Autoblog

LA 2009: Luna and Toby model the 2010 Honda Element Dog Friendly package

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, LA Auto Show, SUV, Wagon, Etc., Crossover, Honda, Specialty

Luna, left, and Toby, model the Honda Element Dog Friendly edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda certainly can't be accused of running a dog and pony show here at the LA Auto Show, because there were no ponies. They did, however, have the adorable Luna and Toby on hand to demonstrate their clever Dog Friendly system on this Honda Element. It's essentially a collapsible ramp and pup tent (couldn't resist) with tethers that keeps dogs secure in back while protecting the interior of your vehicle from stains and pet hair.

We've shown you this Dog Friendly setup before, but couldn't resist snapping a few pics of the system in action, especially now that it's available. The Dog Friendly package is available on any 2010 Honda Element model for an extra $995. besides the nylon kennel and ramp, the system includes a cushioned bed, a spill-proof water dish, a small 12-volt ventilation fan, seat covers for the second row, and rubber floor mats with a bone motif. Seems like a reasonable price for keeping one's pets safe and secure, especially considering it's a custom fit package from the people who actually build the vehicle itself. There's a full press release after the jump and some more pics of Toby and Luna in our high-res gallery below.

Gallery: LA 2009: Dog Friendly Honda Element

Photos copyright (C)2009 Frank Filipponio/Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Honda]

Continue reading LA 2009: Luna and Toby model the 2010 Honda Element Dog Friendly package

LA 2009: Luna and Toby model the 2010 Honda Element Dog Friendly package originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Honda goes back to drawing board for smaller, lighter next-gen Civic

Noah Joseph — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:26:00 EST

Filed under: Honda

2009 Honda Civic - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you introduced an '80s-era Honda Civic to its modern counterpart, it couldn't recognize what it's become. But after decades of growing dimensions, Honda's going back to the drawing board for the next-gen Civic.

The change in direction was reportedly ordered last year before the global economy took a nose-dive by product chief Tsuneo Tanai who observed a rise in oil and raw metal prices. Once the financial sector hit rock bottom, the Civic emerged as a strong player, out-selling the Ford F-Series pickup as the number one vehicle in the United States in May 2008. Not satisfied with sitting back and seeing how things shape up, though, Tanai ordered his engineers and designers to scrap their plans and redesign the next-gen Civic to be smaller, cheaper, lighter and more fuel efficient.

The move coincides with Honda's re-strategizing vis-a-vis hybrids and electric vehicles, not to mention the cancellation of its V8 and rear-drive programs. But despite having put more people on the job, the decision to restart the Civic's development halfway through the process is sure to be a major setback for the company's lifecycle schedule. And not just for the Civic itself, but also for vehicles that share its platform, including the CR-V crossover, the Element sport-utility-box, the JDM Stream and European-market FR-V minivans, to say nothing of the upcoming CR-Z, Acura RDX, and of course the all-important Canadian-market Acura CSX.

Gallery: 2009 Honda Civic

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

REPORT: Honda goes back to drawing board for smaller, lighter next-gen Civic originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ruffing It: Honda confirms canine-friendly Element to nuzzle into showrooms next month

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Crossover, Honda, Specialty

2010 Honda Dog Friendly Element - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Honda Element would seem to be a fine choice for anyone with an active lifestyle that wants a vehicle that's able to haul a ton of stuff while getting reasonable fuel economy and not breaking the piggy bank. Now - if you'll forgive us for regurgitating this very tired joke - it's gone to the dogs.

Starting on November 16, Honda will begin selling a "Dog Friendly" version of the Element for an extra $995 with a "pet accommodation system designed to improve safety, comfort and convenience for dogs and their owners alike." Out back, a nylon-webbed car kennel is intended to be a secure place to keep your precious pooch, and a soft floor and dedicated fan keep Fido comfy. To ease ingress and egress, an integrated ramp is also included.

For the 2010 model year, pricing for the Honda Element 2WD LX model starts at $20,525, and a fully-loaded 4WD EX with navigation will peg the meter at a fair $25,585. All Elements come with the same 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and five-speed automatic transmission. Two-wheel drive models garner EPA ratings of 20 mpg city and 25 highway; adding 4WD drops each of those figures by one. Want to know more? Hit the jump for the official press release.

Gallery: 2010 Honda Dog Friendly Element

Gallery: New York 2009: Dog Friendly Honda Element Concept

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Ruffing It: Honda confirms canine-friendly Element to nuzzle into showrooms next month

Ruffing It: Honda confirms canine-friendly Element to nuzzle into showrooms next month originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Once again, the Nissan Cube proves that it's hip (for older folks) to be square

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, Hatchback, Honda, Kia, Nissan, Scion

2009 Nissan Cube Krom - Click above for high-res image gallery

Apparently, those with graying temples are attracted to cars that automakers had originally intended for younger audiences. This trend was most recently noticed with Honda Element and Scion xB, which featured heavily youth-slanted marketing schemes but were often purchased by those with a bit more experience under their belts.

