Honda

2010 Honda Element LX All-Wheel Drive

Family Friendliness: 7.8

Recommended: Not Yet Driven

Specifications also apply to EX all-wheel drive models.

What it Is: A four-passenger, four-door compact crossover.
What's Hot: Clever packaging includes a hose-out interior, special package for dog owners.
What's Not: Only four passengers.
Family Friendly Options: Dog-friendly package, navigation, USB port for iPod.
How It Got Its Score: The Honda Element is one of the lowest-priced crossovers you can get, offers useful cargo space inside and gets decent if not stellar fuel economy. Its primary drawback is that it only seats four people.

The 2010 Honda Element is a four door, despite appearances to the contrary. This is because the rear doors are hinged at the rear, rather than in front. It's all part of the Element's outdoorsy image, which places utility as paramount, sometimes over style. The rear-hinged doors gives the Element a huge opening through which you can load objects, such as child seats, quite easily. There's also good cargo space behind the rear seats, and if you fold up the rear seats you have a big, tall load space. Couple it with the hose-off vinyl floors and you have the perfect compact family hauler, but for one thing: The Honda Element only seats four people, limiting its ability as a family hauler. Also, while the rubber floor mats are easy to clean, they aren't particularly stylish and could turn off some buyers. On the other hand, the Element is particularly well suited to dog owners, and Honda has capitalized on this with a special package that includes a zip-up dog carrier and a small ramp to make it easier for four-legged family members to get inside.

Specifications Price MSRP $21,775 Destination $710 Other Models (Base Price) EX ($24,595) Mechanical Engine Size 2.4 liters Engine Type Inline-4 Horsepower 166 hp Torque 161 lb.-ft. Fuel Regular Unleaded Drivetrain All Wheel Drive Transmission 5-Speed Automatic Fuel Economy EPA City 19 mpg EPA Highway 24 mpg EPA Combined 21 mpg Utility Vehicle Type Small SUV Family Friendliness 7.8 Doors Four Seat Rows Two Passengers Four LATCH Positions Two Cargo Space 25.1 cu. ft. Max Cargo Space 74.6 cu. ft. Safety NHTSA Driver Front 5 Stars NHTSA Passenger Front 5 Stars NHTSA Driver Side 5 Stars NHTSA Rear Passenger Side 5 Stars NHTSA Rollover 3 Stars IIHS Front Good IIHS Side Good IIHS Rear Good Stability Control Standard Traction Control Standard Brake Assist Standard Side Airbags Thorax and Curtain Collision Avoidance Not Available Active Cruise Control Not Available

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