I have had an 03 Element EX & now an 07 AWD CRV. Best MPG I got out of my Element was 24MPG all highway. Last trip (all highway) in the CRV I got 34MPG, but usually, with about 80% city, 20% highway, I get 23-25MPG.
CRV seats 5, Element seats 4. CRV looks more "upscale" inside than the Element.
Biggest complaint I had about the Element was the doors. You have to open the front to get to the back.
But the element has all those seating configerations in you haul things.
CRV seemeds to be quieter, but it has that constantly shifting tranny (that I hate) when compared to my Element's.
CRV has all 4 windows that roll down, plus electric roof (if you go EX or higher). My element's back windows didn't roll down.
The Element's rear seats seem a little more comfy, but I didn't spend much time in the back of either car's seats.
Styling on both cars is very personal - some like both, some don't some like one more than the other.
EX CRVs up have radio controls on the steering wheel, my Element didn't
That's about all I can think of right now

 

If I got rid of my Element and replaced it with a new CR-V, I'd feel like I'd have to go buy something I could camp in. To me (just my opinion), the CR-V is now more upscale and not intended to be the utility SUV from Honda. I think they separated the Element and CR-V with the new CR-V look. I think they are two different vehicles with lots of differences, obviously.

Good luck regardless of what you do.

 

"CRV has all 4 windows that roll down, plus electric roof (if you go EX or higher). My element's back windows didn't roll down."

what do you mean by that? My 2 rear windows for my 07 CRV do not roll all the way down? Is there some way to change that? I thought it was some safety feature that was built in and not changeable?

 

Sorry
I didn't mean they roll ALL the way down. They go about ¾ way down. But my element's didn't roll down at all (they popped out if I remember right....).
Rear windows not rolling all the way down isn't a safety feature as a general rule, even though it may be sold that way. It has to do with how far the window can roll down & stay with the door frame. You will notice that most cars that have windows that roll all the way down int he back either have long wheelbases or have a insterted track in the window area itself that allows only a portion of the rear window to roll down.