Many dog fans, especially those with larger breeds, say Honda and other car makers don’t truly understand their needs. They may be right. For people looking to replace their beloved Elements, Honda recommends the CR-V compact crossover. It seems to make sense, since the two vehicles have always been closely related. But all you have to do is open the CR-V’s rear hatch to realize why it just doesn’t stack up.

While the Element was a box on wheels, the CR-V is more shapely and fashion-conscious, with a tapered rear end and sleeker profile. As a result its interior doesn’t have the same dog-friendly quality. The Element’s hard-plastic and rubber-lined cargo bay was also more flexible and easier to clean and maintain. You could wash it with a hose in a pinch. The ceiling height and cube-like shape of the Element’s rear area also made it ideal for large dogs who could stand up comfortably and move around easily.