No matter what you think,
Deathshead, an Element would look far better in your driveway than either an Aztek or a Festiva!!
The so-called poorly-thought-out load carrying capacity of the Element has been discussed fervently for nearly four years now. The "number" (most have agreed) was determined by Honda's legal department; not actual users.
If one's everyday load exceeded the maximum official capacity, an Element is probably a poor choice. For most actual owners, exceeding the official capacity is an infrequent, though perhaps common thing. 80% of us don't think about it anymore. The other 20% probably bought something else.
While it's obvious that the Element's interior volume could seem deceptive, Honda's advertising is no more deceptive than anyone else's. The primary ads that brag of capacity are for full-sized pickup trucks. I also suspect the plethora of 6+ capacity SUV's on the market these days would be over their load limits if each of those passengers brought so much as a
toothbrush along. :-o
Whoever promised raising kids, dogs and concrete blocks was gonna be
cheap, anyway?
