2009 Honda Element is more expensive than its boxy rivals

— -- Honda pioneered small, boxy cars in the U.S. when it rolled out the 2003 Element. It was loosely based on the Civic, marketed as a utility vehicle and styled like something you'd see in the bread aisle. Now, Honda has freshened it for '09 to better compete with the latest boxes — 2010 Kia Soul, '09 Nissan Cube and Scion xB, overhauled in '08.

But short of a start-from-scratch redesign, the Element can't hide how different it is from the other wheeled boxes. It's as much as 1,000 pounds heavier, $6,000 more expensive and, because of its rear-door design, less convenient. But it, alone, offers all-wheel drive.

All considered, you can regard Element as the premium choice among the small auto rectangles.

Its extra weight gives it a more solid feel and, all else equal, would make it safer in a crash.

The five-speed automatic transmission, new in '07, shifted more smoothly than the Kia's four-speed and was more agreeable than the Nissan's continuously variable ratio box.

The newly optional navigation system was easy and quick to program, though the controls were inconveniently small, and the overall sophistication can't match the Honda system in, say, the Pilot SUV. The navi comes with backup camera that presents a reasonably clear image on the navi screen. Back seats have more moves than a hula dancer and can be folded flat against the side of the car or removed altogether. They only hold two people, though, vs. three (nominally) in rivals' back seats. And, though roomy, they weren't comfy.

A $20,945 starting price vs. rivals' opening bids ranging from $13,995 (Soul) to $16,420 (xB), makes the Honda less appealing these recessionary days. Element gives you an auto transmission at that price, however; the others charge extra.