I would love to see an option for a bigger, more spacious center console like the Pilot has

And it's a good idea... as long as it remains an option installable after the fact, and not something crammed down your throat (with the EX package, for instance). In short I personally prefer what it came with, thankyouverymuch.

The SUV market gets into these stupid "feature list wars", and too often things like consoles are added with no convenient way to remove them. The Ford Escape (my prior ride) had a nice console, which was an incredible PITA every time I ran to HD or Lowe's for project supplies. But I couldn't take it out, or there'd be no place to put the parking brake lever, plus there was no factory "trim" that allowed you to neatly remove it.

The honkin' console is one item on the list of reasons I dumped the Escape and bought the Element. For a little bit of storage convenience it negated a whole bunch of utility.

:evil:

MikeQBF:

We seem to have quite a bit of hostility built up towards the center console. It seems to have done something in the past to cause this. How exactly does that make you feel about potential future relationships with a center console?... :D

Seriously, I agree. That's why I bought an aftermarket removable one. Love the storage and the cupholders, but also love being able to move and/or leave it behind when I need to haul stuff.

PS- yes, my mother raised a smart ass!

>We seem to have quite a bit of hostility built up towards the center console.

:lol:

Yeah, it seems that way, but actually there's a grain of truth there. A lot of neat pioneering cars I've bought in the past have been one-time buys because they had morphed into something different when it came time to replace. The hue and cry of "add this, add that" isn't ignored by the car marketeers, and a lot of great concepts get lost in the shuffle as a result.

:?

And back to topic - I think the E's low console was an inspired idea. I wouldn't change a thing.

I'm with Mike!

Maybe I just got too used to having cars that didn't have a console - my faithful Nissan pickup of 13 years had no console whatsoever between the seats nor did our Dodge Grand Caravan that served us well for 5 years - or maybe it's just because I'm a big guy, but I don't like feeling boxed in.

I was initially attracted to the Element because of the Land Rover/Hummer-ish looks. Then I learned more about it and the unique features kept my attention. But ultimately, the roominess of the E was the key selling point.

I do think it might have been worthwhile to have an additional power outlet in the back of the console-let in the E. Honestly though, I don't really use the power outlets so often or continuously that not having one there is a problem.