Time to weigh in on this issue. I am a service advisor for Honda and a vanagon owner. I have camped with Element owners and talked at length with them on the issue (I also own an older CRV). The Element is a great vehicle and has a contingency of loyal owners that love all of it's attributes and its functionality. It is a regular occurance though for an Element owner to say, "Why doesn't Honda come out with something like the Vanagon?". When you consider the lack of the traditionally located B pillar in the Element one would not expect it to withstand a side impact like a Vanagon. On the other hand I would not want to get hit on the driver's side of my Westfalia with a full tank of propane (BOOM!). Element owners are still a bit envious of the full camping capabilities and spaciousness of our Vanagons/Westfalias.

David Clarkson
90 Westy (234k)
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