adoreble fashionable: Honda Element

The Honda Element enters the 2010 model year with a new range of factory-designed dog-friendly accessories that were first previewed at the New York Auto Show earlier this year. The new Dog Friendly package is priced at $995 and includes several components that are said to improve safety, comfort and convenience for dogs and their owners alike.

These include a soft-sided cargo area car kennel made from seat belt-grade netting, a 12V DC rear ventilation fan to keep your four-legged friend cool, a cushioned pet bed in the cargo area with an elevated platform, an extendable ramp that stores under the pet bed platform and even a spill-resistant water bowl.

And for those that like to show off their affection for dogs, Honda also throws in a set of Dog Friendly exterior emblems and all-season rubber floor mats with a toy bone pattern.

There are no other changes for the 2010MY Element that received a facelift in late 2008. All models feature a 166HP 2.4-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine linked to a 5-speed automatic transmission while buyers can choose between FWD and 4WD versions.

Prices for the 2010 model year Element (excluding tax, license, registration and a $710 destination charge), start at $20,535 for the 2WD LX and reach $25,585 for a fully loaded 4WD EX with a navigation system.

Believe it or not, a whole month has past since the first photos of the facelifted Element unceremoniously hit the web -see here, but the leak didn't prevent Honda from sticking to its original plan that was to release the official data on the car at the end of October. For 2009, Honda has enhanced the Element's exterior styling with subtle changes that include a new bumper design and front grille inspired from the redesigned Pilot SUV, restyled front fenders which are made from metal instead of composite materials, a new hood design, squared wheel arches, and new headlight and taillight configurations. -Continued

Changes in the interior are less significant as they are limited to the brighter color schemes with titanium-look side linings, different fabric patterns, a new overhead console with two large storage bins and revised switchgear designs and meter graphics.

As before, the Element is available in three styles, the basic LX, the more refined EX and the sportier SC which stands out thanks to the addition of a factory bodykit, larger alloy wheels, a custom grille and the lower stance achieved by lowering the ride height of the suspension and the addition of slimmer roof moldings.

There are no surprises under the hood as the Element continues to use a 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder engine producing 166HP at 5800 rpm and 161 lb-ft. of torque at 4000 rpm that can be hooked up to either a standard 5-speed manual transmission or an optional 5-speed automatic transmission. The Element LX and EX are available in two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive configurations, while the sport-tuned Element SC continues to be available exclusively in two-wheel-drive.

Prices for the 2009 Element that goes on sale today in the U.S. with start at $20,175 for the 2009 Element 2WD LX, plus a destination and handling charge of $670.