It wasn’t a massive hit.
The original Honda Element? Loved by a few, ignored by most. Its weird design killed mass appeal, but that weirdness built a cult following after it vanished from showrooms a decade and a half ago.
Now the ghost might return.
Reports say Honda is bringing back the Element before this decade ends. Production should start in late 2029. You can expect it on lots as a 2030 model. It aims to take on the Ford Bronco Sport. Rugged? Maybe. Nobody knows for sure yet.
A Brief History Of Oddballs
Let’s look at why we miss it.
The original had suicide doors. Hinged in the rear. No pillar on the back.
The result? A huge cavern of space. People turned that interior into sleeping areas thanks to seats that folded flat and rubber floors that could be hosed out. The split tailgate helped.
Honda killed the name in 2011. Sales dropped. But the fans remained.
Consumers want SUVs that go off-road now. The timing is right.
What Does The New One Look Like?
Probably called the Honda Element again.
It won’t be pretty in 2003 terms. Back then? Plastic everywhere. Gray cladding on fenders, sills, and the tailgate. Honda eventually removed some of that plastic during a mid-cycle refresh, but it was still bulky.
This rendering? Different vibe.
Less plastic. Just the bumpers and lower doors. It borrows the boxy stance of the current Honda Passport. That SUV got rugged recently.
Will it keep the rear-hinged doors?
We hope so. Without that pillarless door thing, it’s just another SUV. A tall tailgate with a low open height fits the brand.
Under The Hood
This is where it gets tricky.
Honda is all-in on hybrids. A new Element sharing a floorpan with the CR-V feels unlikely. Too cramped for that open-back design.
Maybe it rides the Passport platform. That shares parts with the Ridgeline and the Odyssey. Too big? Perhaps.
Or it gets a new hybrid architecture entirely.
No manual transmission. Sorry purists. The original used a 2.4L four-cylinder engine making 160 horsepower. It had a 5-speed stick or 4-speed auto.
The new one will be hybrid. Probably. Honda plans 15 new hybrid models by 2030. They have 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter engines ready. Expect All-Wheel Drive to be optional.
No manual shift lever in the next one.
When Can You Buy It?
Don’t hold your breath until 2029.
Production starts Q2 2029. The debut? Probably late 2028 or mid-2028 at earliest. A concept teaser in 2027? Likely.
Where? Ohio.
The same factory that made the first one. Honda expects to churn out 100,00 of these yearly there. Global production hub status? Yes.
The Price Tag
This is the hard part.
It sits above the HR-V. Below the CR-V. But the hybrid tech costs money.
The original LX 2WD started around $21k in 2011 dollars.
Adjusted for inflation? Over $32k today.
The Ford Bronco Sport starts at roughly $33,800 for the 2026 model year. Honda won’t beat that easily with hybrid complexity.
Mid-$30s is a safe bet.
Will people buy a boxy plastic hybrid for $35k?
Only one way to find out.
