We have both the Element and the MINI, and love both.

The Element is typically configured without the rear seats. It holds our tandem (with the back wheel between the front seats) as well as two single bikes and a ton of gear. You can hose out the interior! My only complaint is that the roof is high enough that this 5'0" kayaker really struggles to load our kayaks on top (we carry a small footstool).

The MINI carries two single bikes, but only with at least one of the seats pushed pretty far forward (it would be difficult with two tall passengers). My bike fits great with the passenger seat pushed forward. With two bikes, we put a picnic blanket over my bike on the bottom. Must remove both front and rear wheel on my partner's 58cm bike to put on top. But it works.

I do not want my bikes outside - too many risks. We hit one of those 7'6" warning bars once with three bikes on the roof rack. We were very fortunate that we only bent the rails on a saddle. And although we own a Saris Bones trunk rack, it is almost never used.