It's the most polarizing vehicle I've ever driven.  No question about it.  One of my next-door neighbors, a woman in her latter 50s, walked across the lawn and announced in no-uncertain tone: "That is the ugliest car I've ever seen."  Her granddaughter, who falls within the Gen Y category that the vehicle was developed for, when asked for her take on the vehicle, said, "Except for the shape, I think it's cute"—which is certainly proof that she's a diplomatic young woman, for all she could see of it was its shape.  When I took it through the drive-through at a bank, the teller blared through the speaker, "That's the coolest car I've ever seen!"  A brother- and sister-in-law, with two kids in single digits, who own a Honda Odyssey, are so taken with its functionality and performance that I'm hoping that I'll get a commission when they go out to buy a vehicle, because it will undoubtedly be the Element.

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According to the J.D. Power & Associates 2002 "Generation Y Automotive Consumer Study," released last fall, that chronologic group, which consists of those born between 1977 and '94, will buy on the order of 700,000 new vehicles this year.  "Our research indicates that Gen Y consumers are style-conscious, less loyal to domestic brands, and seek vehicles with 'fun to drive' characteristics," Walter McManus, the research firm's executive director of Global Forecasting is quoted as saying.  With few modifications, they sound pretty much like any group of car buyers.  That said, check these two lists from the study:

"Top 5 Vehicle Brands:

• Kia
• Volkswagen
• Saturn
• Hyundai
• Pontiac"

"Top 5 Vehicle Models:

• Saturn SC
• Hyundai Tiburon
• Dodge Stratus
• Honda Prelude
• Subaru Impreza"

And so I wonder: What's that all about?  Well, most of the cars/brands are economical.  The Saturn SC is gone.  The Honda Prelude is gone, too.  Stratus?  I didn't realize there were a whole lot of Aerosmith fans among Gen Y.

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Back to the Element.  Which is, I'd argue, more different from anything else out there (well, the Scion xB is awfully close) than Gen Y is from Gen X.  (Interesting enough, the concept for the Element was named "Model X," not "Model Y.").  It is essentially a 1.5-box architecture.  A hint of a hood for the 160-hp, 2.4-liter i-VTEC four cylinder.  It's built on what is known in Hondaland as the "Global Compact Platform."  Think Civic.  Think CR-V.  And then stop thinking about them.  This is different.  Way different.  Well, that's not entirely true.  The steering and handling are Civic-like.  And there is utility ala the CR-V and it is available in 4WD.  But there's more to the Element.  This vehicle, with two rows of seats (seating for four), provides, depending on the trim level selected, from 74.6 ft³ to 77.1 ft³ of cargo space.  For being a vehicle with a wheelbase of just 101.4 in., a length of 169.3 in., a height of 70.4 in., and a width of 71.5 in., the vehicle is cavernous.  And getting stuff in and out is facilitated by the use of a suicide-door setup on both sides.  No B-pillar.  The lift gate has a split opening arrangement like station wagons of yore (open the glass area and reach down and in, or also open the tailgate for more full access.)  The rear seats can be folded and snugged up vertically to the sidewalls or taken out entirely.  The front seat headrests can be removed and the seats folded back such that they form a bed.  But there is a whole lot of greenhouse there (including a 20 x 30-in. skylight that is located above the rear seat and cargo area), so one would have to be conscientious before bedding down.  The front seat fabric is something that Honda calls "FXC," which designates "Fabric for Extreme Conditions."  Which is to say that it doesn't get too marked up.  The rear seats are vinyl.  The difference is obvious vis-à-vis wear.  The flat floor is a urethane-coated TPO—which my sister-in-law thinks is absolutely wonderful: "You should see the carpet in the Odyssey!" she noted.  (Remember: the two tykes.  Think crushed cereal and related detritus.)

The most polarizing factor of the Element is, I think, short of the overall shape (quasi-milk truck for those of us old enough to remember: and we aren't in Gen Y), is the use of non-body-color polypropylene body panels that cover the front and rear quarter panels and blend right into the front and rear fascias.  The panels speak of the functionality of the vehicle (more so, than, say, those on the Chevy Avalanche).  But I can only assume that they go a bit over the top so far as many people are concerned.

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My main complaints with the Element have to do with the doors.  When slammed, there isn't a satisfying "clunk."  It is remarkably tinny.  Which is probably a function of the lack of a B-pillar to provide resistance.  But which could probably be solved through the injection of some sound-deadening material into the door cavities or the use of a steel composite for the door stampings.  And a consequence of the non-Honda-like lack of a secure closed sound, I am disappointed that the small icon typically found among the gauges indicating whether a door is ajar or the trunk unsecured isn't there.

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Depending on how you get it arrayed, you're talking from about $16,500 to ~$22K.  Which may be a bit stiff for some Gen Y constituents.  Which may explain why the demographic for purchasers is trending toward the trailing edge of the Boomers.  Go figure.  But there are some people for whom no price will be too low to get them into an Element.  Like my next-door neighbors.