2006 Honda Element Reviews, Pricing & Specs

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$18,345 to $22,120

Original MSRP

--

expert review

4.6

avg user rating

(42 reviews)
2006 Honda Element Preview summaryImage

The 2006 Element brings a number of equipment changes and adds a new trim line, the EX-P, to its LX and EX lineup.

The three trim lines all share an i-VTEC 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which produces 156 hp with 160 lb-ft of torque on regular fuel. A five-speed manual transmission comes standard, with a four-speed automatic optional. All models offer either front-wheel drive (2WD) or Honda’s Real-Time 4-Wheel Drive (4WD). Reviewers in a 2WD LX manual did the 0-60 jump in 8.8 seconds, while Honda gives 11.4 seconds with the automatic.

The EPA gives the following fuel efficiency ratings: 21/25 mpg (2WD, manual); 22/26 mpg (2WD, automatic); 21/24 mpg (4WD, manual); 21/24 mpg (4WD, automatic). Reviewers managed a 21.2 mpg average in a 4WD automatic.

The Element’s running gear, like that of its CR-V cousin, makes use of Civic components. Although 8 inches taller than the CR-V, the Element is shorter than a Civic coupe. In order to provide maximum carrying capacity, the Element seats only four. The missing B-pillar, usually right behind the front seats, provides one of its most striking features. The back side doors are rear-hinged for wider opening, and without the B-pillar, they allow easy large-object loading. As a safety feature, the rear doors cannot open without first opening the front doors; when closing, the rear doors go first, then front doors. Reviewers enjoy the wide open spaces, but complain about the door opening sequences. The tailgate splits horizontally, with the top raising like a hatch and the bottom opening downward like a tailgate.

The cabin's layout is highly flexible. The lack of a central tunnel combined with a high roof provides a spacious front seating area. The rear seats, raised off the floor for more legroom, fold down, swing up to the side, or can be easily removed. The resulting spacious, uninterrupted flat floor space is coated in a water-, dirt-, and scratch-resistant urethane material that's easy to clean. The front and rear seats are coated with an easily cleaned waterproof material. With the rear seats removed, the Element offers 75 cubic feet of cargo space. Reviewers found the seats could be configured as a large double bed, as a carrier for two 10-foot surfboards with two surfers, as a dog carrier, or to fit the kitchen sink. The 4WD configuration also adds a removable rear sunroof across all the trim lines.

As a 2WD, reviewers report slight torque steer, which goes away in 4WD form. The Element’s wider-than-a-CR-V's track improves its cornering ability. The engine with manual transmission provides sprightly performance, but the automatic dampens it. The Element’s tall form creates wind noise at highway speed, but its good steering and brake feedback add to a more car-like than SUV-ish driving experience.

Standard safety equipment across the line includes four-wheel ABS disc brakes. EX and EX-P levels offer side-impact airbags as standard equipment. Government crash tests award the Element with a five-star (highest) rating for frontal-impact protection; side-impact tests also yielded five-star ratings front and rear. IIHS frontal-offset crash testing resulted in top ratings, but in its side-impact tests of small SUVs, an Element without the optional side airbags received a “Poor” rating.

CarGurus Editorial Team
Published Aug 8, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
While we highlight specific author bylines where possible, sometimes our content results from the combined efforts of several members of the CarGurus editorial team. As with all our editorial content, you can expect high levels of automotive insight and expertise delivered in a style that is approachable and free from jargon.

User reviews for 2006 Honda Element

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User rating:
by Rochelle S
Jan 10, 2025
I love my 2006 Honda element .. Im so excited like kid in a candy store ..its versatile and gonna be able to accommodate my needs for campingJan 10, 2025
by Michelle S
May 19, 2024
I own a 06 Honda element ex manual transmission 290,000 miles. It’s a great car, but it would have been better as a hybrid and have the back windows to go down, plus it has a bit of an issue with blind spots. I don’t know what to replace it with. I love the versatility of it and it is great for travel.May 19, 2024
by JJ B
Apr 29, 2024
I like that it has all wheel drive and moonroof. Turned off by missing parts of paint and missing radio antenna. Interested in 2006-2008 Honda Elements Apr 29, 2024

2006 Honda Element Pricing

Original MSRP
$18,345 to $22,120
Price range
$8,010 to $8,647
Average price on CG
$8,646
YoY price change
$8,183 to $8,646

Trims & specs

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation

Audio System

Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Floor Material: rubber

Convenience Features

Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: storage organizer

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 8

Exterior Features

Rear trunk/liftgate: split liftgate

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Rear Seats

Type: removable bucket

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: premium cloth

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside

Suspension

Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: double wishbone · Stabilizer bar(s): rear

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheels: steel

Wheels

Wheel covers: full

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Rear wiper: intermittent

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation

Audio System

Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Floor Material: rubber

Convenience Features

Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: storage organizer

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 8

Drivetrain

4WD Type: on demand

Exterior Features

Rear trunk/liftgate: split liftgate

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Rear Seats

Type: removable bucket

Roof

Rear sunroof: manual glass

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: premium cloth

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside

Suspension

Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: double wishbone · Stabilizer bar(s): rear

Tires

Type: all season

Tires and Rims

Wheels: steel

Wheels

Wheel covers: full

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Rear wiper: intermittent

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags

Audio System

Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Floor Material: rubber

Convenience Features

Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: cargo tie-down anchors and hooks

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 8

Exterior Features

Rear trunk/liftgate: split liftgate

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable

In Car Entertainment

Video system: auxiliary audio/video input

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Rear Seats

Type: removable bucket

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: captains chairs · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: premium cloth

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside

Suspension

Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: double wishbone · Stabilizer bar(s): rear

Tires

Type: all season

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Rear wiper: intermittent

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags

Audio System

Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Floor Material: rubber

Convenience Features

Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: grocery bag holder

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 8

Exterior Features

Rear trunk/liftgate: split liftgate

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable

In Car Entertainment

Video system: auxiliary audio/video input

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Rear Seats

Type: removable bucket

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: captains chairs · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: premium cloth

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside

Suspension

Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: double wishbone · Stabilizer bar(s): rear

Tires

Type: all season

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Rear wiper: intermittent

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags

Audio System

Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Floor Material: rubber

Convenience Features

Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: seatback

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 8

Drivetrain

4WD Type: on demand

Exterior Features

Rear trunk/liftgate: split liftgate

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable

In Car Entertainment

Video system: auxiliary audio/video input

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Rear Seats

Type: removable bucket

Roof

Rear sunroof: manual glass

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: captains chairs · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: premium cloth

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside

Suspension

Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: double wishbone · Stabilizer bar(s): rear

Tires

Type: all season

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Rear wiper: intermittent

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags

Audio System

Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: disc

Comfort Features

Floor Material: rubber

Convenience Features

Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets

Driver Seat

Manual adjustments: 8

Drivetrain

4WD Type: on demand

Exterior Features

Rear trunk/liftgate: split liftgate

Headrests

Front headrests: adjustable

In Car Entertainment

Video system: auxiliary audio/video input

Instrumentation

Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Rear Seats

Type: removable bucket

Roof

Rear sunroof: manual glass

Seats

Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: captains chairs · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: premium cloth

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside

Suspension

Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: double wishbone · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Tires

Type: all season

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Rear wiper: intermittent

See all trims (6)