2003 Honda Element -- Interior

Versatile and durable worry-free interior combines utility floor, vast cargo zone, refined feel and modern trim

Overview
Much of the 2003 Honda Element's functionality comes from an interior designed to support a dynamic and active lifestyle by combining the best traits of a pickup truck, SUV and cargo van. Its wide-open interior space, unique door openings and the overall shape fit a wide variety of sports equipment and large items. Meanwhile, durable seat and floor materials facilitate worry-free operation with no carpeting or delicate fabrics to protect from mud or the loading of equipment. Plus, the interior cleans up easy and fast.

The interior of the 2003 Honda Element serves four distinct missions:

• Everyday driving and people hauling comfort
• Cargo hauling that adapts quickly to large, bulky items
• Base camp functionality/social atmosphere
• Interior sleep capability

Key Design Features:

• Hard flat utility floor
• Waterproof seating fabric
• Versatile seating arrangements (64+)
• Bold instrument panel styling
• Multiple storage pockets and cargo hooks
• Instrument panel-mounted gear shifter
• Two-tone exterior matched instrument panel trim

Trim Levels
Element is available in two trim levels -the base model DX designed for the purchaser to configure the vehicle exactly to their taste and the more fully featured EX. On the DX, features such as air conditioning, audio system, armrests and other amenities can be added at the time of purchase. The DX offers an ideal platform for custom mobile electronics and other personalization. The EX trim level provides popular features including a premium audio unit with subwoofer and inputs for digital audio sources like an external MP3 player.

Standard Interior Equipment

* Fabric for Extreme Conditions

Modern Instrument Panel with Retro Style Meters
The instrument panel and meters demonstrate a unique styling direction for Honda with both modern and retro cues integrated into a bold exterior color-coordinated two-tone instrument panel. Inspired by a 3-D beveled wristwatch design, the speedometer, tachometer, engine temperature and fuel meters feature a classic design that's easy to read. The 3-D lens design creates an anti-glare surface.

Heating and air conditioning controls feature large knobs and are glove friendly. The two-tone instrument panel uses blue, silver or green accents coordinated appropriately with the interior color. The gear shift lever is mounted on the center of the instrument panel on both automatic and manual transmission models, saving space and creating a sporty feel with quick reaches between the steering wheel and gear shifter.

Seating Versatility
Element's four seats fold into a variety of positions ranging from a standard upright configuration to completely flat to the rear seats removed. When the seats are upright, Element carries four occupants including the driver. The reclining front seats feature easy-to-clean waterproof material (G), and seats slide forward and back by a whopping 11 inches to accommodate drivers of all sizes. EX models add a driver seat armrest, seatback bungee loops on driver's side front and rear seats, net pockets on passenger seat and waterproof rear seat fabric (instead of vinyl fabric). The removable flip-up rear seats feature a 50/50 split and recline independently. To facilitate cargo, the seats fold up and latch to the side with carabiner hooks or can be removed completely. All seats fold down to create a "lounge," which is just right for snoozing. The space between the front seats allows for a "walk through" between front and rear seats when the vehicle is stationary.

Urethane-Coated Utility Floor
Designed to be "worry-free," the pick-up style floor is constructed of Thermoplastic Olefin (TPO) Topcoat™, a highly scratch resistant yet grippy material and is coated with urethane for extra toughness. The material performs well against the sharp edges of snowboards, bikes and other gear. The utility floor (H) can be swept with a broom or wiped out with a wet cloth. The floor is water resistant, making it easy to clean up spills. Great care has been taken to isolate all low mounted electronics from moisture. The spare tire is located underneath the floor behind the rear seats. The square cover for the spare tire (41.6 x 29.4 x 26 inches, L x W x H) can be used as a table when removed by adding Honda Accessory table legs.

Equipment Hauling Targets
Designed to accommodate a wide variety of lifestyle modules and hold them firmly in place with a system of six cargo hooks, Element interior engineers bench-marked the following large sports gear and apartment/dorm room items. Some items can fit underneath the seats and still carry a full passenger load, while others require reclining or re-configuring the seats. If more storage is needed, an accessory roof rack is available.

Audio System
The high-output audio system in the EX trim level delivers dynamic, rich, loud sound and features: AM/FM tuner, CD player, auxiliary audio input for MP3 or digital devices, seven speakers including one Dynamic Linear Phase (DLP) 6.5-inch subwoofer located in the bottom center of the instrument panel, all powered by a 270-Watt amplifier. The DLP technology allows the 6.5-inch subwoofer to produce sound similar to a 10-inch subwoofer. Subwoofer response can be adjusted. For comparisons sake, the bass is eight-times louder than a Civic EX coupe audio system (which does not have subwoofer).

DX models, which come with no audio unit and no speakers, provide a pre-wired 2DIN slot for audio system additions at the dealership or through the aftermarket. The audio pre-wiring includes a standard wiring harness (powered) that runs to the speaker ports and to a roof-mounted antenna. An accessory multi-media player is available that can play Windows™ format and MP3 music files.

Plenty of Storage
Numerous storage bins and cupholders provide places for cell phones, CDs, super-size drinks and wet clothing. Storage areas include: five cupholders (A), low-profile floor console tray (B) between the front seats in the pass through, a large three-bin tray © above the glove box (perfect for cell phones and PDAs), an overhead storage bin (D) designed to hold a CD wallet (EX), seat back storage including bungee cord (E) on back of the driver's seat (EX accessory), six hooks for strapping down bikes or other bulky gear, and door storage pockets (F) on all four doors and behind the rear seats. The space occupied by the instrument panel-mounted subwoofer on EX models is utilized as a storage bin on DX models.

Air Conditioning
Element's heating and cooling system features high volume air output for quick cool down and large vents that minimize the loud "rushing air" noise that some systems create. The large vent design allows for high airflow with low wind noise and 360 degrees of flow direction control. The air conditioning unit has been optimized for ultra-quick interior cool down.

Interior Accessories