Written byThe Honda Element is among the most well-known and practical compact SUVs ever to appear in the automobile sector. Early in this century, the Element’s boxy style, toughness, comfortable interior room, and distinctive clamshell doors made it stand out. As an SUV built for those who like the outdoors and need a reliable ride, it attracts drivers who take their pets, visit campsites, and get around the city. The Element lived on after Honda stopped manufacturing it, thanks to the love of its many faithful owners.
If you enjoy the Honda Element or are seeking a vehicle with the same advantages in space, flexibility, and fun-to-drive qualities, there’s good news here: an option for you. Currently, no model matches the exact mix, but in 2024 and 2025, several get close by fusing reasonable space, good interior, excellent value, and unique good looks. Regardless if you’re after standard all-wheel drive, more space in the car, or a stylish model different from most SUVs, there are interesting choices out there for you.
Here, we’ll look at some of the best cars that resemble the original Honda Element. Whether you pick the rugged Forester or the original Kia Soul, you’ll get what the Element had in terms of spaciousness, great extras, and impressive styles. We have new and used cars on our lot to help fit everyone’s needs and budgets. For anyone searching for a Honda Element substitute around 2024 or 2025, you’ve come to the right article to explore your best options.
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#1. Subaru Forester
- Engine: 2.5L 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: 182 hp
- Torque: 176 lb-ft
- Transmission: CVT
- Drivetrain: Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
- Cargo Space: Up to 74.2 cu ft
- Ground Clearance: 8.7 inches
- Starting Price: $28,440
Sports utility vehicle fans who prefer something dependable instead of the Honda Element will find much to like in the Subaru Forester. Because of its strong design, typically equipped four-wheel drive, and nice ground clearance of 8.7 inches, driving the Forester is possible in the city and off the road.
The 2.5L 4-cylinder motor is under the hood, creating 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, and all that power is sent to the wheels through a CVT. There’s plenty of room for you and your passengers, and you get up to 74.2 cubic feet of space for your outdoor or everyday gear. With a starting price of $28,440. The Forester offers excellent value, impressive ability, and lots of comfort, which is why it’s compared to the adventurous Honda Element.
#2. Kia Soul
- Engine: 2.0L 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: 147 hp
- Torque: 132 lb-ft
- Transmission: CVT
- Drivetrain: FWD
- Cargo Space: 62.1 cu ft
- Ground Clearance: 6.7 inches
- Starting Price: $20,190
Kia easily beat Honda with the Soul, packing fun and usefulness with a stylish boxy crossover shape. A roomy cabin and 62.1 cubic feet of cargo space mean the Soul is both helpful for city drivers and fashionable. The 2.0L engine on this gives you 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque and matches a CVT and front-wheel powertrain.
You can enjoy the Soul’s 6.7 inches of ground clearance, and it’s easy to control when driving around town and finding a place to park. Starting at just $20,190, the surprising charm and daily usefulness of the Kia Soul put it on par with the old Honda Element as an affordable car.
#3. Toyota Corolla Cross
- Engine: 2.0L 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: 169 hp
- Torque: 151 lb-ft
- Transmission: CVT
- Drivetrain: FWD / AWD
- Cargo Space: 66.8 cu ft
- Starting Price: $23,860
A better choice for some than the Honda Element, the Corolla Cross gives SUV benefits in a simpler vehicle to drive and manage. Combining a 2.0L engine and eco-friendly benefits, the car goes from 0-60 miles per hour in just over 7.5 seconds. The Corolla Cross is built with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive, which means it is comfortable on the roads and works well on dirt and mud.
Thanks to its up to 66.8 cubic feet of cargo room. It’s great for families, travel, or when you have lots to carry. For just $23,860, the Corolla Cross is a top choice in the compact crossover class, just like the Honda Element, because it’s dependable, flexible, and reasonably priced.
#4. Ford Bronco Sport
- Engine: 1.5L or 2.0L EcoBoost
- Horsepower: 181–250 hp
- Torque: 190–277 lb-ft
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Drivetrain: AWD
- Cargo Space: 65.2 cu ft
- Ground Clearance: Up to 8.8 inches
- Starting Price: $31,230
Anyone who enjoyed the old Honda Element will find the Bronco Sport a good fit for their rugged taste with a touch of modern style. The Bronco Sport invites because it is boxy in shape, has all-wheel drive standards, and has 8.8 inches of ground clearance. The truck uses two EcoBoost engines, which make 181 to 250 horsepower and 190 to 277 lb-ft of torque and send power to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Its 65.2 cubic feet of cargo space means it’s perfect for transporting gear for any outdoor visit. From only $31,230 the Bronco Sport is one of the top SUV replacements for the Honda Element, giving you both off-road and practical features.
#5. Jeep Renegade
- Engine: 1.3L Turbo 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: 177 hp
- Torque: 210 lb-ft
- Transmission: 9-speed automatic
- Drivetrain: AWD
- Cargo Space: 50.8 cu ft
- Ground Clearance: 8.7 inches
- Starting Price: $28,345
The Jeep Renegade has a boxy design like the Honda Element and shows lots of spirit for excitement. The car’s 1.3L turbocharged engine gives you 177 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque, with a 9-speed automatic transmission that ensures excellent all-around vehicle performance. An 8.7- inch ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive help Trail models go off the beaten path for weekend explorations.
