2011 Honda Element, Honda drops the Element's SC trim, resulting in a streamlined model lineup with LX and EX trims only. Honda says 2011 will be the Element's final year before it's discontinued. Aside from losing the sporty SC model and EX-only navigation option, the 2011 Honda Element carries over with no content changes. Loading cargo is a breeze thanks to the Element's swing-out rear doors and rear seats that can either be flipped up or removed. The 2011 Honda Element is a compact crossover SUV available in two trim levels: LX and EX. The Dog Friendly dealer-installed accessory package adds a rear car kennel, a pet bed, a stowable ramp, dog-patterned seat covers, all-season floor mats, a spill-resistant water bowl, an electric fan and a bag dispenser.
Front-wheel drive is standard, while all-wheel drive is available on both the LX and EX trim levels. The AWD version of the Element offers slightly worse mpg at 19/24/21. Safety The Honda Element comes standard with antilock disc brakes with brake assist, stability control, traction control, active front head restraints, front side-impact airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. The Honda Element's cabin design is purposeful but compromised by trade-offs. On the plus side, the Element's theater-style seating layout offers rear passengers generous room and exceptional views. With the Element's rear seats removed, there's an impressive 75 cubic feet of space available. While 4WD enthusiasts will insist on adding the Real Time 4WD, the test ride for the 2WD version of the 2011 Honda Element SC model offered faster steering, a comfortably-low ride height, and a stiffer suspension for the best ride along with the larger 18-inch wheel and tire combination. Performance The 2011 Honda Element offers plenty of power for its size with a 2.4 liter, 16-valve DOHC i-VTEC engine that features an aluminum-alloy block and head. The Control-Link Macpherson strut front suspension offers a smooth ride and precise steering. Interior Features The interior of the 2011 Honda Element is all about function. Front-wheel drive should be standard, but all-wheel drive should be available as an option. The 2011 Honda Element provides an affordable option for drivers who require a substantial amount of space and flexible seating options at an affordable price. Adding the optional 4WD feature adds even more value to this Honda.
Keyless entry, cruise control and an iPod/USB audio interface.The 2011 Honda Fit used to be a no-brainer. By relocating the gas tank under the front seats, Honda created a perfectly flat load floor with the rear seats folded down, opening an incredible cargo space of 57 cubic feet. The 2011 Honda Fit is a subcompact four-door hatchback available in base and Sport trim levels. The Fit Sport adds 16-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, a sport body kit, shift paddles (automatic transmission only), foglights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, map lights and a six-speaker sound system. A navigation system with touchscreen interface, voice controls, a digital audio card reader and steering-wheel audio controls is an available option for the Fit.The 2011 Honda Fit is powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder good for 117 horsepower and 106 pound-feet of torque. The latter gets manual-override shift paddles in the Fit Sport. A base Fit with the automatic required a snooze-inducing 11 seconds. The manual-transmission Fit returns an EPA-estimated 27 mpg city/33 mpg highway and 29 mpg combined. The Fit Sport automatic returns the same. Every 2011 Honda Fit comes standard with stability and traction control, antilock brakes (front disc, rear drum), front side airbags, side curtain airbags and active front head restraints. The Fit has not been rated using the government's new, more strenuous 2011 crash-testing procedures. Driving ImpressionsThe manual transmission model takes full advantage of the Fit's engaging personality, though the Fit Sport's available automatic with shift paddles is a viable alternative. Honda Fit - What the Auto Press SaysThe 2011 Honda Fit ranks 2 out of 33 Affordable Small Cars. The 2011 Honda Fit is a press favorite and has received numerous accolades from the automotive industry. Of course, the Fit isn’t perfect. One of the most prominent reviewer complaints concerns the Fit’s buzzy engine. Other Cars to Consider:The Fit’s biggest drawback is its price. The Fit’s price is average for hatchbacks. Other hatchbacks on the market include the Ford Fiesta hatchback, which starts at $15,120, just a 20 bucks more than the 2011 Honda Fit. Kia is also introducing the Forte Five-door Hatchback. You can also save money by looking at used 2009 Fits and 2010 Fits still on dealer lots.
There is a new base model for the 2011 Honda Insight, which drops the base price along with several features. All Insights now come standard with stability control. When it debuted last year, the Honda Insight took on the Toyota Prius. Next comes the driving experience. Certainly, there are some upsides to the 2011 Honda Insight. The 2011 Honda Insight is available in three trim levels: base, LX and EX. The EX adds 15-inch alloy wheels, heated mirrors, steering wheel shift paddles, steering wheel audio controls, vanity mirrors and six speakers. The 2011 Honda Insight's hybrid system consists of a 1.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor paired with a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 40 mpg city/43 mpg highway and 41 mpg combined. Safety
Every 2011 Honda Insight comes standard with stability and traction control, antilock brakes (front disc, rear drum), brake assist, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and active front head restraints. In Edmunds brake testing, the Insight came to a stop from 60 mph in 125 feet -- a good distance for a compact hybrid. The Insight has not been rated using the government's new, more strenuous 2011 crash-testing procedures. In side-impact tests, the Insight received five stars for the driver and four stars for rear passengers. Regardless of trim level, the Insight lacks rear seat headroom; it's tight even for those of average height. Driving Impressions As a hybrid, the 2011 Honda Insight delivers on the promise of miserly fuel economy. Thanks to responsive steering and relatively sporty suspension tuning, the Honda Insight is more fun and responsive to drive that a Prius. When the current Honda Insight was introduced in March 2009 as a 2010 model it was hailed as the “Toyota Prius fighter.” With around $1,500 difference in price, combined with the Prius’s 51 mpg city and 48 highway versus the Insight’s 40 city/43 highway, the projected Insight sales of 70,000 per year hasn’t happened. Ower Price Model, More Features For 2011 To be more competitive and jump start the sluggish sales, Honda has added a new entry-level Insight hybrid model to its 2011 lineup. Priced at $18,200 ($1,600 less than the lowest priced 2010 model) gives it a walloping $4,610 price advantage over the base Toyota Prius II. Topping the Insight lineup is the EX with a window sticker of $21,490. The differences between the 2011 Honda Insight and the 2011 Toyota Prius, can be easily summarized: The Insight is thousands of dollars cheaper, gets comparable fuel economy, has a crisper look and provides a more agile and enjoyable ride. The dashboard of the Insight looks like a blending of the Honda Civic and Honda Fit. The hybrid heart of the system is the fifth generation of Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system. Just as Ford has done with the new Fusion hybrid, Honda has updated the Insight's battery, making it smaller and lighter. While the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius are similar in looks, auto critics seem to favor the Insight. About the Insight’s cabin, Kelly Blue Book commented, “Inside, the Insight’s unique design offers a mixed bag of elements where positives outweigh
Negatives.” Driver Controls and Feedback, For Max MPG Our take is Insight drives quite differently than the Prius. Despite any misgivings with the Honda Insight, hybrid fans should celebrate a viable alternative to the Toyota Prius.
