- Honda patents a boxy SUV and a compact pickup with unique features.
- The SUV design draws inspiration from the original Honda Element.
- The patent filings spark speculation about potential production models.
Honda’s long-dormant Element could be making a comeback. Newly surfaced patents hint at a boxy SUV with design cues straight from the original. While the Element’s quirky charm won a dedicated following, its 2011 discontinuation left a void. These patent filings have reignited hopes for a revival.
The drawings depict a crossover with a clever tail extension that deploys into a roof-mounted tent, creating a separate room at the back of the vehicle. The resulting setup looks perfect for family camping trips, but that’s not even the most interesting part.
More: Toyota Patents The Funkiest Crossover Van Since The Honda Element
The underlying vehicle showcased in the patents bears a striking resemblance to the original Element. Suicide rear doors, a clamshell hood, and a floating roof pay homage to the classic boxy shape, albeit with modern twists.
Honda’s patent portfolio extends beyond the camping crossover. A compact pickup concept also emerges, showcasing a modular interior with a movable divider. This versatile little truck can transform from a single-seater workhorse to a two-person hauler. Bold fender flares, deployable steps, and a full-width taillight bar give the concept a rugged, adventurous look.
The patent drawings (below) look like a modern reinterpretation of the Honda Element (above).
USPTO
The patents, filed in December 2022 and published this past June, have sparked speculation about a potential Element revival. Our colleagues at Car And Driver first spotted the intriguing designs, drawing parallels between the new concepts and the original Element.
The Element was introduced in concept form in 2001, followed by the production version in 2002. The quirky crossover remained on sale until 2011, when it was dropped from the range without a direct successor. A modern reincarnation could be positioned below the HR-V in Honda’s SUV lineup, potentially featuring a hybrid or a fully electric powertrain under the hood.
But will it happen?
As much as we would like to see the crossover and pickup evolve into production models, there’s a very good chance they were created solely for trademarking the clever camper and pickup partition ideas. Automakers frequently patent ideas to protect intellectual property without committing to production. Until Honda gives the green light, consider this a case of wishful thinking for Element enthusiasts.
Until Honda dusts off the Element nameplate for a future concept or production vehicle, you can use our exclusive renderings to fuel your imagination. These were based on the official patent drawings with a level of artistic freedom, creating the electrified camper of our dreams.
Note: These independent renderings are off-the-record and unrelated to Honda.
