| provided by: |  |
Christopher Jackson | 9/7/2007 | Honda
Honda's Element may have started the party for trendy, multi-useful, outside-of-the-box-thinkin' vehicles, but Scion crashed it in a big way. Where the larger Element found buyers among an older audience, the compact Scions were the ones to light the fire among young urban hipsters.
Blame the mysteries of automotive marketing, blame Honda's advertising which was noticeably less "edgy" than Scion's, or blame the Element's larger size and higher price--whatever the reason, the Element seemed to have missed the elusive street-cred target.
The Element's got the capacity for cool though, and for 2007 it's bringing that to the surface with the Element SC. "SC" stands for "Street Custom," and this tweaked-out Element hits the streets as a much more rockin' box than before. The multi-tasking fundamentals of the category-busting Element are unchanged, but a slammed suspension, fresh styling tweaks and more power go a long way toward making this ride look at home on city streets.
The Element receives a number of subtle styling updates for 2007, including a redesigned grille and new headlight surrounds. Painted cladding is now standard on the Element EX, for drivers who don't care for the gray plastic fenders of the base model. Other than that, the box is the same, and it's no less polarizing than it was when it debuted. You either love or hate the Element's wheeled-brick styling, which includes SUV cues like heavy bumpers and fender flares. Thick pillars all around and an upright windshield give the Element a passing resemblance to an armored truck, and the toughened-up Element SC's 18" wheels, special colors like Root Beer Metallic and monochromatic body panels impart a dose of the street-thug burliness that folks have been flocking to the Hummer H2 and Toyota FJ Cruiser to find.
Of course, the Element won't ever be considered any kind of off-roader--especially the front-wheel drive only Element SC. The MacPherson strut front, compact-wishbone rear suspension has been tightened up and lowered 1.25 inches for a more aggressive, street-ready look. It's not all for show, either. Push the Element SC into a corner and the tall body will lean, but those big 225-series tires allow it to stick with surprising tenacity. It's got a faster steering rack as well. The SUV-ish waddle that's always been part and parcel of the Element's handling is completely exorcised by the lowered suspension. The ride is probably too stiff for the tastes of more conservative buyers but just right for pounding around steamy, late-night city streets. We'd hesitate to call it honestly sporty, but for rolling slow'n'low on city streets, the Element SC is ready to cruise. In standard ride-height form, the Element is still available with winter-taming all-wheel drive and a much softer suspension. Honda's Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) stability control doesn't do much to curb the Element's tippy tendencies, but it will keep the box going in a straight line when understeer sets in.
What the Element gives up to other SUVs in terrain-conquering ability, it more than makes up for in domestic versatility. Just as the standard Element has a urethane floor, ready to get dirty hauling toys or camping equipment, the Element SC is set up to be a mobile entertainment center and road-tripper. Carpet is standard, classy piano-black trim is added to the dash and a large console between the front seats can swallow CDs and other items. Look closely and you'll see that the door panels and seat upholstery sport a special "tattoo" pattern. The wide, comfortable seats and ample head and leg room front and rear will let you bring four friends along, and standard XM satellite radio coming through the 270-watt, subwoofer-equipped sound system will keep them entertained. Honda has upgraded all Elements for '07 with seat-mounted seatbelts that make entering the rear seat easier, and the dash is brightly lit by LEDs. The cargo area remains uncarpeted, so the Element SC can still carry the dirty stuff if it has to. Six standard airbags (including new side-curtain airbags) plus rollover sensors round out the safety package.
The 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine has been modified for '07 with a revised intake system and boosted midrange torque. The new induction system also results in a ten-horsepower boost, to 166. That's modest, but the large-ish four-cylinder puts out enough torque that the Element feels adequately powered. Drive-by-wire electronic throttle has been added, and works with Honda's familiar iVTEC system to offer surprising torque while keeping emissions low. Even with the additional horsepower, the Element's not very happy with hard acceleration--mass is the enemy, here, and the Element has almost 3600 pounds to move. Drivers looking for an SUV with serious get-up-and-go are advised to look elsewhere.
A new five-speed automatic transmission is available. A five-speed manual is also available, but it's not much of a performance transmission and the Element SC is one of the few vehicles in which we'd recommend the autobox over the stick. The Element SC is two-wheel drive only.
The Element is one of the most versatile and affordable vehicles on the market, offering urban versatility that few vehicles can match. It isn't much good out on the farm, but around town it's the modern-day equivalent of the hip, multi-tasking, cheerfully counterculture 1960s VW Microbus. Add in a Honda-reliable powertrain and tight body construction and a much-needed sense of style and the Element SC is worth a look. Pricing starts at $22,695 with a manual transmission and goes up to $23,495 for the stick. Standard Element pricing starts at $18,900 for two-wheel drive, and $20,300 for AWD.
Specifications:
All specs are for the 2007 Honda Element SC.
Length: 170.8 in.
Width: 71.5 in.
Height: 69.5 in.
Wheelbase: 101.4 in.
Curb weight: 3596 lb.
Cargo space: 74.6. cu.ft. (rear seats removed)
Base price: $22,695
Engine: 2.4 liter DOHC four-cylinder
Drivetrain: five-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Horsepower: 166 @ 5800
Torque: 161 @ 4500
Fuel capacity: 15.9 gal.
Est. mileage: 22/27
Continue to article on OnWheelsInc.com