Honda Cars : Tested: 2010 Honda Element, Dog-Friendly Package | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

We've always thought of the Honda Element as one of the best vehicles for dog owners. Thanks to its tall cabin, easy-clean cargo floor, and versatile seating arrangement, it's long been a favorite among active folks with dogs.

For 2010, Honda finally took advantage of the Element's usefulness—or pawtential, we've said—by introducing a new Dog Friendly Element. Our own pooch, Owen, is usually a willing adventurer, if a little anxious as a passenger, so it seemed like a no-brainer for us to hop in a Dog-Friendly Element, test out its creature comforts, and head for a hiking trail.

The Dog Friendly package includes a host of additional accessories, which Owen and I put through the paces on the way to and from our hike. Special second-row seat covers allowed Owen to be belted in with his harness (you should never let a dog ride shotgun, or be loose in the vehicle) in a special dog pattern, as well as rubbery bone-pattern floor mats.

The centerpiece of the Dog Friendly package is a soft-sided car kennel, made by the safety supplier Takata, of seatbelt-grade vinyl webbing. Owen fit into it perfectly, the floor is soft, and it includes a ventilation fan and water dish. All that said, it was a little too claustrophobic for him, especially when we zipped up the screen; but plenty of dogs dig that.

The package also includes an extendable (five foot or so) ramp that stows under the kennel floor in a separate compartment. It would surely be handy for the smaller or arthritic pups, but my hound just didn't get the need for this either.

As we've reported about other Honda Element models in the past, including the 2010 Element, this utility vehicle is hard to beat for people who often have one or two people plus gear to carry.

The Element's suicide-type door setup (back doors are hinged at the rear) allows a very wide opening for loading, and the back seats fold down easily, with the tall, boxy body enabling more useful cargo capability than in most other utility vehicles.

Only when you try to fit adult passengers in back do you run into the tradeoffs: flat, short cushions back there that aren't very comfortable for longer trips, as well as a door arrangement that requires back doors to be closed before the front ones.

The Element's 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine doesn't have awesome thrust, but it's quick enough, and the five-speed automatic shifts smoothly most of the time (except when rolling back onto the throttle out of a tight turn, when it would often hesitate between gears for a moment). The most surprising thing about the Element, for those who've never driven one, is that it doesn't at all feel tipsy, and even with some crosswinds on the highway it still tracks straight. At lower speeds especially, the Element feels confident and nimble—credit underpinnings that are shared with Honda's small cars.

And it's frugal: Over a week, I covered about 250 miles in all, with and without Owen, and averaged about 25 mpg—beating the 4WD test vehicle's 19 mpg city, 24 highway EPA rating.

The Dog Friendly package costs just $995, which brought the price of our top-of-the-line 2010 Honda Element EX (with navigation) up to $27,365. I'm pretty convinced that's a good value, but Owen is still hinting that it could buy the mother lode of kibs.

Source;
http://www.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1048529_tested-2010-honda-element-dog-friendly-package

Honda Cars : 2010 Honda Element EX AWD with Dog Friendly Package - Quick Spin | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Honda’s box goes to the dogs with a new accessory package.
BY TONY QUIROGA, PHOTOGRAPHY BY PATRICK M. HOEY AND JORDAN BROWN March 2010
What Is It?
The Honda Element, a dream car for fans of cubism, with Honda’s new Dog Friendly accessory package. The Dog Friendly setup comes with a tent-like kennel with pet bed that fits in the cargo compartment, a ramp that allows the dog to easily climb into the back, a water bowl, a small electric fan to cool your friend in the cargo area, dog-bone-themed rubber mats, dog-patterned rear-seat covers, and a couple of unique exterior badges. Otherwise, our tester was a regular EX-grade Honda Element with all-wheel drive and an automatic transmission.

How Does It Drive?
Aside from the dog-accessory package, this is pretty much the same Element that Honda has been selling since 2003 and that we last tested in 2006, when it finished fourth in a four-way comparison test of boxy mini-haulers. Since then, the Element got a 10-hp bump and a slight aesthetic freshening in 2007. The 166-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder remains a bit noisy, and, mated to our tester’s five-speed automatic gearbox, is unwilling to accelerate the Element with much gusto—dare we say it’s a bit of a dog? The center of gravity is noticeably high and the huge flat sides make it especially sensitive to crosswinds. Wind noise around the upright windshield and a healthy dose of tire and road howl probably won’t turn off those who consider the Element a van. But we’ve always thought of the Element as a small SUV with funky bodywork, and in that light it’s beginning to feel a bit old and unrefined.

