There are signs the Honda Element may be on its way back.
A report in Automotive News has Honda planning to make an iconic nameplate like the Element a 2029 model. The publication says the new version will be an adventure-minded hybrid SUV to sit somewhere between the HR-V and CR-V, although Honda has yet to put any official stamp of approval on the story.
Should the report be right, it would hand Honda a worthy rival to the Ford Bronco Sport.
You could say the original Element was one of the most un-Honda-like vehicles they have ever put out. With its boxy shape, washable surfaces and no-nonsense interior, the crossover built up something of a cult following during its run in the U.S. from 2003-11.
The next iteration is supposed to have much of that same appeal, reworked for the current climate. Expect an upright, utilitarian design and a hybrid powertrain, which fits with Honda’s plans to electrify more of its offerings in the coming years. Put it between the value-oriented HR-V and the more conventional CR-V and you have a vehicle with enough personality for the active buyer.
It is good timing. Rivals like Ford have made the Bronco Sport a hit by packing off-road chops into a compact form. Honda has been without a model to speak directly to that crowd until now. Bringing back the Element lets them tap into a known brand and win over younger or more outdoor-inclined buyers, not to mention old owners who have been waiting for a successor.
Of course, we don’t know all the ins and outs. And since Honda has offered no public comment, the whole thing is still up in the air. Until then, those fond of the quirky little crossover will just have to wait and see.
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