Seat-mounted front side airbags help safeguard the driver and front passenger from side-impact injury. An innovative Occupant Position Detection System is used to assure that the passenger's side airbag has a clear path for deployment. In the event that a child (or a small-statured adult) leans into the deployment path of the side airbag, a seven-segment "antenna" system built within the seat back signals this condition to an electronic control unit (ECU) and the passenger's side airbag is switched off.
Both rows of occupants are protected by Honda's Side Curtain Airbag with rollover sensor system. The side curtain airbags deploy from modules in the roof in the event of a sufficient side impact, providing a significant level of head protection in the window area. In the unlikely event of a rollover, a roll rate sensor and multiple G-force sensors determine the rate of roll and deploy the side curtain airbags accordingly.
Both front seat belts have automatic-tensioners and load limiters that work together to help protect the driver and front passenger in a collision. A LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) child-seat mounting system is standard for the two rear seat positions, allowing two outboard child seats to be installed. For pedestrian safety, design features in the front of the vehicle can help absorb energy in the event of a collision with a pedestrian to help minimize injury.
The Element's fully-independent suspension uses a control link MacPherson strut front suspension and a compact double wishbone rear suspension for responsive handling and a comfortable ride. A 101.4-inch wheelbase contributes to a compact exterior size and an ultra-tight turning diameter of 34.9-feet (36.2-feet, Element SC) provides maneuverability in tight places. Chassis highlights include Vehicle Stability Assist (also known as Electronic Stability Control) and four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. Vehicle Stability Assist helps sense oversteer and understeer, and can adjust brake pressure at each wheel and/or reduce engine power to help restore the driver's intended course. Electronic Brake Distribution helps to balance braking forces depending on dynamic loading. Brake Assist helps apply full braking force in some emergency braking situations.
Element LX and EX models are equipped with 16-inch wheels (steel on LX, alloy on EX) with all-season P215/70R16 tires. Additional LX and EX standard features include power rack-and-pinion steering and front and rear stabilizer bars (30.0x4.5 mm tubular front / 21.0 mm solid rear). A Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) alerts the driver when tire pressure reaches a critically low level.
The Element SC adds 18-inch alloy wheels, P225/55R18 tires, exclusive spring and damper tuning (30 percent firmer), a lowered ride height (approximately 0.7 inches) and increased rear stabilizer bar size (25.0 mm, solid). Compared to Element LX and EX, the solid front stabilizer bar is 25 percent more stiff and the rear stabilizer bar 30 percent more stiff. The steering rack also provides a 6 percent faster ratio (2.94:1 compared to 3.26:1).