Ad-free. Influence-free. Powered by consumers.

Your membership has expired

The payment for your account couldn't be processed or you've canceled your account with us.

Re-activate
Favorites
Donate

Save products you love, products you own and much more!

Save products icon
Become a Member Upgrade

Other Membership Benefits:

Savings icon Exclusive Deals for Members Best time to buy icon Best Time to Buy Products Recall tracker icon Recall & Safety Alerts TV screen optimizer icon TV Screen Optimizer and more
Become a Member Upgrade

Suggested Searches

All Products A-Z
Cars Home & Garden Appliances Electronics Babies Digital Security Deals Money Travel Health & Wellness Kids Pet Products News Bill Negotiator All Products A-Z
 
Sign In
Become a Member
Explore categories
Cars

Cars

Car Ratings & Reviews

Car Ratings & Reviews

Ratings & Reviews
SUVs Hybrids/EVs Luxury Cars & SUVs Sedans & Hatchbacks Minivans & 3-Row SUVs Pickup Trucks Used Cars Electric Bikes Bike Racks
All Car Ratings & Reviews
All Car Ratings & Reviews
Buying Advice & Tools
10 Most Satisfying Cars 10 Most Reliable Cars Best Cars for Short or Tall Drivers Best Cars for Teen Drivers Best Used Cars Interactive Car Finder
2025 Top Picks

CARS

2025 Top Picks

Car Buying & Pricing

Car Buying & Pricing

Best Car Deals Now
Best SUVs Under $30K Best Deals on SUVs Best Deals on Fuel-Efficient Cars Leasing vs. Buying Car Loan Advice How to Buy a New Car Now
All Car Buying & Pricing
All Car Buying & Pricing
Member Savings & Tools
Car Buying Guide Build & Buy Car Buying Service Trade-in Estimator Used Car Marketplace
Which Car Brands Make the Best Vehicles?

Which Car Brands Make the Best Vehicles?

Tires, Maintenance & Repair

Tires, Maintenance & Repair

Ratings & Reviews
Tires Tire Retailers Car Batteries Car Repair Shops Car Seats
All Tires, Maintenance & Repair
All Tires, Maintenance & Repair
Ownership Advice
Find Car Recalls Make Your Car Run Longer Inspect Belts and Hoses Car Repair Assistant Find the Best Car Insurance
Car Reliability Guide

Car Reliability Guide

Key Topics & News

Key Topics & News

Car Safety
Car Recalls Car Seats Car Safety Guide Safety System Glossary
All Key Topics & News
All Key Topics & News
Fuel Efficiency
Should You Go Hybrid/EV? Save Money at the Pump Most Fuel-Efficient Cars EV Incentives Fuel Efficiency Guide
Listen to the Talking Cars Podcast

CAR NEWS

Listen to the Talking Cars Podcast

All Cars
All Cars
Home & Garden

Home & Garden

Bed & Bath

Bed & Bath

Ratings & Reviews
Mattresses Sheets Pillows Toilets Bidet Seats Curling Irons Hair Dryers
All Bed & Bath
All Bed & Bath
Ownership Advice
Cleaning Your Mattress Organize Your Linen Closet Under-the-Bed Storage
Best Mattresses

Top Picks From CR

Best Mattresses

Lawn & Garden

Lawn & Garden

Ratings & Reviews
Lawn Mowers & Tractors Charcoal & Gas Grills Leaf Blowers Pressure Washers String Trimmers Floodlight Cameras Chainsaws Snow Blowers
All Lawn & Garden
All Lawn & Garden
Ownership Advice
Best Charcoal Grills Fix Hidden Dangers in Your Home 5 Expert Tips for Staining a Deck
Best Lawn Mowers and Tractors

TOP PICKS FROM CR

Best Lawn Mowers and Tractors

Home Improvement

Home Improvement

Ratings & Reviews
Decking Door Locks Flooring Generators Paints Security Cameras Security Systems Wood Stains Windows
All Home Improvement
All Home Improvement
Ownership Advice
Protect Your Biggest Investment Best Smart Lightbulbs How to Improve Indoor Air Quality
Best Wood Stains

