The Honda Element Is Coming Back — and It's Going Hybrid
If you've spent the last decade quietly mourning the loss of Honda's most personality-packed SUV, good news is finally here. According to a report from Automotive News, the Honda Element is officially making a comeback — and it's arriving in 2029 as a hybrid crossover built right here in the United States. The boxy icon that won over a generation of outdoor enthusiasts, dog owners, and college students is set for a full-blown revival, this time with modern hybrid technology and serious sales ambitions to match.
What We Know About the 2029 Honda Element
The details are still emerging, but what's been reported so far paints a compelling picture. Honda is targeting nearly 100,000 sales in the new Element's first full year of production — a figure that puts it squarely in competition with some of the most popular compact crossovers on the market. For context, that target falls only about 35,000 units short of what the Ford Bronco Sport moved in 2025, signaling that Honda sees this as a mainstream volume vehicle, not a niche revival.
Production of the new Element is expected to kick off in Central Ohio in the second quarter of 2029. The Ohio plant was previously earmarked for Honda's now-cancelled Zero Series electric vehicles, a program the automaker abandoned at considerable cost — reportedly up to $7.5 billion in losses. Rather than letting that Ohio manufacturing capacity go to waste, Honda is pivoting toward hybrid production, and the Element appears to be one of the flagship models to benefit from that strategic shift.
Where Does the New Element Fit in Honda's Lineup?
The returning Element is expected to slot between the HR-V and the CR-V in Honda's crossover SUV lineup. That's a smart positioning move. The HR-V serves buyers looking for a smaller, more affordable entry point, while the CR-V targets families who need more space and practicality. The Element would occupy a distinct middle ground — likely offering a more rugged, lifestyle-oriented identity that differentiates it from both neighbors on the showroom floor.
Honda's US showrooms are about to get considerably busier with small crossover options, but if the original Element's devoted fanbase is any indication, there's a clear appetite for something that stands out from the crowd. The original model ran from 2003 to 2011 and built a cult following precisely because it didn't look or feel like everything else on the road. The challenge — and the opportunity — for Honda will be recapturing that spirit while meeting the expectations of a modern buyer.
Honda's Big Bet on Hybrids
The Element revival is part of a much broader strategic realignment at Honda. After stepping back from its aggressive all-electric push, Honda has declared that hybrids will now form the core of its business going forward. The automaker is developing a new clean-sheet hybrid powertrain — reportedly including a new V6 hybrid system — specifically designed for its next generation of SUVs and larger vehicles.
This isn't a half-hearted hedge. Honda is committing significant engineering and manufacturing resources to hybrid technology as the most practical path forward in a market where consumer EV adoption has been slower and more uneven than many automakers anticipated. By building hybrids domestically in Ohio, Honda also insulates itself from tariff pressures and positions the brand as a US manufacturing contributor — a message that resonates strongly with both consumers and policymakers right now.
Why the Original Honda Element Still Matters
To understand why this revival is such a big deal, it helps to remember what made the original Element so beloved in the first place. Launched for the 2003 model year and designed with young, active buyers in mind, the Element offered a boxy, tall-roofed silhouette, clamshell rear doors, a washable interior, and a flexibility that few vehicles in its class could match. It was unapologetically utilitarian without sacrificing character.
Despite being discontinued in 2011 — a casualty of shifting consumer tastes and rising fuel prices — the Element never really went away in the hearts of its owners. Used examples have held their value remarkably well, and Honda-themed forums and social media groups dedicated to the model remain active to this day. Few discontinued vehicles carry this level of genuine grassroots enthusiasm, which is exactly why Honda's decision to bring it back feels less like a marketing gimmick and more like an answer to a question fans never stopped asking.
What to Expect as 2029 Approaches
With production still roughly three years away, official specs, pricing, and design details have yet to be confirmed by Honda. However, based on what's been reported, buyers can likely expect:
- A hybrid powertrain consistent with Honda's new-generation hybrid architecture, prioritizing fuel efficiency and performance balance.
- A boxy, upright design philosophy that pays homage to the original while incorporating modern styling cues and safety technology.
- US-based manufacturing at Honda's Central Ohio facility, with production beginning in Q2 2029.
- A competitive price point aimed at high-volume sales, likely targeting the $30,000–$38,000 range based on its positioning relative to the HR-V and CR-V.
- Lifestyle-focused features designed to appeal to outdoor enthusiasts, active families, and the millennial and Gen Z buyers who grew up with the original.
The Bottom Line
The Honda Element's return is one of the more genuinely exciting automotive announcements in recent memory — not because it follows a trend, but because it bucks one. In an era where crossover SUVs have largely converged on the same rounded, anonymous formula, the Element always stood apart. If Honda can deliver a 2029 model that honors that legacy while wrapping it in modern hybrid efficiency and American manufacturing credentials, it won't just fill a gap in the lineup. It could become one of the most talked-about vehicles of the decade. The box is back — and this time, it means business.