http://www.forbes.com/2005/07/08/cx_dl_0711featslide2.html?thisSpeed=6000

Element tie for fourth with few more others.

1st place: Ford Escape Hybrid
2nd place: Mazda Tribute, Toyota Rav4 (tie)
3rd place: Chrysler PT Cruiser, Honda CRV, Saturn Vue, Subaru Forester, Subaru Outback (tie)
4th place: Dodge Magnum, Honda Element, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mercury Mariner, Mitsubishi Outlander, Subaru Baja, Toyota Highlander (tie)
5th place: Ford Freestyle, Hyundai Santa Fe, Jeep Liberty (tie)

An Element tied with a Dodge Magnum!! Have to assume they don't mean the Hemi powered one.....:)

An Element tied with a Dodge Magnum!! Have to assume they don't mean the Hemi powered one.....:)
Nope, it's the "pedal" powered one.:)

Odd that the Toyota Highlander hybrid isn't anywhere in the top 5. Must be too new?

Choice of models betrays a very loose definition of "SUV."

Choice of models betrays a very loose definition of "SUV."


Yes it does.

I think the Highlander Hybred only gets 2 to 4 Mpg more than the standard one.
I rember reading a report on that But can't rember in what. It's an old age thing.

I don't understand why the CRV is rated higher than the Element.

I mean, I know that it is, but it just doesn't make sense. I suspect that in real-world driving the Element would be at least equal, and maybe better.

I don't understand why the CRV is rated higher than the Element.
I mean, I know that it is, but it just doesn't make sense.

I think it's pretty obvious, considering the Element is 4" taller, 1" wider and about 100lbs heavier than the CRV.


http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/272/elementcrv9to.jpg

Choice of models betrays a very loose definition of "SUV."

No kiddin. When did a PT Cruiser become an SUV?

[QUOTE=Empire]I think it's pretty obvious, considering the Element is 4" taller, 1" wider and about 100lbs heavier than the CRV. [QUOTE]

I beg to differ. I think it's NOT obvious at all. Both are aerodynamic bricks any way you slice it. And the CRV is worse in at least one respect: It sits higher off the ground with all its underbelly hardware cutting a more ragged path through the air.

A more important factor is that they probably tested cars with automatic transmissions (I can't tell for sure from the Forbes link). The CRV comes with a 5-speed automatic as standard equipment, and you can only get a 4spd in the Element.

The only way to do an apples-to-apples comparison is with 4wd 5-speed cars (the only way to get a comparable transmission in the CRV). These cars are nearly identical in weight (CRV is actually 15# heavier).

In this comparison, according to www.fueleconomy.gov, the cars have identical city ratings at 21 mpg. The CRV still beats the Element on the highway by 2 mpg, which may be a result of its shorter height and cleaner bodywork. In combined driving, the CRV beats the Element by only 1 mpg.

I don't understand, the mazda tribute is in second and the mercury mariner is fourth. The escape standatd gas suv is not even listed. All these vehicles are the same exact vehicles but rebadged.

The last fillup for our almost new(@1800 miles) '05 AWD E with automatic netted a blazing 17mpg...whoopeee, NOT! Of course my Mazda 3S got a non terrific 22.7 on her last fillup Wed night. Even my huge furd 500 with AWD never got below 19. The oil barons must luv these things, too.

The redeeming feature of the E is the AWD combined with the Michelin LTX rubber in our constant snowfalls. Sure beats my slip-n-slide 3S! DFO:|

we rented a ford escape on our trip. what an uncomfortable car.

With these reports you have to remember who is contributing to the so call research. Categories have a way of being "defined" by participants.

CRV vs Element - I think it has to do with aero dynamics and esay to see the CRV is more aero dynmamic friendly than the E and the faster you go the more important the aero slip stream becomes.

CRV vs Element - I think it has to do with aero dynamics and esay to see the CRV is more aero dynmamic friendly than the E and the faster you go the more important the aero slip stream becomes.

The E weighs more. But worth the DZine....:roll:

An Element tied with a Dodge Magnum!! Have to assume they don't mean the Hemi powered one.....:)

The 5.7 liter, V-8 340 hp Hemi automatically switches to 4 cylinders when cruising conditions are detected.

If buyers REALLY want to impress the Joneses with numbers, Magnum offers a 6.1 liter V-8 @ 425 hp. Magnum also offers AWD.

WARNING! Those envious side-long glances from the Joneses will instantly turn to brazen smirks when gas again hits $3.89.

Do I hear 500 hp? Not impressed? Ok, how 'bout a 7 liter 505 hp Corvette Z06 for lil Johnny when he outgrows the back seat of the Magnum?

I wana be there when lil Johnny flys by, quadraphonic stereo blasting John Mellencamp's "...but ain't that America? We're something to see...The bills and the thrills..."


Watch it, Johnny! There's also the kills.

