In addition to my 2008 Element SC, there is also a 2006 CR-V AWD in my garage used as the daily driver. It has been very dependable as it shares the platform and much of the internals of the Element. I like the fact it has an external spare tire and the side opening rear door, which is the last year/generation to do so. For me, overall condition and good maintenance overrides how newer a vehicle is.

 

IMO, doesn't exist. The Element is very unique in having a canyon of an interior in such a small footprint. We were looking at the Ford Bronco Sport (not the full Bronco) as a replacement, and it is tiny in comparison.

A couple of things you might not be aware of, and you won't discover this until after signing on the dotted line - new vehicles prioritize safety technology over your control of vehicle operation. They frequently make decisions for you may not want, or demand your attention away from driving with false alarms. Also, most cars since the mid-2010s snoop on your driving habits and uplink very detailed data to a mothership, which in turns sells that information to insurance companies.

My recommendation is to find a low-mileage Element. They're out there. There was a distinct demographic of buyers in the early days - Boomers who appreciated the utility and could afford to buy new - whose driving years were numbered, and these cars were treated with old-world care and (mostly) kept in a garage. That's been our game plan, and is why we have two.

 

N-Box from Japan.

 

I would buy two of those!

 

I feel similar to MikeQBF and it is interesting that the Bronco Sport has such little interior space in comparison since sometimes at quick glance it looks like an Element. The vehicle I’d likely pursue if I could not have an Element is probably a Ford Maverick, but I’d sorely miss the manual transmission.

 

Bet you can fix darn near anything thats wrong with the element cheaper than you can buy another car. That being said, the CRV is pretty comfy

 

Biggest problem I've noticed in following the forum is that older Elements from northern climes tend to be rustbuckets. No amount of money can fix that outside of just buying another one from someplace else. I'm not a big believer in Carfax (it misses so much), but a history of registration in certain states is a reliable clue that it lived someplace where the climate or circumstances were hard on vehicles. For such an example, I wouldn't touch one from the Houston area given the recurring flooding over the past two decades.

 

Pricey alternative, but has anyone noticed the similarity between the Honda Element and the smallest of the new Defender models? They have a lot in common

 

I considered the Toyota FJ Cruiser as I only need the rear doors to open backwards to load my wheelchair. My choices were very limited. The other option was an extended cab pickup, but I wanted something smaller.

 

Do you have a folding wheelchair? Were the rear door openings on the FJ Cruiser wide enough for the wheelchair?

 

I've not seen an AWD version of the early Ford Transit but here's apotential FWD Element alternative: 2013 Ford Transit Connect XLT Premium

 

2013 Ford Transit Connect XLT for sale in Austin, TX - CARFAX

Make a more informed buying decision at CARFAX by first viewing vehicle history on this 2013 Ford Transit Connect XLT.

www.carfax.com

 

I considered the Kia Carnival, but it does not come in AWD, which I just like. Otherwise, I'd be buying it.

 

I recall someone suggesting the Rivian R2, due in 2026.

 

I recall someone suggesting the Rivian R2, due in 2026.

I put a "get in line" deposit on the R2 on announcement day. Latest intel has release in 2028, having crept two years since the 2024 announcement.

Transit Connect? Smaller than you think. It was on our radar, but after exploring the options we went for the full-size Transit with medium (stand-up) roof. Too big as an around town grocery-getter, but the bee's knees at Home Depot.

 

A bigger option is a Toyota Sienna minivan with a 2" lift kit. They come in AWD and the '21 and newer are Hybrid. I passed my Element to my son and got a '24 Sienna AWD and put on a 2" lift and oversize light AT tires and it still gets 30mpg. I do still miss things about the Element though like the split rear hatch with a tailgate to sit on.

 

A bigger option is a Toyota Sienna minivan with a 2" lift kit. They come in AWD and the '21 and newer are Hybrid. I passed my Element to my son and got a '24 Sienna AWD and put on a 2" lift and oversize light AT tires and it still gets 30mpg. I do still miss things about the Element though like the split rear hatch with a tailgate to sit on. View attachment 232566

Wow ... I really like this idea. The Siena is very roomy and I think their may still be a rebate on hybrids. The lift kit addresses my initiall issue with mini-vans being so low to the ground. 30 mpg is amazing. Is the Sienna a 4 cylinder? Thanks for the post!

 

This one beaut sold on Carsnbids recently for 7 k$.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/9XpkPQDN/2004-toyota-sienna-xle-limited-awd

 

Here's a great video made by the seller in which he details the plusses and minuses of this "mommy van on steroids" for CHEAP!

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/9XpkPQDN/2004-toyota-sienna-xle-limited-awd

 

Mega cool idea with the modified Sienna - I've seem some cool modified Ford Transits - FJ gas mileage is horrendous, lol... \m/

 

Cool site for various mods... \m/

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