2006 Honda Element Overview, Reviews, Ratings & Specs

2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005

Crash Test Rating

Source NHTSA

MPG (up to)

21 City / 24 HWY

Source FuelEconomy.gov

Horsepower

156

Seats

Positive Owner Reviews

Kyle C

It runs great and is perfect for people with active lifestyles. My car gets d***y often but is super easy to clean.

I really like the versatility and toughness of the car. The suicide doors are a little annoying and make getting my family in and out a little hard. It gets great gas mileage and the repairs are cheaper. It is running with no problems at 175,000 miles

Rose M

Honda element: bring it back.

I love how spacious it is, it very reliable but I wish it got better gas mileage. I love the rubber floors and the easy to wipe down seats. It's great for moving, road trips, or getting from school to home. I love how easy it is to change the oil and lights myself, everything is very accessible. This is not only a great starter car but great for families or for people with multiple dogs.

Grace J

Resale value is great because it is one of the most demanded cars.

I love my element. Wish it had more pulling weight and load weight. I have the black out curtains so I can sleep in it. Love that.

Monica G

The one most important thing that everyone should know about my car is that it is spacious!

I love that it is spacious. I love that the floor is rubber. I love that it is compact. I would like more miles per gallon.

Alicia M

Hands down the best car I have ever driven

This car is over 10 years old and is hands down the best vehicle I have ever owned. The car had 164k miles on it when I bought it and I have driven it for almost another 100k and have had zero issues. I use this car on a rural mail route and have driven it through thousands of miles of rough terrain and it has handled it all without complaining. The amount of space inside this vehicle is ridiculous. I am not a very tall person but I can almost stand up in the back. My only complaint is that I wish it had more cup holders and Bluetooth capability.

Brit S

This is a nice little car

The visibility of this care is really great. You don't feel like you are driving a box. My one qualm is that the gas pedal is hard to feel with your foot. And since it is an older car it is starting to have some issues. Though it is still new enough to be able to be repaired. It is a nice little car.

Isabella V

I love how roomy the back seat is!

My car is very reliable. Also, it is very easy to clean. My Honda element is very spacious and easy to drive. It drives like a small car but has the comfort and protection of a larger vehicle.

nickey s

Very versatile for small suv

Has good power and it has a lot of room for the driver seats lay down for hauling very comfortable to drive but only get 20 mpg thought a 4 cylinder would do better when I bought it

Negative Owner Reviews

Lottie T

Dependable but not for me

I bought it used and it needed some repairs and maintenance. That cost me more than $3000. But it seems reliable and has AWD. It worked well for my job. My legs are short and the seat doesn't lean down. So it hurts my right leg while driving. I can't afford anything else yet so I'm stuck with it.

Mariah M

Spacious enough for cargo.

I think the car is a bit ugly. I particularly do not like the fact my car is orange. I do like the space it provides. It is a very spacious car. However, it only seats four people. It is a good car if you like camping and need to carry equipment around. However, it is not the most comfortable or elegant car.

Angela M

When it starts to fall apart is does a bang up job and everything starts breaking as soon as the warranty is up

Seats are awful they tear up easy..windows are great at breaking the actuator and dropping the window into the door costing 500 at a dealer to fix

Amber S

There is nothing interesting about my car it just doesn't work and I am tired of.

It is a shame Honda won't fix the Honda element parts that were broken when I brought the car, to many faults and wrongs and Honda doesn't want to own up to their faults and nobody want the car, because the gauge is broken and the speed gauge is gone and the hot and cold needle is also.

Barbara M

4 wheel drive in fantastic in the winter time her a t engine

The seats wear out easily but other that that it's a good car

Carolyn M

The Elements large bumper has really come in handy.

My Honda Element is very reliable, it is has plenty of room inside and the back seats fold over to add more space for storage. This really comes in handy on my yard sale expeditions! I bought used and it hasn't given me any problems yet. Honda's are known for lasting a long time. It has been a great vehicle for me and my family.

Caroline P

Grey, leather seats, automatic doors

It dies a lot. But the chair are comfortable. It is a three role set. It got it brand new. My whole family can fit you in the car. We take it on every vacation we go on. It has a lot of miles but still runs good for use. If someone ask me what car to buy I would say a Honda

Brie B

The space the car offers is amazing! It offers a lot of room.

I am a full time college student that also commutes, having a car in general is amazing. Not only that having a car I do not have to pay for and is paid off is a privilege. The car itself has amazing space for tailgates and carpooling. But do to the amount of miles and just the age the car has reached its toll. It is constantly in the shop getting something done. And the shape of the car leaves a lot of blind spots which is a challenge.

Honda Element Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

156 HP 23-23 MPG 4 Seats

EX-P

156 HP 23-23 MPG 4 Seats

Photos may not match model

2006 Honda Element Owner Reviews

4.31

61 Reviews

Write Review

5 stars

54%

4 stars

28%

3 stars

13%

2 stars

1 star

Amanda T on March 31, 2021

The sets fold up. That helps to carry bigger purchases.

I love the style of my vehicle. I love the color. I also love the rubber bumpers. I dislike having to take it to get fixed.

Beckie M on March 25, 2021

Caterers want it, and my friend thinks it looks like a toaster!

Very reliable, caterers have asked me to call them if I decide to sell it. Excellent gas mileage, ease of changing out seats for use in moving large items. Heating and cooling systems have always been dependable. Front seats are falling apart. I love the ease of cleaning with seats being removed, and the interior being hosed down. Plenty of room for passengers sitting in back seats, but not very comfortable.

View All Reviews (61)

Pros from Owners

Grace J.

