Sorry if this is a repost but This month's Road and Track has a good article comparing the xB and Honda Element. Pretty interesting...basically says the the Element is better for utility but the xB has better handling and styling.
Road and Track Magazine....check it out. :)

Well I think they are hardly comparable....

xB= compact wagon
Element= SUV w/ 4x2 or 4x4

xB= 2400lbs
Element= 3000+ lbs

The list Goes on! one thing I thought was funny, is the xB has more passenger space!!
The Element is DUMB because you have to open the front door to open the rears...

I just checked the Element specs and it weighs about 3500# and gets 21 mpg.

I just checked the Element specs and it weighs about 3500# and gets 21 mpg.

Yea just about 1000 pounds more than the xB

The Element is DUMB because you have to open the front door to open the rears...

Yeah, picture how "cool that is in a parking lot. Open the front door to open the rear. get your kid out of the back. Now you're trapped with a door on each side. Everyone shuffle forward to close the rear and then step out to close the front. Sounds practical to me.

I'd like to see an honst poll of how many Element owners really hose out their floorboards or go off-road or into an environment requiring 4x4...

I use the handling AND styling EVRYDAY... 8) 8) 8)

I am soooooo glad I didnt buy a Element...and decided on my green booger

hmm ..... I say go with the xB for the gas milleage, spacious, and value.

I am soooooo glad I didnt buy a Element..

I second that.

I am soooooo glad I didnt buy a Element..

I second that.


I almost bought it until I saw the xB the 2nd time at the Dallas Auto show they have at there State Fair every yr....then I finally made up my mind and went for the Scion...the rest is history

A buddy of mine who owns an Element stopped by today. He told me that his dealer "doesn't recommend" actually hosing out the interior. So, what's the point of advertising this feature if the dealer isn't recommending that you actually do it?

Bontster

I myself like the Xb better but only because it suites ME better. I don't think it's necessary to say that one model is better then the other. The XB is an urban cruiser. I consider it a hatchback(sorta) 4 doors, no trunk space, but very spacious passenger room.

The element I consider an compact SUV. It is physically larger, comes in a 4 wheel drive option, and has more trunk space. Each has a target market and a purpose. Do you see any Xb's trying to manuever in sand at the beach?! lol just as well, do you see people struggling to get out of the back seat of an Xb?

Each have their pro's and con's. I just wish alot of people would understand they are 2 different vehicles and the BEST vehicle is the one that suits YOU best :roll: ! thanks

-Rafael

I myself like the Xb better but only because it suites ME better. I don't think it's necessary to say that one model is better then the other. The XB is an urban cruiser. I consider it a hatchback(sorta) 4 doors, no trunk space, but very spacious passenger room.

The element I consider an compact SUV. It is physically larger, comes in a 4 wheel drive option, and has more trunk space. Each has a target market and a purpose. Do you see any Xb's trying to manuever in sand at the beach?! lol just as well, do you see people struggling to get out of the back seat of an Xb?

Each have their pro's and con's. I just wish alot of people would understand they are 2 different vehicles and the BEST vehicle is the one that suits YOU best :roll: ! thanks

-Rafael


The xB is better....hahaha I am unnecessary (from his first paragraph)

Yeah, picture how "cool that is in a parking lot. Open the front door to open the rear. get your kid out of the back. Now you're trapped with a door on each side. Everyone shuffle forward to close the rear and then step out to close the front. Sounds practical to me.

That is precisely what happened with my family when we test-drove the Element. We decided that the CRV was a better choice, but luckily the xB came along before we bought the CRV.

[quote="TheScionicMan"] I'd like to see an honst poll of how many Element owners really hose out their floorboards or go off-road or into an environment requiring 4x4...[quote]

Well, that off-roading had better be cautious, as the Element has 6.9 inches of ground clearance. Our low-slung xBs have 6.1 inches, but no off-road pretensions!

The "hose out" interior really isn't, as the speakers are very close to the floor, and they aren't waterproof. I think that "sponge out" would be a better term.

George

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6828&highlight=element

They're two different vehicles for two different types of people.

