The original Honda Element had a distinctly boxy look and cultivated a cult following before Honda discontinued the model in 2011. The Honda Element could make a comeback, at least according to a new report by Automotive News. Honda killed the once-popular SUV in 2011 after years of sliding sales, but a resurgence in off-road-capable vehicles and a dearth of affordable models are spurring the boxy Element's revival.
Car and Driver reached out to Honda for comment, and a spokesperson shared this statement: The Honda Element has maintained a cult following since it was discontinued in 2011, and hopes for its possible return continue to circulate online. We sincerely appreciate the enthusiasm for the Element, but we are not going to engage in speculation about our future product plans.
View Price on AmazonAssuming you've ever wandered through a Trader Joe's and seen the copious varieties of trail mix being purchased by shoppers wearing Patagonia, Cotopaxi, or the like, it'll come as no surprise that outdoorsiness, or at least the veneer of outdoorsiness, is thriving. That's just as true for cars as it is for clothes. People want to convey that they could drive their car down a trailhead at any moment, and automakers are happy to oblige, which could be one reason that Honda is reportedly planning to resurrect the Element nameplate.
The revived Element won't be Honda's first foray into the off-road-lite space. The CR-V, Passport, and Pilot all offer gravel-seeking TrailSport trims, and of course, the Ridgeline pickup provides a modicum of off-road worthiness. According to the AN report, the new Element will be positioned between the subcompact HR-V and the compact CR-V.
Details are still light, but the new Element is expected to utilize a hybrid powertrain. It'll be built in Ohio, and Honda is reportedly hoping to sell around 100,000 units in its first full year on sale. Similar to its size, the Element's price will likely fall somewhere between the HR-V and the CR-V, putting it in the mid-$30,000 range. That would directly align with the Ford Bronco Sport, which offers all-wheel drive, a similarly boxy look, and a comparable price.
Source: caranddriver.com
