Adding "Sport"
When the Element was introduced in 2003, it's styling was viewed as a little over the top for a company as conservative in their penmanship as Honda is. Now that we've grown accustomed to the vehicle's funkiness, Honda has spiced-up the versatile CUV with a "Sport" edition.
The Element SC retains all of the vehicle's practicality while showing-off a series of styling tweaks, which include painted bumpers and fascia, an "aero" grille, 18-inch wheels and projector headlights. Inside one finds a centre console, carpeted floors and a redesigned gauge cluster. Further setting the SC apart from the conventional is sport-tuned suspension and lowered ride-height.
All 2007 Elements receive a boost in horsepower as well, taking the 2.4 litre, i-VTEC DOHC four-cylinder mill to 166 horsepower from its previous rating of 156 horsepower. My SC tester was equipped with a five-speed manual mixer, however a five-speed autobox is also new for '07. The extra ponies is a most welcomed addition to the Element, which has never been a powerhouse- and still isn't. Yet, Honda's most affordable crossover is no dog. It zips through traffic and the countryside with little complaint or deficiency. It's i-VTEC engine spins freely while taking full advantage of gear ratios well matched to its powerband.
Without resorting to a gut-jarring ride, the SC's sport-tuned suspension and lower ride height improve handling dynamics quite noticeably, removing any sense of tipsiness or unpredictability sometimes associated with CUVs and SUVs. Overall, the SC delivers an enjoyable experience behind the wheel with impressive head and legroom at all four seating positions.
The front perches offer decent support and adjustment however the rear seats lack thigh and lumbar support. Unfortunately the 50/50-split bench doesn't fold flat into the floor. Each rear seat must be awkwardly pivoted upward against the side glass when extra stowage is needed. One other point that may be important to SC buyers is the absence of Honda's Realtime four-wheel-drive technology. The SC is strictly a front-wheel-drive vehicle. And be careful of its wide "A" pillars, they intrude upon one's vision when turning.
The base Element starts at $25,200CA. The sporty SC rolls off the rack at $29,00CA. I've always liked the Element in a weird sort of way. It's a tremendously well thought-out high value CUV, which leads me to wonder whether the extra $4K or so to secure an SC edition is really worth it. Personally, I'd rather sink the money into an EX model equipped Realtime four-wheel-drive.
Practicality
Compact exterior / voluminous interior
Value
Is SC worth $4K more?
No Realtime four-wheel-drive availability
None
photo:Rob Rothwell
When the Element was introduced in 2003, it's styling was viewed as a little over the top for a company as conservative in their penmanship as Honda is. Now that we've grown accustomed to the vehicle's funkiness, Honda has spiced-up the versatile CUV with a "Sport" edition.
The Element SC retains all of the vehicle's practicality while showing-off a series of styling tweaks, which include painted bumpers and fascia, an "aero" grille, 18-inch wheels and projector headlights. Inside one finds a centre console, carpeted floors and a redesigned gauge cluster. Further setting the SC apart from the conventional is sport-tuned suspension and lowered ride-height.
 |
| The Element is maturing in style. |
All 2007 Elements receive a boost in horsepower as well, taking the 2.4 litre, i-VTEC DOHC four-cylinder mill to 166 horsepower from its previous rating of 156 horsepower. My SC tester was equipped with a five-speed manual mixer, however a five-speed autobox is also new for '07. The extra ponies is a most welcomed addition to the Element, which has never been a powerhouse- and still isn't. Yet, Honda's most affordable crossover is no dog. It zips through traffic and the countryside with little complaint or deficiency. It's i-VTEC engine spins freely while taking full advantage of gear ratios well matched to its powerband.
Without resorting to a gut-jarring ride, the SC's sport-tuned suspension and lower ride height improve handling dynamics quite noticeably, removing any sense of tipsiness or unpredictability sometimes associated with CUVs and SUVs. Overall, the SC delivers an enjoyable experience behind the wheel with impressive head and legroom at all four seating positions.
The front perches offer decent support and adjustment however the rear seats lack thigh and lumbar support. Unfortunately the 50/50-split bench doesn't fold flat into the floor. Each rear seat must be awkwardly pivoted upward against the side glass when extra stowage is needed. One other point that may be important to SC buyers is the absence of Honda's Realtime four-wheel-drive technology. The SC is strictly a front-wheel-drive vehicle. And be careful of its wide "A" pillars, they intrude upon one's vision when turning.
 |
| The large A pillars are likely to interfere with the driver's visibility. |
The base Element starts at $25,200CA. The sporty SC rolls off the rack at $29,00CA. I've always liked the Element in a weird sort of way. It's a tremendously well thought-out high value CUV, which leads me to wonder whether the extra $4K or so to secure an SC edition is really worth it. Personally, I'd rather sink the money into an EX model equipped Realtime four-wheel-drive.
 |
Compact exterior / voluminous interior
Value
 |
Is SC worth $4K more?
No Realtime four-wheel-drive availability
 |
None
photo:Rob Rothwell
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