Home Improvement Essential

Best Wood Stains

Home Safety & Security

Home Safety & Security

Ratings & Reviews
Door Locks & Smart Locks Home Security Cameras Home Security Systems Smoke & CO Detectors
All Home Safety & Security
All Home Safety & Security
Safety Advice
Storm & Emergency Guide Generator Safety Tips Protect Against Indoor Air Pollution
Best DIY Home Security Systems

HOME SAFETY

Home Security Systems

All Home & Garden
All Home & Garden
Appliances

Appliances

Kitchen

Kitchen

Ratings & Reviews
Cooktops Countertops Dishwashers Freezers Microwave Ovens Wall Ovens Ranges Refrigerators
All Kitchen
All Kitchen
Ownership Advice
Tips for Doing Laundry Organizing Your Kitchen Make Your Dishwasher Last
Most and Least Reliable Refrigerators

SURVEY RESULTS

Most and Least Reliable Refrigerators

Small Appliances

Small Appliances

Ratings & Reviews
Air Fryers Blenders Breadmakers Coffee Makers Electric Kettles Food Steamers Food Processors Rice Cookers Knives
All Small Appliances
All Small Appliances
Cooking Advice
Small Kitchen Essentials Cleaning Cast Iron Kitchen Appliances for $100 or Less
Best Small Kitchen Appliances

TOP PICKS FROM CR

Best Small Kitchen Appliances

Laundry & Cleaning

Laundry & Cleaning

Ratings & Reviews
Air Purifiers Vacuums Robotic Vacuums Washing Machines Clothes Dryers Washer/Dryer Pairs Pressure Washers Steam Mops Laundry Detergents
All Laundry & Cleaning
All Laundry & Cleaning
Laundry & Cleaning Advice
Don't Use Vinegar Here Cleaning a Dirty Oven How to Reduce Indoor Allergens Repair or Replace: Washer
Best Washing Machines

Top Picks From CR

Best Washing Machines

Heating, Cooling & Air

Heating, Cooling & Air

Ratings & Reviews
Air Conditioners Air Filters Air Purifiers Central Air Conditioners Dehumidifiers Thermostats Water Heaters Space Heaters
All Heating, Cooling & Air
All Heating, Cooling & Air
Ownership Advice
Are Smart Thermostats Worth It? 4 Reasons to Consider a Heat Pump Protect Against Indoor Air Pollution
Best Space Heaters

SURVEY RESULTS

Most Reliable Central Air Conditioning Systems

All Appliances
All Appliances
Electronics

Electronics

Home Entertainment

Home Entertainment

Ratings & Reviews
TVs Wireless & Bluetooth Speakers Soundbars Streaming Media Players Headphones
All Home Entertainment
All Home Entertainment
Media Advice
Streaming Services Guide Best Streaming Music How to Clean Your Flat-Screen TV
Best TVs

FIND YOUR NEW TV

Best TVs

Home Office

Home Office

Ratings & Reviews
Laptops Desktop Computers Printers Computer Monitors Tablets Wireless Routers
All Home Office
All Home Office
Set Up Advice
Organize Your Home Office Choosing a Standing Desk Best Office Chairs
Cheapest Printers for Ink Costs

Save Money

Cheapest Printers for Ink Costs

Smartphones & Wearables

Smartphones & Wearables

Ratings & Reviews
Smartphones Smartwatches Headphones Cameras
All Smartphones & Wearables
All Smartphones & Wearables
Tech Advice
Choosing a Cell Phone Mount Filter Social Media Apps Pre-Owned Tech: Yes or No?
Find the Right Phone for You