How Does It Stack Up?
The canine-inspired Element has no natural competition, as it’s the only vehicle setup on the market designed especially to cater to man’s best friend. Our canine tester—an ex-stray, beagle mix named Grady—however, didn’t seem to notice the Element’s dog-themed appearance despite our attempts to point it out to him; he seemed far more interested in a brace of ducks that were strutting nearby. When we did get his attention and asked him what he thought of the dog-bone rubber mats and the dog pattern adorning the rear seats, he looked at us with a blank stare followed by some minor whimpering. We set up the two-piece aluminum ramp that stows neatly under the kennel in the cargo compartment and tried to coax Grady to walk up the ramp. But having never used a ramp and being wholly unfamiliar with the intricacies and physics behind the inclined plane, Grady flatly refused to use it. We resorted to picking up his handsome 42-pound body and placing him inside. Once ensconced in the kennel, Grady did seem to appreciate the softness of the bed that fits neatly into the kennel, although he did jump out before we could zip him in. Grady’s nervous demeanor made it clear to us that his first choice for traveling by car remains the front-passenger footwell.

What’s the Cost?
Our test Element EX wore a $24,595 sticker price and is currently on sale at Honda dealers. Front-wheel-drive LX models start at $21,235 and adding the Dog Friendly package to any model costs $995, or roughly 10 times what Grady cost in 2003. If Grady had been more willing to use the Element’s many dog-themed features, we’d say that it would be worth it. Grady, however, didn’t seem interested or satisfied enough to justify the extra cost, meaning that just about any hatchback, wagon, or crossover would satisfy his needs. Then again, given Grady’s primary interests of smelling other dogs’ waste, eating, and going on walks—in that order—he may not be the most reliable or credible judge of car accessories. Start training your pup to use the Element as a young’un, though, and they may be more apt to embrace the package. Maybe.

Source;
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/10q1/2010_honda_element_ex_awd_with_dog_friendly_package-quick_spin

Honda Cars : Autoblog: LA Auto Show 2009, 2010 Dog Friendly Honda Element | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Honda certainly can't be accused of running a dog and pony show here at the LA Auto Show, because there were no ponies. They did, however, have the adorable Luna and Toby on hand to demonstrate their clever Dog Friendly system on this Honda Element. It's essentially a collapsible ramp and pup tent (couldn't resist) with tethers that keeps dogs secure in back while protecting the interior of your vehicle from stains and pet hair.

We've shown you this Dog Friendly setup before, but couldn't resist snapping a few pics of the system in action, especially now that it's available. The Dog Friendly package is available on any 2010 Honda Element model for an extra $995. besides the nylon kennel and ramp, the system includes a cushioned bed, a spill-proof water dish, a small 12-volt ventilation fan, seat covers for the second row, and rubber floor mats with a bone motif. Seems like a reasonable price for keeping one's pets safe and secure, especially considering it's a custom fit package from the people who actually build the vehicle itself.

Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/03/2010-honda-element-dog-friendly-los-angeles-2009/

Honda Cars : Honda US; Honda’s dog-friendly Element available next month | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

This is the US release date, I am not too sure whether we will see this kit in Canada. I will update as soon as I find out.
Honda’s first stateside attempt at attracting car-shopping dog lovers in one fell swoop is a month from being unleashed.

American Honda Motor Co. Inc. said Monday that its dog-accommodating Element is set to be available Nov. 16, about a month after the light truck’s 2010 model begins arriving at dealerships. Features on the dog-friendly model include a cushioned cargo bed area with safety restraints, second-row pet seating with restraints, a spill-resistant water bowl, special ventilation fans, bone and paw print-patterned floor mats and a retractable ramp to help animals get in and out of the vehicle.

Honda executives have said that if a buyer wants to buy the options, they will be added to the truck at dealerships, not on the production line.

The sticker price for the dog-friendly equipment is $995, Honda said. Next year’s model of the Element, which is assembled in East Liberty, starts at $20,525.

The effort to provide canine-friendly upgrades to the Element started in 2005 in Japan with the Wow, a wagon aimed at dog owners. In the United States, the Element previously was recognized as the Dog Car of the Year by Dogcars.com, which reviews vehicles and travel products for canines.

Source;
http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2009/10/12/daily1.html

Honda Cars : Honda Dog Friendly Element from the NY Auto Show | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Here's something that a few people have asked me about. "Fall 2009" sale date.

Honda Dog Friendly Element reveal from the Ny Auto Show
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Honda Cars : Dog-friendly Honda Element Concept Transforms SUV into Pet-hauling Champ | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

New dog transportation features turn Element into the alpha dog of pet travel

TORRANCE, Calif., U.S.A., April 8, 2009 - New dog-friendly transportation concepts designed for the Honda Element add canine-specific enhancements to one of the most dog-friendly vehicles available, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced at the New York International Auto Show.

