Okay, so it's not a mini-van and it's not quite a sport utility vehicle. So just what is the Honda Element?

Well, it's sort of all things to all people. Honda calls it a "multipurpose adventure tool," but you might be inclined to think of it as the Swiss Army Knife of vehicles.

The Element is definitely a love it or hate it proposition. It's basically a big box with a smaller box on the front housing the engine. Some have likened it to a Hummer, albeit a small one with its sides squished in. Plastic body panels over the wheels give a two-tone appearance and offer scratch-resistant sides.

Honda claims the Element was designed by a bunch of 20-something California surfer dudes for other 20-something surfer dudes. And the shape, they say, was inspired by the famous Baywatch-style lifeguard stations which dot California's beaches. (I don't see the resemblance, but if they truly wanted to be clever, they could have stowed a first-aid kit in one of the Element's many storage spaces.)

And while the official target audience may be fun-loving males with a taste for extreme sports, the reality is that once you get past its quirky looks, the Element is so versatile that is has something to appeal to most everyone.

So, while snowboarders at the end of a long day shredding half-pipes may admire the water-resistant seat fabric, so too can any parent who has tried to clean up a fumbled grape juice box.

Likewise, the rear seats, which can be laid flat and then folded neatly against the sides, can easily accommodate cargo of any size.

And loading bulky objects is a snap for young, old and in between with a split tailgate. The glass upper half is hinged to swing up high above most people's heads, providing cover from inclement weather. The lower half drops flat like a pickup truck's tailgate to create a continuous surface with the cargo interior for sliding heavy objects into the back. Honda says the tailgate is so strong that it can support the weight of two 200-pound adults.

The side doors are also accommodating for loading gear. The front doors swing open a full 78 degrees, while the rear suicide doors open upwards 90 degrees, creating one huge opening. This unique design has eliminated the need for a B-pillar, but the opposing doors do not compromise side impact safety. In fact, some clever engineering and safety latches at the top and bottom of the doors have allowed the Element to attain a five-star rating in side impact crash tests.

The only trick to working the doors is that a rear door cannot be unlatched without the front door first being opened. This means a parent seated in the back with a child cannot open their own door without crawling into the front or having the driver do it for them.

Another unique design "element" is the completely flat urethane floor. Never again will you have to deal with wet, stained or mildewy carpets. And cleaning up muddy footprints is as easy as swabbing the floor with a damp mop. Of course, hosing down the interior isn't recommended, but in case things do get a little wet, all electronics and wiring have been raised above the floor line.

The only down side to the carpet-free floor is that groceries and parcels tend to slide around too much. A softer rubber compound with some grip would have been a better choice here.

The flat floor and boxy shape also maximise cargo capacity. And if you can't quite squeeze your load in the back with the rear seats folded against the sides, they can also be removed in a flash by pulling two simple levers. All four seats can also be laid completely flat to form a bed, though your chiropractor may not recommend extended resting in this way. And in the normal upright position, the back seats offer plenty of legroom and headroom thanks to the flat floor and tall roof.

The dashboard has a modern and sporty feel with round gauges and metallic accents. The heating and cooling controls consist of three large dials, which are easily handled, even with gloves on.

To keep the space between the front seats less cluttered, the gear selector has been moved onto the dashboard just below the heating controls, much like Honda's sporty hatchback Civic Si. It takes a bit of getting used to, but eventually the location makes perfect sense.

A variety of stereo packages are available with the upper models featuring six speakers, plus a subwoofer that sits under the gear selector and pumps out an ear-splitting 270 watts of sound.

Powering the Element is essentially the same 2.4-liter i-VTEC engine that moves the more expensive Honda CRV. It produces 160 horsepower and attains 22 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway with the four-speed automatic transmission.

The engine is more than capable enough when it comes to hitting highway speeds and cruising comfortably. And thanks to a tight turning circle and a stabiliser bar, the Element is surprisingly stable and a breeze to park.

Pricing is well within most budgets and quite affordable for a vehicle of this size. The two-wheel-drive DX models start at $16,100 and the top of the line 4WD EX model starts at $20,850.

Overall, the Element offers the best of many worlds. It has the hauling capacity of a minivan, but without the stigma of a family vehicle. Or if you prefer, you could also say it has the rugged sportiness of an SUV without the fuel penalty. Add to that Honda's reputation for building reliable cars and the success of this new breed of vehicle may be elementary.

Click here for more information on the Honda Element.