Honda Might’ve Just Unexpectedly Confirmed the Return of a Quirky and Rugged Cult Favorite

The Element will reportedly return to battle the Ford Bronco Sport and beyond.

Rear view of an orange Honda Element 4WD with visible taillights and license plate CR70986.

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Published 2 hours ago

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It seems the Honda Element is making an unexpected comeback. Automotive News just reported the confirmed return of the quirky, rugged and boxy SUV.

Citing “people with knowledge of the plan,” the outlet states the automaker’s North American division decided to revive the model as a part of a brand-wide strategy shift.

Honda recently announced its plans to cancel several ambitious electric vehicle concepts and focus more on internal combustion-powered models. This new Element could be one of them.

Honda’s getting back into its element

Blue Honda Element SUV with black trim parked on a road with trees and hills in the background. — It’s been over 18 years since Honda last sold the Element.

It’s been almost two decades since Honda gave the world the Element. The strangely styled, yet outstandingly practical crossover SUV left an indelible mark on the world.

The Element’s oddball and boxy styling made it a hit with fans. Moreover, its double-sided suicide-style doors, massive cargo area with washable floors and robust neoprene-covered seats enabled an unrivaled level of versatility. That made it an outdoor enthusiast’s best friend.

Silver and black Honda Element with open doors and hatchback, carrying a red bicycle inside and a black bicycle on a rear rack. — Known for its huge cargo area and suicide-style doors, among many other neat features, the Element gained a huge cult following.

Given buyers’ growing interest in exploring the outdoors via automobiles, there seems to be a new opportunity for Honda’s Element to return.

The second-gen model will reportedly arrive with a gas-electric hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive. Industry analysts anticipate a reveal date sometime in late 2028 or early- or mid-2029.

Bringing boxy back

Woman petting a tan and black dog inside the open rear of a gray SUV with a dog-friendly decal. — The Element remains a cult favorite today among the adventurous and outdoorsy lot.

Details are rather sparse. But when this new supposed second-generation Element arrives, AN reports it’ll take on the likes of the Ford Bronco Sport, Jeep Cherokee and Toyota RAV4. The outlet also said the sources hinted at its positioning in Honda’s lineup, which will be between the HR-V and the CR-V.

This implies the new Element could be slightly smaller than its predecessor, which was sized more like a mid-compact crossover SUV.

Black Honda Element SUV rear side view with tinted windows and silver alloy wheels on a gray background. — With overlanding and adventuring out into the wilderness via automobile being all the buzz these days, Honda saw the opportunity.

But if there’s one major takeaway from the Element’s resurrection and its rivals, boxy and rugged appearances are back in style.

“The new Element should appeal to Ford Bronco Sport buyers who want rugged looks and all-wheel-drive capability without paying around $45,000,” renowned industry analyst, Sam Fiorano of AutoForecast Solutions, told AN.

Beige fabric front seats and black steering wheel inside an orange Honda car interior. — Another neat feature of the original Element was its washable floors and robust neoprene-covered seats.

“Threading the needle in price and size between the popular CR-V and the affordable HR-V will be key to the success of the new Element.”

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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