Even though it’s tiny, the Renegade boasts 50.8 cubic feet of cargo space, which is excellent for people who have active lives. You can get it for as low as $28,345, and this Jeep Renegade is one of the top SUVs for off-roading, much like the Honda Element, which combines style, function, and usability.
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#6. Honda HR-V
- Engine: 2.0L 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: 158 hp
- Torque: 138 lb-ft
- Transmission: CVT
- Drivetrain: FWD / AWD
- Cargo Space: 66.8 cu ft
- Starting Price: $25,950
This upcoming Honda HR-V is ready to replace the Honda Element, bringing more flexibility inside, trusted Honda quality, and a modern design. Being powered by a 158 horsepower / 138 lb-ft CVT-equipped 2.0L 4-cylinder, the HR-V delivers a pleasant and practical driving experience. You can have FWD and AWD versions; this model suits driving in different conditions.
You’ll love the flexible seating thanks to the unique Magic Seat system and 66.8 cubic feet of cargo area inside the HR-V. Starting from $25,950, the 2024 Honda HR-V gives you the comfort, space, and value of the Honda Element and comes in a modern design that is simple to operate.
#7. Toyota RAV4
- Engine: 2.5L 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: 203 hp
- Torque: 184 lb-ft
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Drivetrain: FWD / AWD
- Cargo Space: 69.8 cu ft
- Ground Clearance: 8.4 inches
- Starting Price: $29,825
The Toyota RAV4 shows why it deserves to be considered as this decade’s replacement for the Honda Element. With 69.8 cubic feet of inside storage and 8.4 inches of clearance toward the ground, the RAV4 works well for trips through town or to get away for the weekend. That’s an 8-speed automatic transmission with a 203 horsepower, 2.5L 4-cylinder engine.
The RAV4 can be purchased as an FWD or AWD model, and there are rugged trims called Adventure and TRD Off-Road made for those who spend time outdoors. Toyota RAV4’s price of $29,825 makes it one of the best all-around SUVs, much like the Honda Element, for its dependability, ability, and everyday effectiveness
#8. Hyundai Kona
- Engine: 2.0L or 1.6L Turbo 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: 147–195 hp
- Torque: 132–195 lb-ft
- Transmission: CVT or 8-speed automatic
- Drivetrain: FWD / AWD
- Cargo Space: 63.7 cu ft
- Starting Price: $24,250
Anyone looking in the market for a small SUV will find the Hyundai Kona appealing, especially if they’re fans of what the Honda Element used to be. Hyundai Kona buyers can pick a 2.0L engine for 147 or a turbo 1.6L for up to 195 horsepower and up to 195 lb-ft of torque mated to a CVT or 8-speed automatic gearbox.
Driveway agility comes from Kona’s FWD option, and there is also AWD for those weekend drives on the city outskirts. Inside are 63.7 cubic feet of cargo area, making the car easy to park and practical. Priced from about $24,250, the new Hyundai Kona has what most people want from a small SUV, just like the classic Honda Element.
#9. Chevrolet Trax
- Engine: 1.2L Turbo 3-cylinder
- Horsepower: 137 hp
- Torque: 162 lb-ft
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic
- Drivetrain: FWD
- Cargo Space: 54.1 cu ft
- Starting Price: $21,495
The Chevrolet Trax can compete with the Honda Element since both have a boxy design and make good use of every inch inside. The three-cylinder, turbocharged 1.2L engine in the Trax gives it 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, which is handled well with its 6-speed automatic transmission.
Because it has front-wheel drive, the Trax is simple and pleasant, and the inside supplies plenty of space for groceries or gear on any excursion. For $21,495, the new Chevy Trax gives drivers stylish features, a reasonable price, and practicality on a budget, much like the Honda Element.
#10. Used Honda Element
- Engine: 2.4L 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: 166 hp (2007+)
- Torque: 161 lb-ft
- Transmission: 5-speed auto / 5-speed manual
- Drivetrain: FWD / AWD
- Cargo Space: Up to 74.6 cu ft
- Ground Clearance: 6.9–7.9 inches
- Price Range: $5,000–$15,000 (used market)
Many people looking for the actual Honda Element experience still choose a used model from 2003 to 2011. Due to its unusual boxy form, strong seat materials, and removal option for rear seats, it is very versatile. Using an effective 2.4L 4-cylinder engine developing 166 horsepower (in models from 2007 on), the Element is reliable and capable, working with automatic and manual gearboxes.
You can find front or all-wheel drive, giving you up to 74.6 cubic feet inside and ground clearance from 6.9 to 7.9 inches. For less than $15,000 used, the Element is a favorite among those looking for an exceptional compact SUV.
Conclusion: Which Honda Element Alternative Is Best for You?
If the Honda Element’s usefulness draws you to it, you have several top options for 2024–2025 that are equally as or more practical. Welcome to the Subaru Forester and Ford Bronco Sport, a strong, handy, and sporty AWD model with tons of cargo space and off-road excitement. Buyers looking to save will appreciate the design and quality of the Kia Soul or Chevy Trax.
Even so, if you’re looking for the real character of the Element, you can’t surpass a used model. It’s practical, appealing, and more challenging than most modern cars.
You’ll spot the right Element-style SUV if you want fun, room for your belongings, or unique character.
