When it was first shown as a concept car in 2001 nobody dreamed Honda would be brave enough to bring it into production so quickly and certainly no one thought it would be sold in the U.S. Honda stuck with its radical concept, however, even down to the center-opening doors, an increasingly popular feature on full-size extended-cab pickup trucks.

What the suicide doors offer is great access to the rear of the vehicle from the sides with no B-pillars to get in the way. For safety reasons, the rear side doors cannot be opened unless the front door has already been opened first. Likewise they have to be closed before the front side doors can be closed. Moreover, front-seat occupants have to unbuckle their seatbelts before the rear doors can be opened as the front seatbelts are attached to the front edge of the closed rear doors.

From the front, the vehicle has a cheeky chunky look accentuated by rectangular headlights and the unusual design of the bumper. The side of the vehicle has a distinct shape unlike any other vehicle on American roads. The hood line is fairly low and leads to a vertical windshield that curves up to a roofline that sweeps back to an almost vertical rear tailgate.

The rear tailgate is split horizontally so that the lower half can be used as a seating surface for tailgate parties. From the rear the corners are nicely curved so that the Element does not look as chunky from behind. Large 16-inch wheels help ensure the Element doesn't look like a minivan. Plastic cladding runs along the lower half of the body to add character and protection from flying gravel.