Does a 2008 Honda Element have a CVT transmission?

No. The 2008 Honda Element uses a conventional 4-speed automatic transmission or a 5-speed manual transmission, depending on the trim, and Honda did not offer a CVT on this model.

The Element, produced from 2003 to 2011, was built with a focus on practicality and durability rather than drivetrain innovations like CVTs. Here is a closer look at the transmission options and how to verify what your specific vehicle uses.

Transmission options by year

Below is a quick breakdown of the transmission options seen in the Element lineup during its production years. No CVT was offered on any model year.

• Early years (2003–2006): Available with a 5-speed manual transmission (5MT) or a 4-speed automatic transmission (4AT).


• Later years (2007–2011): Continued availability of the 5MT or 4AT, with refinements but still no CVT option.

In summary, throughout its production run, the Element offered manual and traditional automatic transmissions only, with no CVT option for the model.

How to verify your Element’s transmission

When shopping for a used 2008 Element, use these checks to confirm the transmission type and avoid mislabeling in listings.

• Check the vehicle’s documents or door jamb sticker for the transmission designation (5MT or 4AT). CVT would be labeled as CVT or Continuously Variable Transmission.


• Inspect the gear selector and shift pattern. A traditional automatic shows P-R-N-D-3-2-1, while a CVT-equipped vehicle may display different indicators like a sport mode or gear position that doesn’t map to fixed gear steps.


• Look up the VIN or service records. A dealer or independent mechanic can confirm the transmission type from the VIN decoding or the maintenance history.


• Ask the seller directly if the Element has a CVT; if there is any doubt or ambiguity, request a video or test drive to observe how the transmission shifts.

Correctly identifying the transmission helps you evaluate maintenance needs and reliability expectations, since CVT-equipped Hondas generally have different service considerations than the 4-speed auto or 5MT used in the Element.

Summary

The 2008 Honda Element does not have a CVT. It was offered with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission, and Honda did not introduce a CVT option for this model. For buyers or owners, verifying the transmission type is straightforward through documents, the gear selector, and a quick VIN check.

Was 2008 a good year for the Honda Element?

As a whole, consumers found the vehicle's reliability and quality to be its strongest features and comfort to be its weakest. 639 out of 793 of owners (81% of them) rank the 2008 Element five out of five stars. Overall, consumers seem aligned in their opinions of the 2008 Honda Element.

Which Hondas have no CVT?

Honda models available without a CVT transmission include the Civic Si (manual only), Pilot, Passport, Ridgeline, and Odyssey. Some older models or specific trims of other cars, like a pre-2017 CR-V or a pre-2015 Accord, may also have a traditional automatic or manual transmission, so check the VIN for specifics when buying a used car. 
This video explains why some people prefer cars without CVT transmissions: 59sGarage IQYouTube · Sep 8, 2025
Models with standard transmissions

• Honda Civic Si: This model comes exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission and is known for being a fun-to-drive performance sedan. 
• Honda Pilot: The Pilot is an SUV that uses a traditional automatic transmission instead of a CVT. 
• Honda Passport: Like the Pilot, this SUV features a conventional automatic transmission. 
• Honda Ridgeline: The Ridgeline, Honda's truck, does not use a CVT. 
• Honda Odyssey: This minivan is equipped with a traditional automatic transmission. 

Older models and specific trims

• Some older models may have been equipped with different transmissions. For example:
  • Some pre-2015 Honda Accord models came with a traditional 10-speed automatic, but this was discontinued in favor of CVTs in later years.
  • Pre-2017 Honda CR-V models often came with a 5-speed automatic instead of a CVT, but it is important to check the VIN when buying a used vehicle. 

Important considerations for used cars

• When looking at used Honda models, check the VIN or consult with a mechanic to confirm the transmission type. A vehicle with a CVT may be listed with "0 gears".
• If a model you are interested in originally came with a CVT, it is still worth checking if the specific trim you want was made with a different transmission. Sometimes, dealers may have options you can special order. 

Does a Honda Element have a CVT transmission?

No, they don't. Most are either 4 or 5 speed automatics. Rarely you might find an 5 speed manual, and a unicorn will be converted manual to a 6 speed.

What transmission is in a Honda Element?

The Honda Element was available with a 5-speed manual transmission (2003-2010) or an automatic transmission. The automatic varied by year: a 4-speed automatic was used in 2003-2006 models, and a 5-speed automatic became standard from 2007-2011. 
Transmission types by model year

• 2003–2006: Available with a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic.
• 2007–2011: Available with a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic. 

Drivetrain options

• The Element was available in either Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) or Real Time 4WD, depending on the trim level and model year. 
• The SC model (2007-2011) was 2WD only.