engagement and simplicity. It uses the early 156-horsepower 2.4-liter K24. The manual makes the Element more fun and removes the automatic from the maintenance picture entirely.
It ranks near the bottom because early cars used the less-refined original drivetrain calibration and the cabin is the most basic, but for a hands-on owner who wants a stick-shift Element, a clean 2004 LX manual is a charming, durable pick that is increasingly hard to find. Manual examples in good condition are sought after and can command a surprising premium among Element devotees.
10. 2003 Honda Element (First Model Year)
The 2003 Element was the launch year and the original example of the breed, available with the 156-horsepower 2.4-liter and, on early cars, a four-speed automatic before the five-speed arrived. It introduced every signature feature: the clamshell doors, waterproof floor, removable rear seats, and square cargo box.
It ranks last because it has the oldest drivetrain, the simplest equipment, and the highest age, and the four-speed automatic in earliest cars is the least desirable gearbox. As the original, though, it remains a tough, honest vehicle if priced right, and a pristine first-year example holds appeal for collectors who want the purest expression of the Element concept exactly as Honda first introduced it.
How to Choose
The single most important split is before or after the 2007 facelift. Post-2007 cars get the 166-horsepower engine, updated styling, and a refreshed interior, and they are the ones to target if your budget allows. Within the post-facelift years, pick an EX with all-wheel drive (2008-2009) for the best blend of features, capability, and refinement.
If you want the sportier, lowered look and do not need all-wheel drive, the SC is the standout. For maximum value, a 2007 LX gives you the better engine and updated look at a lower price. Enthusiasts who want a stick should hunt down a manual LX.
Every Element shares the bulletproof K24 engine, so prioritize service history, rust inspection (check the rear wheel arches, the floor, and the unibody seams), and a clean interior over chasing a specific year. Because the Element holds its value so well, expect to pay more than for a comparable conventional crossover of the same age, and budget accordingly.
A pre-purchase inspection by a Honda specialist is money well spent given the model's age.
FAQ
Which Honda Element year is the best? The 2009 EX AWD is the best overall. It combines the post-facelift 166-horsepower engine, the proven five-speed automatic, all-wheel drive, and the most complete feature set, all in one of the latest and best-sorted model years, which is why clean examples remain in demand.
Are Honda Elements reliable? Yes, exceptionally. Every Element uses Honda's 2.4-liter K24 four-cylinder, among the most durable engines the company ever built, and the model regularly reaches 200,000-plus miles with routine maintenance. Rust on older examples is the main thing to inspect before buying.
What is the difference between the Element LX, EX, and SC? The LX is the practical base trim, the EX adds alloy wheels, cruise control, body-color trim, and upgraded audio, and the SC (Street Custom) is a lowered, front-drive-only sport version with 18-inch wheels and monochrome styling for a sharper urban look.
Did the Honda Element come with all-wheel drive? Yes. Most LX and EX Elements were available with Honda's Real Time all-wheel drive, while the SC trim was front-wheel drive only. All-wheel-drive models are the most capable in snow and on light trails and tend to command a premium on the used market.
Bottom Line
The Honda Element is a one-generation classic, and the post-facelift 2008-2009 EX AWD models are the best of the breed: the stronger 166-horsepower engine, the smooth five-speed automatic, all-wheel drive, and the most refined cabin. The 2007 LX is the value sweet spot, the SC is the choice for a sportier street look, and a manual LX rewards hands-on drivers.
Because every Element shares the same tough K24 engine, condition and service history matter more than the exact year, so buy the cleanest, rust-free example you can find and the Element will serve you faithfully for many years and many miles.
Sources
- Honda Element overview and model history — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Element
- EPA fuel economy ratings for Honda Element — https://www.fueleconomy.gov
- Honda Element specifications and trim details — https://automobiles.honda.com
- Honda Element reliability and owner reviews — https://www.edmunds.com/honda/element/
- Honda Element model-year reviews and rankings — https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/honda/element
- Honda Element engine and drivetrain specifications — https://www.caranddriver.com/honda/element