Honda Element MPG by year — every rating on record

The Honda Element has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 9 model years, from 2003 to 2011. Across those years its best rated version returned 22 mpg (2007) and its thirstiest returned 20 mpg (2003). The EPA record holds 35 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD / Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD.

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Honda Element placed highest in 2004 at #8 of 60, and lowest in 2011 at #26 of 78. It spent 9 of its 9 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 35 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 1 of 1 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

What Element fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2011 Honda Element burns 523 to 575 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.

EPA’s own estimate for the 2011 model year is $2,850 to $3,100 a year in fuel, or $3,000 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

Across the 219 nameplates EPA classifies as Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD, the median best combined rating is 21 mpg. At 22 mpg the Honda Element is 1 mpg better the median, which is worth about $87 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

• All Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.

Other Honda nameplates

Every Honda model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.