23 September 2002: If you're of the impression that Honda make dull-looking but good cars, then take a look at this one, not for Europe but aimed at Yankland, and showing that the company can tirn a concept into a roadgoer in short order.

The Element will drive into new territory with a multi-functional cargo area, innovative and versatile seating, durable interior, and energetic performance when it goes on sale in December.

The Element is based on the Model X concept vehicle that debuted at the 2001 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and many of the features displayed on the concept vehicle have been incorporated into the final production version. By combining popular traits from pickup trucks, SUVs, and other vehicles, Element has a hard flat floor like a pickup, an enclosed rear area like an SUV, fuel economy and handling performance like a car, available four-wheel-drive, and a price starting around $16,000.

Side cargo doors with no B-pillar open from the center and allow for easy loading of bulky items. For sports gear including mountain bikes, snowboards, surfboards, and other equipment, the rear seats flip to the side to create a vast cargo area. The rear seats also lay flat to form a bed with the front seats, or can be removed entirely.

Element is available in two trim levels, the entry DX and the fully loaded EX. The EX models add alloy wheels, ABS, air conditioning, cruise control, power mirrors, audio system and more.

The car features waterproof material on the front and rear bucket seats (front seat only on DX models). A urethane-coated utility floor resists water, dirt, and scratches while providing easy clean-up and cargo loading. A large rear skylight (on 4WD models) tilts or removes completely and stores inside the vehicle. The gear shifter for manual and automatic transmissions sits in the center of the instrument panel, and there's something we've been advocating for quite a while - an auxiliary audio input built into the dash for digital media/MP3 players.

Honda's 2.4-liter/160-hp, i-VTEC, four-cylinder engine is coupled to either a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transmission, and promises to provide good acceleration while maintaining fuel economy. Honda's Real Time 4WD system is available on both DX and EX models, and 16-inch wheels are standard.

Just thought you'd like to see what the other half gets.