| ewald88 |
We recently traded in our 2002 Buick Regal on a 2006 Honda Element AWD w/auto as we couldn't haul around our 2 year old and the requisite stuff that comes with a child in the Regal. Nothing wrong with the Regal....love the 3800 V6 engine in it, just a space issue.
Compared to our (purchased new as well) 2004 SL AWD here is what we've found so far:
1. Style- both the Mo and Element are head turners in their own right. Family/friends/strangers always look twice at either vehicle. I would say I like the Mo styling more, but the Element reminds me of a sawed-off old Range Rover from the African Safari movies...and as a guy, that's kinda cool too.
2. Engines- While the 2.5L 4cyl. in the Element is very sporty in town (surprisingly so I'll admit), it only gets around 24-25mpg on the highway, so in essence it's only about 1-2mpg better than Mo on the highway. For the difference in power and smoothness there really isn't much of a comparison.....until we look at in-town mpg. The Element kicks the living snot out of the Mo here, so for the road warriors....take the Mo on trips like we do. For the "Soccer 'parents'", that little Element is sweet!
3. Interior- Really hard to compare as the Element is meant to be spartan and easy to clean. Honestly the seats in the Element are fairly comfy, even for extended travel...but the Mo seats are a little better overall. There is just plain more options and amenities in the Mo....so it's going to depend on what you want from a vehicle. The Element is much easier to clean, the Mo is more of a luxury ride so comfort is the focus. The biggest surprise in the ELement interior is the stereo system....keep in mind the Element was originally designed for 20 somethings out to cut loose on the weekends, I don't care what anyone says about the BOSE system in the Mo, the stereo in the Element flat out eats the BOSE for lunch. At 34 I make the teens and 20 somethings listen to MY music at the stop lights on a factory system. Some boys never really grow up and I'm happy to have the rear view mirror vibrate on command if I'm in the mood.
4. Handling- The Element is so much lighter than the Mo that I feel less secure in it even with the AWD. On snow/compacted ice/etc. in ND/MN this winter I feel more like I'm in my old Ford Windstar minivan than an AWD vehicle when in the Element. The security of the Mo and it's AWD are leaps and bounds above the Element. On drive pavement the Element actually handles very well for something I figured was so boxy and tall....with the AWD the AWD actually is a very fun in-town vehicle. In straght line driving and getting through snow both the Element and Mo do well, but I think the Mo is just more sure footed when push comes to shove. The off-ramps, etc. are much better in the Mo, but again you are comparing a $35K vehicle to a $21K vehicle. On cannot expect a "toaster on wheels" to handle as well as a vehicle designed specifically to handle like a sports car.
Overall, we know the Mo is a higher end vehicle, but the Element has been a blast to this point for a second vehicle. I see that Nissan is coming out with a Mo Jr. (although they are doing their best to say it's not). Might have to check it out and compare it to the Element and see if we go back to all Nissan?!?!? |
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