Honda has dropped details and pictures of the restyled 2009 Honda Element online today. The changes are mostly cosmetic, updating the quirky SUV with Honda's latest family look. Under new sheet metal and an updated interior, the Element retains the same engine and transmissions, so the 2009 Element is a refresh, not a full redesign.
The most obvious change is right up front, where the grille has been restyled to mimic Honda's new bold chrome ring look first seen on the redesigned 2009 Honda Pilot. Honda has also restyled the front fenders -- this time in metal rather than composites -- and squared the wheel arches all the way around.Inside, the 2009 Element has been updated with modern gadgets such as Bluetooth connectivity, Honda's satellite-linked navigation system with Voice Activation, a rear-view camera for automatic transmission models and USB digital media connectivity.
Under the hood remains Honda's versatile 2.4L i-VTEC inline four-cylinder engine making 166 hp and 161 lb-ft. of torque. It can be mated to a five-speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission and can be had in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive format on the LX and EX models and front-wheel drive only on the SC model. When two wheels are driven, the 2009 Element gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city and 25 mpg highway with the automatic transmission, while AWD models get 18 mpg city and 23 mpg highway regardless of what transmission they're mated to.
The base model Element LX will start at $20,845 including destination charge, while a fully-loaded Element SC carries a manufacturers suggested retail price of $26,345. Honda hasn't announced an on-sale date yet, but the restyled Element should see dealer showroom floors fairly soon.
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