The 2009 Honda Element line-up comes with sole powerplant- Honda's 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine. The four-cylinder engine is competent, that produces 166 horsepower and 161 pound-feet of torque. It is equipped with Honda's variable valve timing, called i-VTEC, which is intended to reduce vehicle emissions and increase engine efficiency and gas mileage. The engine is mated to either a five-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transmission.

EPA-estimated fuel economy rating for the front-wheel drive 2009 Element is 20 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway with an automatic transmission, while it is 18 miles per gallon in the city and 23 miles per gallon on the highway with a manual transmission. Fuel economy for the all-wheel drive model rates at 19 miles per gallon in the city and 24 miles per gallon on the highway with the automatic transmission; and 18 miles per gallon in the city and 23 miles per gallon on the highway with a manual transmission.