While I can't get enough of the element, the fact that the Japanese version has a fifth seat belt does remain a sticking point. The option for carrying five people around would be an excellent addition to the multiple seating arrangements and the idea just makes good sense!

Ok, I'll try and spice this thread up a bit! Here's a copy of a letter I sent Honda a few months ago. I'm not sure if it ever landed in the right hands so here goes!

Dear Element Design Team,
I’m a proud owner of a ’91 Accord, which is still cruisin’ along quite admirably. Even as pleased with my Accord as I may be, I can’t help but staring at the quirky, cool Element. As a married father (Caucasian, 30yrs) with a few more little rascals on the way, there’s but one overriding obstacle between me and my spankin’new, loaded, manual, Element EX in Sunset Orange Pearl.
What could that be, you ask? It only legally seats four. A crying shame for a vehicle that brags at having over sixty different seating and cargo configurations!
Ok-maybe the demographically typical collegiate kid doesn’t have a wife, two kids, and a black lab, but I’m pretty sure he (or she for that matter…) wouldn’t mind being able to squeeze in another buddy on the way to shredding some waves or tearing up the slopes. Don’t you agree?
I couldn’t help but gaze wistfully at the Japanese Honda web page, staring in amazement at the fifth seat belt in the rear of the vehicle. Maybe statistically Americans are of greater stature than the Japanese, but that’s no reason to penalize us!
Since its been done already across the ocean, we know it can be done here in the USA. It’s up to you. Make it standard or an accessory. Throw in an extra belt and cover those molded cup holders between the rear seats, but please, please, make the change! (Can you see that I am begging you?)
Anyhow, keep up the good work—and maybe if I’m lucky, choosing a new Honda will be elementally easy.
Brewin' Through

I don't know if anyone has considered this, but it may be perfectly legal to offer the extra seat belt in Japan, while not legal to do so in the US. I'm sure that offering the extra seating position in the US would imply that 5 adults can safely be carried in the Element. We know all too well from the max cargo weight of 675 lbs. that it cannot.

Sure, legal restrictions make sense especially with the element's unfortunatly low weight load. Maybe that's whats got to change!

The back seates ARE REMOVABLE. Honda could simply offer a 3 seater to even the consumer could install.

Honda, how about a bench seat that could be installed with the removal of the two rear seats. Make it an option like everything else that has to be bought with the 2003 models. It could also recline back to give the comfortable sleeping position, now for three!

How about just removing the backseats all toegther and cramming as many people as will fit in there. Sorry couldn't resist.

EXCUSE ME…doesn’t anyone here have a clue about the differences between the statistically “average” American person and the “average” Japanese person? I’m too lazy to go out and find the actual numbers, but even the most clueless could agree that a “typical” American weighs in at about 200 lbs., and is easily a “doublewide” compared to the typical Japanese person, who consumes a far healthier diet than most of us, and is genetically predisposed to be physically smaller. DOH! The volume and weight of five Japanese persons is still probably LESS than that of four “regular” Americans. What’s more, Japanese culture has historically favored “what’s good for all” vs. American culture which, after more than 200 years still asks, “What’s in it for ME?”

If it doesn’t work for you -- don’t buy it! If it’s too small, maybe you’re too big? Boo-hoo, so you can’t afford to “super-size” your car? Maybe you shouldn’t have “super-sized” your lunch for the past ten years! The real “cost” is about equal. Oh, and by the way…you’ll die sooner than the average Japanese person because of your lifestyle choices.

I’m simply trying to say, you can’t have your cake and eat it too, IF that means wanting a versatile vehicle with a small “footprint” that is relatively inexpensive to purchase and operate. Don’t lose sight of the fact that this thing is built on a CIVIC platform. Have you looked at a CIVIC lately? How did they make something THIS BIG from something THAT SMALL?

OK. So this vehicle isn’t for everyone. And this is the place to express your opinions about that FACT. But let’s at least be REASONABLE. Honda can’t make it fly and get 30+ miles per gallon, too, you know (and price it at what it is now). Now, why it has enough headroom for a giraffe, I don’t know. But I still like mine just fine, thank you! And if I thought I needed seating for five on some kind of a regular basis, I’d have bought something else THAT WAS DESIGNED FOR IT.

Ok, everyone's heard the "if you don't like it the way it is, buy something else" argument yet I cannot help but notice the discrepancies between Honda's marketing and the reality of the vehicle.

Case in point: a super-versatile sport ute that can barely hold four passengers yet alone haul bikes, surfboards, camping gear, etc...Why on earth would anyone need a roof rack?

Additionally, the website has shown five seated within the element...Its not a matter of wanting cake and its subsequent consumption, rather its about thinking through design, expectations, and their delivery.

With a max capacity of 675 you've only got room for 4 150lb people plus an extra 75 lbs of goods, you don't have many options!--Not that stellar for a such rough and tumble vehicle.

Yet, If this works for you, wonderful. Should it work for others as Honda claims it will? Yes.

The CRV platform can handle 5, wouldn't it be nice if the Element could as well? Sure, the body is different, but come on! Throw a fifth belt in there and let the customer decide how to handle the load!

While the Element is a novel vehicle with much promise, if you look around at other forums, many owners have valid suggestions and complaints. While this is bound to happen to a first year model, it makes sense that the vehicle live up to its noble intentions.

I'm not Japanese, don't weight over 190, avoid fast-food, and don't expect anything less from Honda than what I know they can deliver.

If you like your Element as is, bravo!, but some of us want future models to be as Honda boasts they should be: "Big on function and versatility, [with the ability to get] you (and your stuff) where you need to go."

What I'd really like is to be able to "...grab your friends, stow your gear and get gone." Just like they say on the website, offer us some options.

Happy motorings,
Brew