2005 Honda Element EX

The Element is Honda's boxy, utilitarian SUV, a direct answer to the Scion xB and the old-school Jeep Cherokee. It drives more like a truck than a typical Honda, with a firm ride and a tall seating position that gives you a great view of the road. The cabin is a wash-and-wear plastic wonderland, with rear seats that fold flat against the walls or lift out entirely to turn the back into a flatbed. You can haul a full-size mattress or a pile of bikes with the seats stowed, and the rear doors open wide for easy loading. The EX sits above the LX, adding alloy wheels, power windows and locks, and a CD player, while the AWD version gives you traction on snow and dirt. Its 2.4L I4 makes 160 horsepower and 161 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic and all-wheel drive that returns 20 mpg combined. The EX comes with a standard moonroof, and the AWD model's rear suspension is tuned for a slightly firmer ride to handle rough roads.