Do I hear 500 hp? Not impressed? Ok, how 'bout a 7 liter 505 hp Corvette Z06 for lil Johnny when he outgrows the back seat of the Magnum?

Funny thing is...that 7.0 V8 gets about the same Hwy. MPG as our beloved Element

16/26(Z06 vette) vs 22/26(2wd auto ele')

Funny thing is...that 7.0 V8 gets about the same Hwy. MPG as our beloved Element

16/26(Z06 vette) vs 22/26(2wd auto ele')

OMG! Well, I guess you love your E a little less now, eh?

The Z06 must have some dynamite aerodynamics. Wow! GM finally got something right! Maybe Toyota will have to wait until 07 to surpass 'em.

I think the variable displacement feature of the Magnum is great. I wonder if the Vette has that? This poor mileage issue bugs me. Compared the the CRV, the E has a very un-aero looking front end, altho their mpg are said to be very similar. I don't kno where else the E could be improved aero-wise for better mpg. There's gota be SOMETHING to improve 26 hwy.

I hope doing all the user-available things like inflating the tires to near max and keeping hiway speed down, etc, help. I'l be driving long distances with a heavy to moderate load, and I'm used to about 33 mpg, roughly, on my unloaded Civic Wagon, 2wd.

An Element tied with a Dodge Magnum!! Have to assume they don't mean the Hemi powered one.....:)

My in-laws have a Magnum w/ a Hemi and on a recent trip to the Calgary area from the SF Bay area they averaged 27MPG. The Hemi shuts down cylinders on the freeway and gets great mileage. While little 4 cylinders have to rev high to go fast. The box shape of the element doesn't help. The Magnum slips through the air quite nicely.

sdg

OMGI don't kno where else the E could be improved aero-wise for better mpg. There's gota be SOMETHING to improve 26 hwy.


I have a couple ideas in this area. I've noticed that many new cars have small plastic "spats" or air dams in front of the tires, front and rear, under the car. I've read a bit about this and the purpose is to keep some air out of the wheelwells/suspension to reduce drag. I've looked at the E and it looks fairly simple to make my own out of plastic or thin aluminum, so I'm gonna try it.

I also noticed the fog lamp openings could be causing some drag. I was thinking about making some plexiglas covers for them. That would be simple, too.

But honestly, I dunno if stuff like this will help much. The E is still punching a pretty big hole through the air. :shock:

I have a couple ideas in this area. I've noticed that many new cars have small plastic "spats" or air dams in front of the tires, front and rear, under the car. I've read a bit about this and the purpose is to keep some air out of the wheelwells/suspension to reduce drag. I've looked at the E and it looks fairly simple to make my own out of plastic or thin aluminum, so I'm gonna try it.

I also noticed the fog lamp openings could be causing some drag. I was thinking about making some plexiglas covers for them. That would be simple, too.

But honestly, I dunno if stuff like this will help much. The E is still punching a pretty big hole through the air. :shock:

Good idea. I think Honda missed something somewhere in mpg issue. Or maybe when the E was designed it was pre-$3.89 gas and mpg wasn't an issue.

I'l keep an eye on this issue, and when I get my E do the Keep It Simple things like highly inflated tires, lower hi-way speeds, alignment, etc.

2000 mi on our 05 EX auto tranny, made trip to Charleston and back on rural Hwy 17 and overall got 24 MPG but couldn't do more than 55-60 most of the way. Lot of cops during holiday season and not worth the price of a ticket and insurance rate goes up to. I believe as it racks up some miles the mileage will get better but with 2K miles on it 24 is pretty good in my book.

LOL! I cleaned out the attic and what a big pile of accumilated stuff and who knows what. Flipped the seats up on the side and loaded Elle down and surprised just how much the lil' booger would haul, filled it up then had to make a second much smaller load. Man, I butted that thing that sticks down on top between the side doors two times and it most made my eyes water. :mad:

yeah that sucks and it is a design flaw. pretty stupid seeming its right where your head will be.

Notice how long a reach it is to the sun visor or mirror? Wouldn't a much more raked windshield help cut aerodynamic drag...maybe a lot...like the '06 Civic? Looking at my Element in profile, I don't see why the windshield needs to be so upright.

Notice how long a reach it is to the sun visor or mirror? Wouldn't a much more raked windshield help cut aerodynamic drag...maybe a lot...like the '06 Civic? Looking at my Element in profile, I don't see why the windshield needs to be so upright.

I'll go one better than that: I don't think the E's roofline needs to be as high as it is. I'm 6'1" tall and could wear a big-ass cowboy hat while driving if I wanted without rubbing the roof. If I could, I'd chop 2-3" off the roof and rake the windshield back at the same time. :cool:

I'll go one better than that: I don't think the E's roofline needs to be as high as it is. I'm 6'1" tall and could wear a big-ass cowboy hat while driving if I wanted without rubbing the roof. If I could, I'd chop 2-3" off the roof and rake the windshield back at the same time. :cool:
Cool mod! Post pics when it's done!