The rear seats are roomy as well. They're raised off the floor a couple of inches higher than the front seats, giving back-seat passengers better visibility over the front seats. However, we found rear-seat passengers complained about not being able to see signs and buildings; they have to stoop to see out the windshield. This makes the Element a poor choice for taking a group sightseeing.
One of the most talked-about features of the Element is its pillarless, rear-hinged back doors. With no B-pillars to get in the way, there's easy access to the rear seating area. For safety reasons, however, the rear side doors cannot be opened unless the front door has been opened first. Likewise, the rear doors have to be closed before the front side doors can be closed. This design results in a shuffle whenever dropping off back-seat passengers because the front-seat occupants have to unbuckle their seatbelts and open their doors to let rear passengers in or out. Pull up next to a wall and your passengers will find themselves stuck in an unexpected, intimate party, as they all get trapped between the open doors.
When it comes to moving cargo, however, this Honda is in its element. (Sorry, couldn't resist.) It's a great vehicle for getting groceries. The center-opening doors allow easy loading of bulky objects without having a pillar to get in the way. The rear seats fold down easily, and can be swung up to the side, leaving an uninterrupted flat floor space. The front passenger seatback can be folded forward to make room for a 10-foot surfboard, which would still leave room for the driver and one passenger behind the driver: two surfers, two surfboards, in other words. All the seats, including the driver's, can be folded back to make a large, albeit uncomfortable, double bed. When parked, the Element can be set up to serve as a giant locker for outdoor gear, a truly great feature. The keyless remote unlocked only the driver's door on our Element, which was inconvenient, though maybe the dealer can program it to unlock them all.
The floor is covered in a urethane-coated material that resists water, dirt and scratches, and is easily cleaned. The front seats are coated in a waterproof material designed for easy cleaning as well. The rear seats are covered with the same material on LX and EX models.
Storage areas abound. The backs of the front seats have large storage pockets. Both the front and back seats on the driver's side of EX models also have bungee cords on the back to secure larger objects. (For example, says Honda, you could strap skateboards to the backs of both left-side seats.) This helps secure your gear so it isn't rolling around. Cup holders can be found on the backs of folded seats. The Element should be good for tailgate parties.
Up front, the dashboard reflects the simple design of the Element. The gauges are contained in three deep pods, shielding them from the sun. Climate and radio controls are well placed. The EX provides an auxiliary jack for digital media, such as an Apple iPod, so the stored music can be played back directly through the Element's sound system. The 270-watt system included with the EX is pretty decent and includes a large subwoofer beneath the dashboard.