Inside very easy to maintain. Cleans easily. I love the way it rides and the amount of room there is in the back seats. I love the conversions it will do. The only con is the amount of weight that can be carried or towed.

Kendra M.

Great space, great mileage, easy to maintain, good sound system, easy to clean, great for camping. The back seats fold up and back different ways to accommodate anything you need to transport. Lots of legroom in the back.

Cheryl J.

The way the doors open is a huge benefit. The side doors opposite each other. This allows for very easy loading and unloading. The deck is also low. The back seats fold flat and then fold up and lock out of the way or remove completely. It is a great SUV for dog owners and for camping. I have camped inside mine many times.

Kendra M.

Lots of cargo space, good gas mileage, good sound system, smooth ride, reverse swinging back passenger doors are unique and make for a nice changing room feature, split back door makes it nice to load groceries and other items in without the risk of them falling out.

Cons from Owners

Grace J.

The amount of weight that can be carried or towed. The seats tore too easily. The back seats sit high and you have to bend down if you are an adult to see through the windshield. I do not think I have enough cons to create enough text for this question. I love my element and would buy another if they were still making them.

Kendra M.

The backwards doors make it a little difficult open in parking lots, brake lights and turn indicators are a little hard to change on own, headlights are tricky to change as well, while easy to clean the floors can be slick and slippery when wet.

Cheryl J.

It does not get the best gas mileage. It is a 5 speed 4 cylinder and only gets 25 mpg with no extra load. Also it has absolutely no towing capacity. I had a hitch installed in hopes of pulling a small RV then discovered it is not powerful enough to pull one.

Kendra M.

Reverse swinging passenger doors make it difficult to open and load in a tight parking space situation, middle console unit is wide and makes it easy to lose items down the side of the seat, only four total seats.

Ranks #7 Compact SUV by Owners

The 2006 Honda Element has an average owner rating of 4.32 out of 5 which ranks it #7 of 19 other Compact SUVs.

2006 Honda CR-V

4.54

2006 Scion xA

4.52

Tie

2006 Honda Element

4.32

Ranks #10 Compact SUV by Fuel Economy

The 2006 Honda Element has a combined MPG of 26 which ranks it #10 of 19 other Compact SUVs.

2006 Scion xA

38 MPG

2006 Scion xB

34 MPG

Tie

2006 Honda Element

24 MPG

Is The 2006 Honda Element A Good Car?

Yes, love it! I wish they still made them - updated to a hybrid or electric (offered in a metallic black cherry/dark purple color). I would definitely buy another one!

Erin S.

The best. This car has been through it all... moved me, been slept in, loaded with wet pets and still looks and runs great. I LOVE THIS CAR.

Ray H.

Yes the Honda Element is a good vehicle. It is very spacious and has helped me with traveling between states. The seat removal is very convenient.

Joseph M.

Absolutely! I love my Element. I have a 5 speed manual and I can leave people at the light when it turns green. The 'suicide' doors are the best. They open for easy loading and unloading. The back... Read More

Deja R.

How Reliable Is The 2006 Honda Element?

The Honda element has been highly reliable. Due to its 13 year age and 209k mileage, it currently needs work, but despite that, it has held up wonderfully.. The only problems I have noticed are the... Read More

Erin S.

No issues and 150,000 miles. The best. I have driven it on several long trips and will continue to without hesitation. Looks and runs great. I've been asked to sell it several times, including two... Read More

Bill B.

I haven't had any problems with it and I use it for traveling a lot. As long as I keep up with the maintenance it works great

Dee O.

Is The 2006 Honda Element A Good Value?

I purchased it as a lease return for $15,000 in June 2009. From what I have been told, it has retained a good value at about $4500. I have also been told it is only halfway through its life.

Erin S.

I paid 19,000 out the door and had several add ons and extras thrown in. For what I wanted it for it has more than delivered. I absolutely love this car.

Brooklyn B.

The overall cost is still a very good value. There no damage to it and it could still sell for a decent price

Kc T.

I got it for under $9,000 and it was an excellent value. When I decided to buy an Element I saw some going for much more with much higher mileage.

Claire A.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the 2006 honda element vtec oil pressure switch location?

Answer: The 2006 Honda Element vtec oil pressure switch location is found by watching: https://youtu.be/ixphPPQGPUg?t=137 Having high quality oil is important for the engine to run smoothly. You will run into issues...

What's the 2006 honda element fuel filter location?

Answer: You can find the 2006 Honda Element fuel filter on the fuel pump assembly within the gas tank. As it is rated to last the life of the SUV, the manufacturer haS-Classified this component as a non-serviceable...

What is the 2006 honda element coolant type?

Answer: The 2006 Honda Element coolant type is green. You will come across many issues with an engine. A spark plug may come off, causing engine issues. A gasket may become loose and that needs to be tightened up. You...

See all Frequently Asked Questions

Answers are provided by third parties. We do not guarantee accuracy of responses

Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Rollover

Side

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

IIHS Crash Test

Moderate Overlap Front

Side

Roof Strength

Driver-side Overlap Front

Not Rated

*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

2006 Honda Element Overview, Reviews, Ratings & Specs

Positive Owner Reviews

Negative Owner Reviews

Honda Element Models

2006 Honda Element Owner Reviews

Pros from Owners

Cons from Owners

Ranks #7 Compact SUV by Owners

Ranks #10 Compact SUV by Fuel Economy

Is The 2006 Honda Element A Good Car?

How Reliable Is The 2006 Honda Element?

Is The 2006 Honda Element A Good Value?

Related Articles for 2006 Honda Element

Frequently Asked Questions

Safety & Reliability