Jump LinksCompared to a New CR-V, for ReferenceBest Element Year for ReliabilityAvoid this Honda Element YearFinding a balance between reliability, family-sized practicality, and affordability feels like an unwinnable battle. The new-car market offers tons of models that feature one or two of those factors, but rarely all three. For example, a vehicle can be big enough for a family, and relatively affordable, but it might not be reliable. Or a model could be reliable and cheap, but the cabin might not hold much cargo. With all that said, it's time to look at the used market because the Honda Element is one of the most well-balanced models out there.This writer doesn't think they're that ugly, but the Element's styling hasn't exactly held up to today's standards. Nevertheless, if you can get over the fact that newer models might look better, this Honda crossover can do anything you need it to. The model is getting old now, so there are many examples with higher mileage. There's proven reliability, though, and the Honda's age only makes these boxy machines even more affordable.In this article, we take a closer look at the Element, including its history, what they cost on the used market today, what powers them, the model's reliability, and more. A Charming Box: The Honda Element Bring A TrailerThe Honda Element had a relatively short life. Honda introduced its funky cube-shaped crossover to the world for the 2003 model year, after which the model received a single update for the 2009 model year. Ultimately, the nameplate lasted for just one generation that ended after the 2011 model. It joined a lineup of other small SUVs like the CR-V, which continues to be one of the brand's best-selling models. While plenty of people would love to see the Element make a comeback, we're happy to see used examples for sale across the country without issues and in good condition. An Affordable Alternative to Modern Crossovers HondaThe chart above displays the average value for a 2011 Element LX with front-wheel drive. The listings currently show an average price of about $12,000 right now, but that can fluctuate with the rest of the market. According to Kelley Blue Book, the fair purchase price of a 2011 Element LX is about $10,450, and the EX trim can go for about $11,750. A used vehicle's price depends on its condition and a variety of other factors; make sure to take a good look at any car before purchasing it. The Element's Practical and Roomy Interior HondaThe interior is the Element's most appealing feature. One might look at the numbers and see that it can seat only four people. Yes, that's discouraging to some potential buyers, but think about how often you'd be squeezing a passenger into the middle seat of a modern crossover, anyway. That said, the real reason this car is so great is for its seats' functions.The second row can actually fold, then flip up to the sides of the car. It opens up a wide, flat cargo area that matches current cargo volume expectations. It gets better, though, since both rows of seats can fold flat to make a bed that spans from the steering wheel to the cargo space. If that's not convincing enough for you, Honda also offered an option that turned the back into a dog bed, calling it the Honda Dog Friendly Element. Compared to a New CR-V, for Reference HondaTo help put the Element's interior into perspective, let's take a look at the 2026 CR-V. It's Honda's best-selling model by a landslide - the automaker sold 403,769 units in the United States over the course of 2025, while the next-best-selling model was the HR-V with 148,771 units. That's all to say that we understand why the Element was so popular, too. Both models are similar in the amount of headroom, legroom, and cargo space they offer. The biggest difference is that the CR-V can fit an extra person, and its seats don't fold to the sides as the Element's do. Honda Element Powertrains and Specs Bring A TrailerIf you've ever heard about "K-swapping" a Honda, it's because Honda's K-Series engine is so good. It's overbuilt to handle more power than ever available from the factory, making the powerplant a solid platform for tuners and enthusiasts to work on. This is another reason the Element is a fun platform because it uses the popular K24 engine.The robust 2.4-liter inline-four was never all that powerful in this crossover, though. The Element only made 166 horsepower and 161 pound-feet of torque. Buyers could select front- or all-wheel-drive layouts. Depending on the model year, the Element could be equipped with a five-speed automatic, four-speed automatic, or five-speed manual transmission. Possible Element Problems and Reliability HondaDespite a couple of rough years near the beginning of its life, the Element was generally a solid, reliable car with few issues. We talked about how the K24 engine is a great platform for tuners and custom car builders who need a small package to make big power, which is part of why the Element is so reliable. It's not uncommon to see newly launched cars with more problems than in later model years, since automakers tend to work out issues as they arise in a model's generation. With that in mind, here's the best Element model year for reliability, and one that we would try to stay away from. Best Element Year for Reliability Bring A TrailerWithout a doubt, the 2011 Honda Element is the best of them. It's also the final model year. None of the NHTSA's recalls for this model year affect reliability. Most of them concern the Takata airbag saga that plagues so many models from that era and beyond. However, there's one potentially dangerous recall that covers 3,744 units: the accelerator pedal may bind, which could fail to release the pedal to idle as quickly as it should.As for customer complaints, the 2011 Element is pretty clean. There are currently only 11 complaints to the NHTSA, mostly about the airbag recall, and a single person claims the steering wheel's hub support mounting bracket cracked, leading to a loose steering wheel. Among the reasons to consider a 2011 Element is its J.D. Power score of 81/100 in quality and reliability, and RepairPal's 4/5 reliability rating. Avoid this Honda Element Year HondaWhile the earlier 2003 Element lacks scores from J.D. Power and RepairPal, we have plenty of data from the NHTSA and Car Complaints to back up our decision to list it as the least-reliable Element year. There are currently 12 recalls affecting it (though most still pertain to the Takata airbags), and 531 customer complaints on the NHTSA and Car Complaints websites.The only notable recall, aside from the airbags, is a dangerous one issued in August 2010. It explains that removing the key while the transmission is not in Park can cause the car to roll away.Over 200 customer complaints are related to the windshield cracking, which can be expensive and annoying, but doesn't necessarily affect reliability. There have been other problems, though, such as engine misfires, an excessively high idle, transmission shaking during acceleration, and some people experiencing torque converter failure. It's Not Pretty, But The Element Will Do Bring A TrailerThe Element is a very versatile vehicle for people who need a multifunctional vehicle. A buyer can drive it to work all week and then fold the seats to create a big spot for hauling pets on the weekend. This Honda falls into a class of its own with unique sizing and styling. It features one of the coolest interior layouts that can help haul large objects and furniture, or turn into a bed for long road trips. If you can get into a later model year, the K24 engine and other mechanical parts of the crossover are reliable, too. The best part is that they're old enough to be pretty cheap today.