The Honda Element Is Coming Back — and It's Bringing a Hybrid Powertrain
If you were one of the many devoted fans who mourned the Honda Element when it was discontinued back in 2011, your patience is finally being rewarded. According to a report from Automotive News, Honda is officially reviving the iconic boxy compact as a hybrid crossover SUV, with production expected to begin in 2029. Yes, the box is back — and this time, it's coming with modern powertrain technology and serious sales ambitions to match.
The announcement has sent waves of excitement through the Honda community, reigniting nostalgia for a vehicle that was genuinely unlike anything else on the road during its generation. With the automotive industry rapidly shifting toward electrification and crossover dominance, the timing of the Element's return couldn't feel more strategically calculated. Here's a full breakdown of everything we know so far about the 2029 Honda Element hybrid.
What We Know About the 2029 Honda Element
A Hybrid Powertrain at Its Core
The most significant update to the revived Element is under the hood. Honda is bringing the new model back as a hybrid crossover, aligning it with the company's broader strategic pivot away from full battery-electric vehicles. Rather than going all-in on EVs — a direction Honda recently walked back after canceling its Zero Series EV lineup and absorbing losses of up to $7.5 billion — the automaker has publicly committed to making hybrids the core of its business going forward.
This shift isn't just marketing language. Honda is developing a new clean-sheet hybrid system designed specifically for its next generation of SUVs and crossovers. The 2029 Element is expected to benefit directly from this technology, giving it a modern, efficient powertrain that pairs well with the vehicle's practical, adventure-ready character. For drivers who want sustainability without the range anxiety associated with full EVs, a hybrid Element could be an incredibly appealing package.
Built Right Here in the United States
Honda has confirmed that production of the new Element will take place in Central Ohio, with manufacturing expected to commence in the second quarter of 2029. This is the same facility that was originally intended to build Honda's now-canceled Zero Series electric vehicles. Rather than letting that production capacity sit idle, Honda is repurposing the plant to support its hybrid-focused future — and the Element is set to be a flagship product of that transition.
For American consumers and policy watchers alike, the fact that the Element will be US-built carries real weight. Domestic manufacturing supports local jobs, potentially insulates the model from import tariffs, and gives Honda a strong "built in America" story to tell in a competitive and increasingly trade-sensitive market.
Where Does the Element Fit in Honda's Lineup?
Honda's crossover lineup is about to get a lot more crowded — and more interesting. The new Element is expected to slot between the subcompact HR-V and the midsize CR-V, filling a gap in the market for buyers who want something a bit more spacious and rugged than the HR-V but don't quite need the full size of the CR-V.
This positioning makes a lot of sense when you think about the original Element's appeal. It was never a luxury vehicle or a performance machine. It was a go-anywhere, load-anything, hose-it-out-when-you're-done kind of vehicle. Targeting the space between the HR-V and CR-V suggests Honda wants to recapture that same practical, lifestyle-oriented audience — outdoor enthusiasts, young families, tradespeople, and anyone who values function over form.
With the Ford Bronco Sport pulling in around 135,000 units in sales in 2025, there's clearly a healthy appetite for rugged-but-approachable compact crossovers. Honda is apparently well aware of this, with internal targets reportedly set at nearly 100,000 units in the first full year of production. That's an ambitious goal, but given the Element's cult following and the broader trend toward adventure-capable crossovers, it's not an unrealistic one.
Why the Honda Element Still Resonates Today
It's worth pausing to appreciate just how much love the original Honda Element still generates more than a decade after it left showrooms. The vehicle had a polarizing design — its boxy shape, clamshell doors, and washable interior were either brilliantly practical or deeply ugly, depending on who you asked. But that polarization was also its superpower. The Element stood for something. It had a point of view.
In an era where most crossovers are nearly indistinguishable from one another, the Element's return could be a genuine breath of fresh air. Buyers are increasingly seeking out vehicles with personality, and Honda has a rare opportunity to deliver exactly that while also wrapping it in a fuel-efficient, American-made hybrid package.
Honda's Broader Hybrid Strategy
The Element revival is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. Honda's decision to double down on hybrid technology rather than chasing full electrification at all costs reflects a growing industry-wide recalibration. Consumers have shown that while interest in EVs is real, widespread adoption still faces meaningful barriers — from charging infrastructure to upfront costs. Hybrids sit in a practical sweet spot, offering meaningful fuel savings and reduced emissions without requiring any behavioral change from the driver.
Honda's new hybrid platform, developed from the ground up for its next generation of SUVs, positions the brand well for the mid-2020s through the 2030s. With the Element anchoring the compact crossover segment of this hybrid push, Honda is betting that smart, practical, and efficient is the winning formula.
Final Thoughts: Mark Your Calendar for 2029
The Honda Element's return is one of the most exciting automotive revival stories in recent memory. A hybrid powertrain, US-based production, a smart lineup position between the HR-V and CR-V, and ambitious sales targets all point to Honda treating this as a serious, long-term investment rather than a nostalgic cash-grab. If the automaker can capture even a fraction of the passion that original Element owners still carry for their beloved boxy wagons, the 2029 model has everything it needs to become one of Honda's most important vehicles in a generation. Stay tuned — 2029 can't come soon enough.