Developed specifically for the Element, the Dog Friendly™ components demonstrate the potential for a dedicated pet restraint system designed to meet the needs of dog owners. A finalized version of the Dog Friendly Element is scheduled to debut this fall. Major components will likely include:

·a cushioned pet bed in the cargo area with an elevated platform;
·second row and cargo area pet restraint systems;
·an extendable cargo area load-in ramp;
·a 12V DC rear ventilation fan;
·second-row seat covers with a dog pattern design (matches the bed fabric);
·all-season rubber floor mats with a toy bone pattern;
·a spill-resistant water bowl; and
·Dog Friendly exterior emblems.

"In an interesting turn of events, cars are now chasing dogs," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda. "Factory integration of a cushioned pet bed, restraint systems and other components is intended to transform the Element into the ultimate dog car."

The Dog Friendly equipment, engineered specifically for the Element, is designed to accommodate the transportation of dogs in the second-row passenger seats or in the cargo area. The restraint system concepts were designed and fabricated by Takata Corporation, one of the world's leading automotive safety systems suppliers, exclusively for display on the Dog Friendly Honda Element concept vehicle. The restraint concepts are intended to complement the potential of the vehicle's existing restraint systems by helping to protect the dog and helping to prevent injuries to other vehicle occupants due to an unrestrained dog impacting them in a collision. For convenience, a ramp is included to help dogs access the rear cargo area. The ramp stores underneath the bed platform and can be conveniently accessed when the rear tailgate is down.

"In-vehicle pet restraints should be part of every dog owner's safe travel practices," said Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "The expanded availability of manufacturer-based restraints and features can help elevate pet comfort and convenience for owners. Good ventilation and access to water on longer trips should also be primary concerns."

The Element has long been recognized for its dog-friendly interior with an easy-to-clean urethane floor and expansive, flat cargo area (up to 74.6 cu-ft. with rear seats removed), wide-opening side cargo doors, low lift-in height, and accommodating dimensions for tall items. The consumer pet travel advice Web site, Dogcars.com, honored the 2007 Honda Element with its first-ever "Dog Car of the Year" award.

According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, Inc., 39 percent of all households own at least one dog with an estimated total U.S. dog population of 74.8 million. All pet purchases and related products and services comprise an estimated total market value of more than $43 billion (2008 est.).

Substantially restyled for the 2009 model year and available with new features, the Honda Element builds on its spacious and versatile SUV character with a more chiseled exterior appearance and a refreshed interior design. Three unique Element styles are available that range from the rugged and simple Element LX, to the more refined Element EX, to the sporty Element SC.

Powered by a 2.4-liter i-VTEC® 4-cylinder engine, the Element is available with either a 5-speed manual transmission (standard) or an available 5-speed automatic transmission. Available Real Time 4WD™ can enhance all-weather traction. The interior provides seating for up to four people along with a cargo area that adapts to large items with its flip-up rear seats that fold flat, fold up and to the side, or can be removed altogether (64-plus seating arrangements). The Element EX has a water resistant urethane-coated utility floor that wipes down for ease-of-cleaning and seat fabric that resists moisture.

For 2009, all Elements incorporate significant exterior styling changes that include new front grille and bumper designs, restyled front fenders (now metal, previously composite material), a new hood design, squared wheel arches, and new headlight and taillight configurations. Interior enhancements include revised dashboard color combinations with titanium-look side linings, new fabric patterns, and enhanced switchgear designs and instrument panel meter graphics. The Element EX exclusively adds a new convertible center console with a removable cooler/storage box.

Source;

http://world.honda.com/news/2009/4090408Dog-friendly-Honda-Element-Concept/

Honda Cars : Honda unveils “dog-friendly” Element | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Torrance, California - Honda has introduced several new dog-friendly transportation concepts designed for the Honda Element at the New York International Auto Show, adding to one of the most pet-friendly vehicles available.

Developed specifically for the Element, the Dog Friendly components demonstrate the potential for a dedicated pet restraint system designed to meet the needs of dog owners. A finalized version of the Dog Friendly Element is scheduled to debut this fall, and will likely include a cushioned pet bed in the cargo area, second-row and cargo area pet restraint systems, extendable load-in ramp, rear ventilation fan, second-row seat covers with dog pattern design, all-season rubber floor mats with toy bone pattern, spill-resistant water bowl, and Dog Friendly exterior emblems.

“In an interesting turn of events, cars are now chasing dogs,” said John Mendel, executive vice-president of American Honda. “Factory integration of a cushioned pet bed, restraint systems and other components are intended to transform the Element into the ultimate dog car.”
According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, 39 per cent of all U.S. households have at least one dog, with an estimated total dog population of 74.8 million across the country.
I am guessing that the Element add's will be more accomodating then this backseat.

Source;

http://www.canadiandriver.com/2009/04/08/honda-unveils-dog-friendly-element.htm