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/shifter than Toyota has ever offered.

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

I guess being a car enthusiast, I tend to appreciate all cars for what they are. I don't have any blind fanatacism for brands, I appreciate vehicles based on their features and how much they appeal to me. It's too often that I log on to the xB and tC forums and see so much animosity for vehicles that compete with the Scion lineup. Even worse when you get to the tC forum and see opinions on the RSX, etc.

So much FUD gets thrown around, as if these trivial things matter in life. People - they're cars! Appreciate a vehicle for how it appeals to you - and vote with your wallet. If someone likes another vehicle for another reason, why can't that be acceptable? There's nothing wrong with giving props to the competition.

There's no reason to put others down in the event when their opinion or product conflicts with yours ;)

 

I just think it's hideous and they are slower than my car so that's a small pick me up. one thing i do like is the configuration/ options with the seats and how they fold.

 

I would have to agree. Frankly, don't really care if some does or doesn't like the car - or one of my cars - or anything else for that matter.

I think most of the dim ones who get wierd about it seem to think it's the same car more or less.. and it's not. A fairer comparison would be the Nissan Cube when it arrives. But even then... WHY? who cares. It's just a car.

To be fair to some of the xB owners though, a lot of the 'hatred' I've seen actually comes from Element people directed at xB people, usually with the poorly informed accusation of "they copied us!" (even the xB is an older design).

It's a car, not a solution to world peace and hunger. No one cares.

 

i personally own 1 of each. A Scion XB and a Honda Element EX. I personally like the Scion better because you can whip it into tight spaces and it handles better. But the Element suspension is a lot smoother and it has a ton more power. They both look cool i think. I have wheels,intakes,t.v.'s,and stereo's in both. so they both get stares. my friends make fun off me saying i did not know what TOASTER i wanted so i bought both. But i love them both so i do not care.

 

I don't really understand the animosity between the two; I test drove both. My husband liked the size/features of the Element better, but I had to have the xB for the gas mileage... and I love it! But I wish I could understand why so many people seem to hate the xB. I live near L.A. and seems like people are always trying to get on my a** and cut me off on the freeway. Then they realize they're being a jerk to a girl and they back off... Anyway, I've had my box for a month now, just went over 1K miles, and I'm sooooo happy!

 

I couldn't care less what anyone else drives, except for the fact that honkin' big SUV road pigs tick me off. However, I am relieved that the Xb, unlike the Element and the PT Cruiser, haven't become associated with soccer moms.

 

I agree totally w/ mr. data here. I happen to like both of them. Ive even looking at other cars besides the xb... (any comments on other cars are welcome in pm's)... the element looks nice. so does the xb. The xb has almost no curves on the vehicle while the element does. Different cars for different ppl.

 

I like the xb and the element. I think the idea of having a plastic floor is great, easy to clean, great for kids, etc..I also like the element styling+ Honda reliability, etc...I just didn't want to make a larger car payment, so that was the big deciding factor between the two.

 

I just think the Element is not as attractive as the Xb...the thing that cracks me up is that it reminds me of the Ford Vs. Chevy type of deal.

 

Yeah, I've been scrounging the net looking for a logo of Calvin ____ing on a Honda.

 

Definitely not local, but have you seen this?

http://www.stickerland.nl/product_in...ee280f3dfc4585

Edit: NM, here's another one (yes, I'm bored right now.):

http://www.sign-fx.com.au/catalog/Pe...cal,+30cmx30cm

But that one's in Australia. Oh well.

 

rofl... I'm SOOOO tempted to get one. The rednecks around here all have those on their trucks. My friends would laugh...

 

Good thread in right directions! Early on I had my eye more on the Element. Next I went to look at one on a showroom floor. It was relatively hard to get into it. It felt cramped in the driver's seat (but I'm not large). The blind spots were substantial. Passenger room did seem smaller. I loved the flooring and will duplicate this into the seatless rear of my new xB (probably)

yes, a different car not nearly so street-tunable as the xB. There should not be any such rancor over distant-cousin cars. And it's not a focus for goodness' sake!

good thread keep it going.

 

Well, get rid of those plastic panels and put something like this and the element has my vote.





I think it's a worthy rival of some recognition. The xB does have better "people" space I have to agree for the taller person.

 

those are bad a$$..diff strokes for diff folks

 

My wife and I both testdrove the Element immediately before testing the xB. The dealers are across the street from each other. We both concluded that the Element drives like a top-heavy, short wheelbase SUV, while the xB drives like a car. As I was buying the car to drive on the highway, we bought the xB.

 

Besides being boxes, the xB and the Element are completely different.

 

Good to know you got the general point of my original post ;)

 

I have an Element too.

 

I'm not a Soccer Mom...Im my KIDS' MOM so I have an xB!