I'd get the element if I was into many outdoor activities, planned on going off road (Element has AWD available), and planned on getting the interior of my vehicle dirty. That's what the element is for - the interior can practically be sprayed out with a hose, there's body cladding on the outside because paint would get scratched up. It's a very utilitarian vehicle, offering more horsepower and torque the the xB, more interior room, and a better transmission than Toyota could ever WISH to build.

The xB is a vehicle for people who value space, but don't plan on driving their car on the beach or off road. It's small, has a lower price, much smaller engine (although it's pretty light), and more standard features than the Element. What we sacrifice in size we get back in option, what the element sacrifices in options it makes up in sheer size. It's marketed as a tuner car, touting it the amount of customization that's available from the factory and in aftermarket accessories.

Two different cars marketed to two different types of people. Don't knock on it if it doesn't appeal to you, the Element and xB are both great cars. Unfortunately, some people around here feel as if some rivalry should exist, creating zealous hatred of the other :roll:

And to Jatt - where did you get your theory on better resale value?!?? We're talking about freakin' Honda and Toyotas - two brands that have nearly equal residual value percentages - both are amoung the highest in the industry. That's like saying that a Honda is going to be unreliable, so you should buy a Toyota! :roll:

[/u]

it's a box car, with alterations

A buddy of mine who owns an Element stopped by today. He told me that his dealer "doesn't recommend" actually hosing out the interior. So, what's the point of advertising this feature if the dealer isn't recommending that you actually do it?

Bontster

the dealer told me the same. there is no drain plug either. just another gimick. the same can be said of the xb. the brochure said the second row seats are removable. yeah, with a wrench!!!

yes very true

Yeah, picture how "cool that is in a parking lot. Open the front door to open the rear. get your kid out of the back. Now you're trapped with a door on each side. Everyone shuffle forward to close the rear and then step out to close the front. Sounds practical to me.

got a good little laught out of that...picturing a parent and a couple of kids
**shuffle shuffle, move, shuffle shuffle, move**
:lol: :lol: :lol:

they are both aimed at the younger generation. difference, toyota did it right and honda horribly failed at it. Another note, you notice the xb and element have basicly the same color options.

they are both aimed at the younger generation. difference, toyota did it right and honda horribly failed at it. Another note, you notice the xb and element have basicly the same color options.

With one very important difference (to those of us who live in hot country): you can get an xB in white!

The xB was purpose-designed in Japan to be a urban runabout. The Element was designed by an American design staff to be... what? Kind of like the 2-box cars that were so popular in Japan, kind of like a Jeep utility vehicle, but with kewl, but somewhat impractical features like the suicide doors and sunroof in the rear (only).


The first priority was to keep it cheap, which is why it has the "non-off-road" CRV drivetrain, the Accord engine, and various other compromises. When I was considering an Element, I came across an article on-line from an automobile design publication. It described some of the cost-cutting moves that Honda went through to get the MSRP down to 16,100. Lots of parts were adapted from other models, some corrosion-proofing was omitted, and finally they took off the radio and A/C to get to the target price. I wonder if any Elements have actually been sold in the "stripped" version?

Yes, my Buddy works at HONDA- I saw a "stripped" version- A LX 2WD. No Radio!! just had a panel over it- no a/c...GEEZ!

Yes, my Buddy works at HONDA- I saw a "stripped" version- A LX 2WD. No Radio!! just had a panel over it- no a/c...GEEZ!

Someday, that "panel over the radio" will be a coveted rare part. Check out the prices of radio block-off plates for early VWs! :)

The element had a better interior for camping/sleeping in the car. But I didn't feel comfortable driving it, the visability wasn't good for the side and I felt that the car wasn't tight to the road, I felt like it would tip over at any moment.

I actually got to see an Element up close and personal. Went to a bday party and my friend had one. I didn't like it before I saw it, but I have a different view of it now. I love my xB and all...but the Element is some crazy ____. Seems bigger, wider. The dash set up is pretty nice. Back seats seem better than the xB's. More spacious, giving it that chill out mode look.. Button down sun-roof and the doors are pretty cool...

But yeah... anways...

ya well beings that the Element is about 4 k ( comparably equipped) more than the xB- Ill keep mine! Just wish I dint have a 8 inch gash in my windshield!!