More power and more torque is always a good thing, and the 2007 Honda Element’s 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine delivers because it’s up 10 horsepower and displays improved mid-range torque over last year. A drive-by-wire throttle quickens response, high-flow intake and exhaust systems let the engine breathe more freely, and a new five-speed automatic manages power better while improving fuel economy. The result is an engine that makes 166 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 161 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm – not mind-bending figures, certainly, but the added verve is palpable.