May 22, 2007 - For those seeking a roomy, efficiently designed compact sport utility vehicle, Honda's Element has been a vehicle that one could confidently recommend to friends and family.

Save for a few caveats.

For instance, despite available all-wheel drive and mini-Hummer styling, you wouldn't really want to take an Element anywhere tougher off-road than a gravel cottage lane. Even with a four-cylinder engine and a manual transmission, the Element's blocky profile doesn't exactly get great fuel consumption or deliver neck-snapping performance. And one would think the Honda's commodious, hose-it-out cabin would be great for young families.



But with seating limited to four spots and rear-hinged back doors that always need a parent's intervention, Honda's more conventional CR-V is the practical parent's pick.

So for 2007, Honda is addressing some of the Element's aforementioned purchase qualifications, and adding even more personality to the lineup with this $29,900 Element SC.

Starting with the base front-wheel-drive, five-speed-manual Element LX at $25,200, the entire 2007 lineup receives updated exterior and interior styling, along with enhanced levels of safety equipment and more horsepower.

Honda's stylists have been evolving the original Element's quasi-SUV look with less unpainted bodywork. The Element SC is the first Element to get the full monochromatic treatment, with a unique grille and bumpers, side sills and side roof embellishments. Adding to the aftermarket look, Honda has "slammed" the SC by lowering its ride height 20 mm over 18-inch alloy wheels.

Narrower, projector beam headlamps, heavily tinted windows and dark chrome taillights only added to my neighbour's concern that Darth Vader was visiting for the week I had the Element SC in my laneway.

From the Honda SUV's driver's seat, you're presented with a near-vertical windshield, big funky gauges, NBA point guard headroom and a steering wheel angled like a school bus.

Before turning the key, my first impression was of an oversized Mini Cooper. Both have room for four. But for the price, no other vehicle treats its four occupants to so much head, foot and elbow room as Honda's Element.



Although the Element's chassis is based on the last-generation CR-V, for 2007, it does receive the upgraded 2.4-litre four-banger. A new high-flow intake and exhaust system lets the engine breathe more freely and a drive-by-wire throttle quickens its response.

Maybe too much.

Its 166 hp (10 more than last year) and 160 lb.-ft. of torque may not sound like much. But even with the standard stability and traction control on, it's all too easy to chirp the Element SC's P225/55 R18 Goodyear Eagle LS-2 all-season rubber in the first two gears of the standard five-speed manual transmission. A clutch pedal with a late engagement didn't help in making stealthy exits, either.

(A $1,200 five-speed automatic transmission is the only option on the front-wheel-drive-only SC model.)



The Mini comparisons continue when you meet your first corner in the sportiest Element yet. The SC sports suspension's 30 per cent stiffer shocks and springs, lowered ride and lower-aspect tires deliver a surprisingly flat cornering attitude for a vehicle with such a high centre of gravity.

It's also during this type of enthusiastic driving that the SC's lack of a telescoping steering wheel, and obtrusive front knee bolsters start to add to the Honda's caveat list.

And don't forget this Element's bone-jarring ride.

On anything other than smooth pavement, the short wheelbase will have you and your occupants looking like bobble-head dolls. And the constant pounding during the annual spring pothole season loosened up the Element SC's cabin, creating very un-Honda-like creaks and rattles from the front passenger door cavity.

Of course, this all may be moot if you're smitten with the Element SC's bad boy looks and spunky driving nature. Based on the number of baggy-panted young males who gawked at my tester, Honda won't have any problem selling every SC it can make.



Originally (for model year 2004), the Element was the creation of a bunch of young Honda engineers looking for a vehicle that fit a frat boy's lifestyle. One that could not only handle a cross-country road trip, but also tote around surfboards, mountain bikes or snowboards.

This rig is also best for DINKs. Because although the Element's new integrated front seatbelts help entry into and exit out of the rear seats, it's still hard to recommend it to anyone who has small children. One still needs to get out of the vehicle and open a front door to let anyone in or out of the back seats.



For many shoppers, including empty-nesters who love the little Honda SUV for its practical nature and low price, the less sporty Element models may suffice. The standard vehicle's suspension, with its taller 215/70 R16 rubber, definitely produces a ride that's easier on aging bones.

And you still get the '07's elemental upgrades.

Okay, so the Element doesn't work by a conventional compact sport utility vehicle's modus operandi. What it does have is more charm wrapped up in its clamshell tailgate than 12 CR-Vs parked in a row.

Like Toyota's FJ Cruiser (which shares some of the Honda's day-to-day limitations), the 2007 Element synthesizes a reliable, well-built, practical vehicle with copious amounts of character, style and functionality.

The sporty Element SC model merely jacks that character up a notch or three.

- John LeBlanc, Publisher, www.straight-six.com



Just the facts...
Build quality
Features
Performance
Fun-to-drive
Overall value 

Price base/as tested: $29,900/$29,900
Federal rebate/fee: No
Engine: 2.4 L inline-four
Power/torque: 166 hp/160 lb.-ft.
Fuel consumption: city 11.3, hwy 8.7, as tested 11.5 L/100 km
Competition: Chevrolet HHR, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Mazda5
What's best: Generous room for price; street cred
What's worst: Sport suspension is too sporty
What's interesting: Warts and all, a lovable, chuckable urban vehicle

This article originally appeared in The Toronto Star's Wheels.