2008 Honda Element

Honda's Element is an ideal vehicle for those who need a lot of versatility to carry things, especially big things, of varying shapes and sizes.

Outdoor recreation enthusiasts should be right at home.

Several innovations give this vehicle its cargo-carrying capabilities, such as its boxy design, large clamshell tailgate and side doors that swing wide open with no interfering pillar between them.

Also helping are 64 different interior configurations. The rear seats can be flipped up along the walls of the vehicle, folded down or totally removed. Bikes can be transported standing up, a rarity for any vehicle that isn't a full-size van.

The interior is extremely durable with stain-resistant seat fabric and a scratch-resistant floor.

The Element was introduced to the market in 2003 and won North American Truck of the Year. It is built in East Liberty, Ohio.

Under the hood is a 2.4-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder with 166 horsepower, the same unit that does duty in Honda's similar-sized but more conventional-looking CR-V SUV. It allows the Element to tow up to 1,500 pounds.

A manual transmission is standard, an automatic optional, both five-speeds.

EPA fuel economy is rated at 18 mpg in the city and 23 on the highway for the manual. Both these numbers improve by two mpg with the automatic, to 20 and 25.

Honda's Real Time four-wheel drive is optional. This hydraulically actuated system instantly transfers power to the rear wheels if front-wheel slippage occurs.

The front strut and rear double-wishbone suspension provide decent car-like road manners.

Two trims are offered, the LX and EX.

The EX adds some style (alloy wheels, chrome exhaust tips, body-colored panels) and some convenience (steering wheel-mounted audio controls, 270-watt seven-speaker stereo, more storage binnacles and a bit more).