Honda Element to ramp-up dog-friendly features
By Keith Turner
April 8, 2009
Today at the New York Auto Show, Honda introduced a new concept version of the dog-friendly Element that is designed to push the SUV ahead of the DogCar pack.
You’ll recall that the Element was named the 2007 DogCar of the Year by the expert reviewers at Pet Connection sister site DogCars.com, making it a trailblazer as the first vehicle to receive that honor. At the time, the news of the award caught the Honda marketing folks off-guard, forcing them to scramble out a new advertising campaign that focused on the highly lucrative pet products market rather than the twenty-something surfers and cyclists that they had been targeting.
Now we learn that Honda has not only embraced the Element’s DogCar attributes, but in fact is introducing a new version with a plethora of dog-friendly features, including a few that have never before been seen on the pet market.
Some of the standout dog-friendly features that have our tails wagging include:
- Extendable pet ramp that stores underneath the bed platform
- Pet restraint systems in the second row and cargo area
- Second-row seat covers
- Electric rear ventilation fan
- Spill-resistant water bowl
- Dog-friendly badge on vehicle’s exterior.
Of course, all of these are in addition to the Element’s already dog-friendly attributes such as an easy-to-clean urethane floor, wide and flat cargo area and wide-opening side doors.
In Honda’s press release announcing the new Element concept, the company not only mentioned the DogCars.com award, but also showed that it hasn’t lost its sense of humor even in these tough economic times.
“In an interesting turn of events, cars are now chasing dogs,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda. “Factory integration of a cushioned pet bed, restraint systems and other components are intended to transform the Element into the ultimate dog car.”
While today’s announcement was just about the conceptual version of the dog-friendly Element, it is expected that the model will debut on the market this fall.
Guess you can say that the Honda folks have finally decided to embrace their inner dogma.
I’m seriously impressed. Makes me want to go get a dog so I can get the car…
Comment by Laura — April 8, 2009 @ 1:37 pm
I love this car. Love. Love. Love.
How can I love it more?
Ah! Heated seats. For me. Please?
Comment by Gina Spadafori — April 8, 2009 @ 1:45 pm
Actually, ask your dealer when you buy your car. Heated seats can probably be installed as an aftermarket add-on to pretty much any car out there.
Comment by The OTHER Pat — April 8, 2009 @ 3:25 pm
My friend Annie, who worked for the Anchorage Daily News, tells me I am an absolute WIMP for wanting heated seats in California. She tells me when she lived in AK, she got up at 4:30 a.m. to plug in the heater to warm up her car engine enough to start it in time to go to work.
Honestly … I can’t imagine. And don’t want to.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — April 8, 2009 @ 3:56 pm
The only people I know who actually have heated seats are Californians, and I lived in the Midwest for four years. That’s OK, Gina. I’d take the heated seats too. They’re good for my back.
Comment by Debbie — April 8, 2009 @ 4:16 pm
I wannit, I wannit, I wannit… and the dogs wannit too!
Makes quite a mockery of their current ride - a Chevy Cavalier. Ok for short jaunts, but not exactly a pleasure cruise for anything over an hour.
As for heated seats… in California? Really?
As a canuck I’ve never seen the need for them. In fact, even in Alberta, and Northern Saskatchewan (where it gets so cold the gas freezes in the pump and one must drive around with insulation on the front of their vehicles so the motor doesn’t freeze mid-trip) we’ve never yearned for warmed fannies.
Sadly though, I have to admit, the dogs DO own heated dog beds for winter, and cooling dog beds for summer. So I suppose THEY would appreciate the heated seats. ;O)
Comment by Kim — April 8, 2009 @ 5:01 pm
I live in south Florida and used my seat warmer this morning..it was like, in the 50s! Brr.
Comment by Sheyna — April 8, 2009 @ 6:35 pm
I know! That is sooo cold!
Also …
The back heat is the BEST. One of the cars I tested for DogCars.com — the Escalade — had multiple choices on the heat: Back, bottom or both.
Honestly, it was about the only thing I liked about the vehicle, which felt like I was driving a water buffalo with leather seats.
I was kind of hoping to get a car next year. But I may have to wait until this one is out to get a look-see on the dog-friendly features. Good on Honda!
Comment by Gina Spadafori — April 8, 2009 @ 6:38 pm
Gina, how about just getting a heating pad that you can plug into the power port (whatever they call the place where the cigarette lighter used to be)?
or a heated dog bed… they’re not just for dogs anymore!
wimp
;-)
Comment by EmilyS — April 8, 2009 @ 6:45 pm
It’s just not the same. Oh no. Not the same.
I have driven something like 100 vehicles since we started DogCars.com, about half with heated seats. Media reviewers get the cars for a week at a time.
You would not believe how particular I am about not only having heated seats, but also about what KIND. The back heat is much preferred over bun heat.
I am a connoisseur of the heated seat, and my tastes are refined.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — April 8, 2009 @ 6:56 pm
“Honestly, it was about the only thing I liked about the vehicle, which felt like I was driving a water buffalo with leather seats.”