By now, it's clear that trend is here to stay. According to USA Today, each automaker that offers a box-it-came-in mobile here in the United States - a list that includes the Honda Element, Kia Soul, Nissan Cube and Scion xB - reports that the average buyer is over the age of 40 and brings home over $60,000 per year.

Not surprisingly, it's not just the looks of these cars that attracts older buyers. Experts from AutoPacific and Edmunds suggest that the practical nature of such a design and its low price are key components of the genre's success. Just as long as somebody is buying them, we're pretty confident the boxy-but-cheap segment is here to stay.

Gallery: 2009 Nissan Cube Krom

[Source: USA Today]

REPORT: Once again, the Nissan Cube proves that it's hip (for older folks) to be square originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 Honda Element debuts, priced from $20,175

John Neff — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Honda

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Honda Element

Honda has taken the wraps off its redesigned 2009 Element after a number of leaked shots revealed the CUV's new skin. Priced from $20,175 for a 2WD LX model to $25,185 for a 4WD EX with Honda's Satellite-linked navigation, the new Element arrives looking much more grown up than its quirky predecessor. Retaining the same lunch box shape as before, the '09 Element gets a new front end with its own version of Honda's new corporate grille that debuted on its bigger brother, the Pilot SUV. Whereas the first Element used matte black plastic fenders to get across its off-the-beaten-path personality, the new one is dressed in color keyed sheetmetal on all four sides. The rear end has also been tweaked with a redesigned lift gate and taillights.

The Element's interior includes new color combos, titanium-look accents, new fabrics and revised switchgear, as well as a new convertible center console with a removable cooler. There's also a new three-compartment overhead console available. Buyers can choose from three models: the base LX, up-level EX and sportier SC. All three are powered by Honda's 2.4L inline-four engine with i-VTEC that produces 166 horsepower and 161 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy ranges from 18 city/23 highway for the SC and 20/25 for the LX and EX.

The new Element is certainly an improvement over the outgoing model, at least in the looks category, but functionally speaking it offers the same experience as the one before. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing considering the Element offers unique capabilities in a small, efficient package.

Gallery: 2009 Honda Element

Gallery: 2009 Honda Element SC

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading 2009 Honda Element debuts, priced from $20,175

2009 Honda Element debuts, priced from $20,175 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More 2009 Honda Element pics surface

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, Honda

Click above for gallery of the restyled 2009 Honda Element

Today we get to see the updates that Honda has made for its next Element more clearly. The most noticeable action is up front as the boxy 'ute gets Honda's new corporate-look grille. Classier head lights flank the five-sided opening and circular fog lamps slot nicely below them. It's a more mature look, which is fitting since the Element has proven popular with an older crowd than Honda had originally intended. Out back some shapely new tail lights appear alongside a subtly revised rear end.

As before, the standard model's clean lines can be enhanced a bit with the SC model, which gets a factory body-kit with pronounced flares and air dams. We don't spot any real changes on the inside, except an available nav system and chill box, though there was nothing wrong with the useful guts of the Element in the first place. We're also not expecting any major powertrain changes, but we'll report back when Honda makes things official.

Gallery: 2009 Honda Element

[Source: Carscoop]

More 2009 Honda Element pics surface originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009/10 Honda Element revealed in brochure

John Neff — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, Honda

Click above to enlarge

Thanks to Autoblog reader Brad, we now have proof Honda's new corporate grille that first debuted on the 2009 Pilot will be making its way to the 2009/10 Element, as well. This brochure scan reveals the Element's new face, which is clearly more mature and grown up than the previous year's model. There are larger, more complex headlamps that flank the new chunky grille, and thick, body colored molding no longer dominates the more aerodynamic front end. We're also told the next Element will offer new options like a cooling fridge, nav system and two new shades of dark and light blue. The vehicle appears to retain the same 2.4L i-VTEC four-cylinder engine and available four-wheel-drive, though Honda might not offer those funky matte black body panels anymore.

[Source: Brad]

2009/10 Honda Element revealed in brochure originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda announces pricing for 2007 Element

Stuart Waterman — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 20:58:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Honda

Honda launched its updated 2007 Element LX and EX models in the U.S. Wednesday, with prices starting at $18,900. The all-new Element SC will also debut in showrooms September 28, starting at $22,695.

The entire Element lineup benefits from freshened styling, an extra 10 hp (for a total of 166 hp), an available five-speed automatic, and added safety features.

The new Element SC (for "Street Custom") is intended to have a sportier look and feel, including a sport-tuned suspension with lowered ride height, 18-inch wheels, and unique styling touches inside and out.

Press release and more pics after the jump.

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Honda announces pricing for 2007 Element

Honda announces pricing for 2007 Element originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Aug 2006 20:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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