2010 Honda Element with Dog Friendly Package
“You may say I’m a Dreamer/But I’m Not the Only One/I hope Someday You Will Join Us/And the World Will Live as One.” –John Lennon “Imagine”
Revolutions can come in many forms but it is usually the small ones that are the most lasting and effective. Sort of the “act locally, affect globally” concept. This is the same concept that the all new Dog Friendly Package in the 2010 Honda Element is based upon. By focusing their sights on the health and well being of our canine four legged friends Honda Motor Company truly is spreading love on a local and global scale.
If notorious pacifist John Lennon were ever to be reincarnated as a car it would no doubt be a 2010 Honda Element with Dog Friendly Package. In fact, he would probably come back as the orange hued Honda Element EX 4WD model that I am currently testing. This car is so orange I keep half expecting to see the Partridge Family singing in the back seat each time I look in the rear view mirror. The color does totally suit the happy and fun character of this car/box/crossover, however.
Available only on EX models (because the rear seat doggie cooling fan uses one of the rear power plugs that only come on EX models), the Dog Friendly Package is installed by dealers and includes features like a built in dog crate designed by the same company that designs seat belts for Honda. This soft mesh crate is easily removable with the click of a few snaps to free up cargo space and is made of a material that softens the impact forces on a dog’s body in the event of a crash.
Honda looked into installing harnesses for the seat belts but found that these harnesses did not spread the impact force sufficiently to ensure the crash safety of a dog. If Honda puts that much thought into how safe your dog is imagine how safe you must be in your average Accord? No wonder their cars always score so highly in crash tests.
The Dog Friendly Package costs $995 but the crate is not the only thing you get for your money. There is also a built in, spill proof water bowl by the dog bone logo embossed bed in the mesh crate, a lightweight ramp that conveniently stores right under the crate, the aforementioned doggie cooling fan by the crate, special removable (and machine washable) dog bone logo seat covers and lastly a Dog Package tote bag replete with leash, collar and Dog Package “waste bag” dispenser. If you are wondering if the dog bowl really is spill proof I just filled it up and tried my very best to make it spill on a winding road near my home. Not a drop spilled so I am now pretty convinced that Honda engineers are practitioners of some form of black magic.
That brings us to the next most amazing feature of the 2010 Honda Element with Dog Friendly Package. Despite all of the additional “stuff” attached to the inside there is nary a rattle or squeak and this thing is way more fun on a twisty two lane than it has any right to be. The steering is precise and body roll is kept to a minimum yet the ride is very compliant over bumps and crests. Yet again I blame that same old Honda black magic. Unlike most “boxes on wheels” the Honda Element is actually fun to drive.
The interior of the Element has a rubber, dog bone embossed floor that can allegedly be hosed out (perfect for sandy dogs or wetsuits) and features a center console that doubles as a removable cooler (I definitely plan on using the cooleer during an upcoming road trip to Palm Springs). My favorite storage solution, however, is the row of overhead sunglass/wallet/cell phone holders that descend from the ceiling. I don’t know if they were designed to hold these things but that is what I am using them for.
The 2010 Element is powered by a 166 horsepower 2.4 liter 4 cylinder engine that has plenty of power for most any situation and never gets too vocal. Quietness is not something that is usually attributable to larger 4 cylinder engines but this motor is not only smooth but when pushed it actually make a bit of a growl that is very pleasing to the ear. The five speed automatic, as is true of most Honda self-shifters, is near telepathic in its ability to pick the right gear. To cut it short, the Element never feels underpowered even with two near 80 pound boxer dogs sharing the back seat.
Those Honda engineers, they may be dreamers but I know I am not the only one who is grateful that they are so inclined. This Dog Friendly Package is so brilliant I see no reason why it could not be offered on the CR-V, Pilot, Odyssey, Acura MDX and other future Honda products. So dog lovers, head on down to your local Honda dealer and start the dog safety revolution by ordering a 2010 Element with the Dog Friendly Package.
2010 Honda Element EX 4WD: ($23,885)
(Dog Friendly Package (Dealer Installed): $995 additional)
Engine: (2.4 liter 166 horsepower 4 cylinder)
Economy: (19 city/24 highway)
0-60: (About 10 Seconds with automatic)