I guess technically water buffalo DO have leather seats…::Snicker::
Comment by Original Lori — April 9, 2009 @ 5:21 am
That’s my colleague Heather and her awesome rescue and therapy dog Sammy posing in this cool pic! Check out Heather’s awesome work here - http://tr.im/lams_spayneuter
Comment by Jennifer — April 9, 2009 @ 10:06 pm
Restraints might be OK for small dogs, but my dogs ride in crates in the cargo area. I don’t want a 90 pound dog launched over the seat if I have to stop short!
Will a 500 size Vari Kennel fit?
Comment by Gail — April 11, 2009 @ 11:04 am
Fits in the current one. Sure it’ll fit in the new one, too.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — April 11, 2009 @ 12:14 pm
We have a 2006 Element and it’s great BUT (IMO) it really, really, really, really NEEDS to have separate climate control in the rear for those of us with dogs that easily overheat. Not just a fan but true climate control with vents. I swear my dogs would be most comfortable riding in a refrigerated truck – so even though I prefer warm/hot temperatures myself, I suffer and make my partner suffer, and have even gotten sick, keeping the windows down for the dogs so they will stay cool in the rear. Since getting the Element, I have even changed my daily habits and only drive go out/do errands and drive around with the dogs when it’s dark or seriously cold out because the rear gets too warm for my two elder Danes on moderate/sunny days – my guys consider their car a mobile home and suffer SE if I don’t take them everywhere with me.
My friend at Cushion Works, custom made us the most amazing Element dog bed lining thing - 3” foam with a memory foam topper, and “pet pad” for extra fluff and so it’s pretty deluxe accommodations for them back there (we took the rear seats out the day we brought it home and have never once put them back in – they remain in storage).
Previously, we had Ford Explorers with rear climate control and windows that rolled down and it was much more comfortable for the dogs in this way – but they had to jump to get in/out and it wasn’t roomy enough vertically for them to stand or sit comfortably. We spent a lot of time cleaning hair off the ceiling/headliner.
Please Honda, I’m begging you to put in rear AC for the dogs! Then I will truly love this car - right now I like it very much and it is worked out well for my Danes to just step in/out of; perfect for them as they get older (they are both almost 11-years old). It also works well for me to move cases of product/food for the co-op; I regularly push it a bit past the listed payload.
Comment by kasie — April 12, 2009 @ 2:12 pm
A great little car…. but what’s with the Honda - HSUS thing?
http://www.reuters.com/article.....RN20090408
Comment by Janeen — April 20, 2009 @ 11:06 am
It looks like Reuters just called them for a comment, and Wayne, who knows nothing of dogs or cars, helpfully provided it.
Comment by H. Houlahan — April 20, 2009 @ 11:27 am
Wellll, actually it looks like Honda “reached out” to HSUS and asked the to provide “an average dog” for their ad campaign — and HSUS, ever willing to grab the spotlight (especially when it lets them imply that they actually rescue and shelter pets) was happy to step in.
Glad I bought a Toyota.
http://news.beloblog.com/cgi-b.....p;limit=20
Comment by Janeen — April 21, 2009 @ 11:31 am
You’re welcome to do so, of course. But I doubt Honda gave it that much thought at all. They needed some “cred” and reached out to the name they knew, the HSUS.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — April 21, 2009 @ 11:56 am
Maybe *someone* with connections at Honda should reach out to offer other sources for “cred”. (winks and nudges)
BTW - I’m also not banking at Bank of America because of their HSUS credit card and checking account programs. The biggest issue I have with HSUS getting ‘cred’ with corporations and news sources is that it facilitates their ability to steal money from real shelter and rescue groups. My next door neighbor bought the cute puppy HSUS checks because she thought she was helping our local shelter.
Oops! Sorry ‘bout that neighbor. Instead of helping our local shelter you’re helping HSUS spend big bux to lobby to end the hunting, fishing, horseback riding, dog breeding, cat ownership she loves - and to close down the family farm (that in part raises feeder cattle) you grew up on.
Comment by Janeen — April 21, 2009 @ 12:23 pm
I’m running out of places to eat, bank, shop, live, patronize, stand near or look at. It’s kind of depressing.
Comment by Original Lori — April 21, 2009 @ 12:46 pm
[takes original lori’s hand and starts humming “kum ba yah”]
Comment by Janeen — April 21, 2009 @ 12:51 pm
Now all we need is a campfire. :O)
Comment by Original Lori — April 21, 2009 @ 1:32 pm
Have you noticed that catalogs have stopped putting “China” in the listings for products? Now, they put “Imported” if they mention anything at all.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — April 21, 2009 @ 1:35 pm
I saw some lovely nesting bowls in Target the other day but they were labeled as Melamine Mixing Bowls and I just couldn’t. I know that it’s not supposed to be harmful when it’s inert or whatever, but I just couldn’t do it.
Comment by Original Lori — April 21, 2009 @ 1:47 pm
kasie - looked up your friend’s site:
http://cushionworks.net/petpads.html
Do they post their prices anywhere?
Comment by The OTHER Pat — April 21, 2009 @ 2:16 pm
WHERE CAN I BUY THE HONDA ELEMENT DOG CRATE?
Comment by PAUL MANUEL — July 25, 2009 @ 9:26 am
It’s part of the special package with the new Element. Talk to the Honda dealer to see if it’s available after-market.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — July 25, 2009 @ 9:56 am