BEST SMARTPHONES

Find the Right Phone for You

All Electronics
All Electronics
Babies
Digital Security

Digital Security

Digital Security & Privacy

Digital Security & Privacy

Ratings & Reviews
Antivirus Software Crypto Wallets Password Managers Wireless Routers Home Security Cameras Home Security Systems
All Digital Security & Privacy
All Digital Security & Privacy
Safety Advice
Google Privacy Settings 30-Second Privacy Fixes What Is Smishing? Identity Theft Advice Permission Slip App Security Planner
One app to take back control of your data

CR PERMISSION SLIP APP

One app to take back control of your data

All Digital Security
All Digital Security
Deals
More +

More

Money Travel Health & Wellness Kids Pet Products News Bill Negotiator All Products A-Z
All Products A-Z
About Us
Our Mission

Take Action

Get involved
Volunteer With Us Add Your Voice Join a Research Project Attend an Event
Issues we work on
Food Safety Car Safety & Efficiency Data Privacy Financial Fairness
Donate
2009
Used 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003

Honda Element

EPA MPG: 23 mpg
Average Retail Price
$6,650 - $8,475
Join for Ratings
RECALL ALERT:
There are 9 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.
Slide #1 Thumbnail Slide #2 Thumbnail
Slide #1 Thumbnail
Overall Reliability
Reliability Details
NA
Owner Satisfaction Details
NA
See All Ratings & Specs
Road Test

The Element is an offbeat utility vehicle with plenty of interior space. But it seats only four, the low weight-carrying capacity limits its utility and large roof pillars compromise outward visibility. Interior noise is pronounced and the ride is stiff and jittery. Handling is fairly nimble, but in emergency maneuvers, the tail tends to slide out, even with stability control.

For complete Road Test Report and to see Highs and Lows, become a member

2009 SUVs Reliability

This Car
NA
vs. Similar Cars
See All Models Reliability

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap
Good
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver
NA
IIHS Side Crash
Good
NHTSA Overall Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Side-Crash
NA
See All Ratings & Specs

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap
Good
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver
NA
IIHS Side Crash
Good
NHTSA Overall Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Side-Crash
NA
See All Ratings & Specs

Honda vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction To learn about satisfaction, CR has collected survey data from our annual survey on more than half a million vehicles. Our subscribers provide great insights into their satisfaction by answering one simple question: If they had it to do all over again, would they definitely buy or lease the same model? In addition, respondents also rate their cars in six categories: driving experience, comfort, value, styling, audio, and climate systems. NA indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
2006

2007

2008

2009
NA
2010

2011

2012
2013
Driving Experience Driving Experience Includes acceleration and handling
NA
Comfort Comfort Includes seats, climate control, noise, and ride
NA
Value Value Did you get what you wanted relative to the price you paid?
NA

Honda vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Honda vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap
Good
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver
NA
IIHS Side Crash
Good
NHTSA Overall Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Side-Crash
NA
See All Ratings & Specs

2009 Compact SUVs Ratings

2009 Honda Element
$6,650 - $8,475
economy-icon
EPA MPG 23 mpg
Road test
Reliability
Owner Satisfaction
2009 Chevrolet Equinox
$3,750 - $4,775
economy-icon
EPA MPG 21 mpg
Road test
Reliability
Owner Satisfaction
2009 Dodge Nitro
$3,225 - $5,650
economy-icon
EPA MPG 19 mpg
Road test
Reliability
Owner Satisfaction
2009 Ford Escape
$4,200 - $5,325
economy-icon
EPA MPG 20 mpg
Road test
Reliability
Owner Satisfaction
2009 Ford Escape Hybrid
$4,200 - $5,325
economy-icon
EPA MPG 28 mpg
Road test
Reliability
Owner Satisfaction
See All Compact SUVs Ratings
Features & Specs
Body Style
    4-door SUV
Seating
2 front, 2 rear
Drive Wheels
AWD, Front
Engines Available
  • 2.4-liter 4 (166 hp)
Transmissions Available
  • 5-speed manual
  • 5-speed automatic
Warranty
Coverage varies among versions of this vehicle

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties
See All Ratings & Specs