Honda Element Gas Mileage

November 17th, 2007 | honda, suv

Honda’s distinctive compact crossover Element SUV was introduced in the 2003 model year. It has not yet undergone a significant redesign. While the Element shares its engine and underpinnings with the Honda CR-V, gas mileage suffers a bit due to the aerodynamic drag of the Element’s boxy shape, with highway gas mileage ratings peaking at 25 miles per gallon (MPG) for the manual-transmission 2WD variant.

The Element’s 2.4 liter 4-banger produces 156 horsepower and can be equipped with either a five-speed manual or automatic transmission. For many, the design of the Element is a love it or hate it affair. If the Element persists into the 2009 model year and beyond, it will be a prime candidate to receive the CR-V diesel’s thrifty 2.2 liter i-CTDi powerplant.

Honda Element Gas Mileage – 2003-2009

Year	Manf.	Model	Engine	Disp.	Fuel	Trans.	City	Hwy
2009	HONDA	ELEMENT 2WD	4 cylinder	2.4 liter	R	(L5) Auto	20	25
2009	HONDA	ELEMENT 2WD	4 cylinder	2.4 liter	R	(M5) Manual	18	23
2009	HONDA	ELEMENT 4WD	4 cylinder	2.4 liter	R	(L5) Auto	19	24
2009	HONDA	ELEMENT 4WD	4 cylinder	2.4 liter	R	(M5) Manual	18	23
2008	HONDA	ELEMENT 2WD	4 cylinder	2.4 liter	R	(M5) Manual	18	23
2008	HONDA	ELEMENT 2WD	4 cylinder	2.4 liter	R	(L5) Auto	20	25
2008	HONDA	ELEMENT 4WD	4 cylinder	2.4 liter	R	(M5) Manual	18	23
2008	HONDA	ELEMENT 4WD	4 cylinder	2.4 liter	R	(L5) Auto	19	24
2007	HONDA	ELEMENT 2WD	4 cylinder	2.4 liter	R	(L5) Auto	22	27
2007	HONDA	ELEMENT 2WD	4 cylinder	2.4 liter	R	(M5) Manual	21	25
2007	HONDA	ELEMENT 4WD	4 cylinder	2.4 liter	R	(L5) Auto	21	26
2007	HONDA	ELEMENT 4WD	4 cylinder	2.4 liter	R	(M5) Manual	21	24
2006	HONDA	ELEMENT 2WD	4 cylinder	2.4 liter	R	(M5) Manual	21	25
2006	HONDA	ELEMENT 2WD	4 cylinder	2.4 liter	R	(L4) Auto	22	26
2006	HONDA	ELEMENT 4WD	4 cylinder	2.4 liter	R	(M5) Manual	21	24
2006	HONDA	ELEMENT 4WD	4 cylinder	2.4 liter	R	(L4) Auto	21	24
2004	HONDA	ELEMENT 2WD	4 cylinder	2.4 liter	R	(L4) Auto	22	26
2004	HONDA	ELEMENT 2WD	4 cylinder	2.4 liter	R	(M5) Manual	21	26
2004	HONDA	ELEMENT 4WD	4 cylinder	2.4 liter	R	(M5) Manual	21	24
2004	HONDA	ELEMENT 4WD	4 cylinder	2.4 liter	R	(L4) Auto	21	24
2003	HONDA	ELEMENT 2WD	4 cylinder	2.4 liter	R	(L4) Auto	22	26
2003	HONDA	ELEMENT 2WD	4 cylinder	2.4 liter	R	(M5) Manual	21	26
2003	HONDA	ELEMENT 4WD	4 cylinder	2.4 liter	R	(L4) Auto	21	24

Note: the EPA tweaked their testing procedure, starting with the 2008 model year, with the end result being that the 2008 MPG estimates are now lower than previous years. As always, YMMV.

5 comments ↓

#1 Tobias on 07.03.08 at 8:40 am

I get 22.5 City and the best I’ve done on a long trip is 27 MPG highway in a 2003 2WD Element w/AT. I’m surprised that it does better than my CR-V.

Upgraded the tires and run them at max inflation. Added sound proofing to the entire vehicle (inside the panels and under the floor).

#2 Art on 09.16.08 at 1:29 pm

My 2008 LX 2wd Auto gets around 28 Average, 30 best. Im easy on the gas and drive 65 on highway.

#3 David on 10.20.08 at 8:40 pm

I wish! We bought our 2005 EX Element 2WD used with 28K on it. We have had it for 1500 miles and have kept careful records as we use it for business. So far our best is 19MPG and normally we get 16-17MPG. We have had it two different Honda Dealers and they doth say the car is perfect with nothing wrong.

The only thing they think is the problem might be the new tires. We are careful on the gas pedal and drive a mix of city and highway.

#4 susan on 08.10.09 at 2:07 pm

I sure am glad I got the 2007 Element–it looks like the 2008 model drops fuel efficiency by about 20%! I never get below 21 mpg and usually average 23+. I do about 70% highway at 65-70 mph (except rush hour, which I mostly manage to avoid). The rest is probably 10% city and 20% “Farm to Market” roads, which are typically 50 mph, stoplights every 2 miles.
I love my element and use it instead of my 13 mpg pickup truck to tote bales of hay, feed, bedding, etc.

#5 mpg-o-editor on 08.10.09 at 2:11 pm