The ground clearance of the 2022 Honda Accord varies according to the trim level. The bottom of the LX, Sports SE, and EX-L trims sit 6.7 inches over the ground. Meanwhile, the Hybrid and Sport trims sit closer to the ground, with a ground clearance of 5.8 inches. Finally, the 2022 Honda Accord Touring trim has the lowest ground clearance at 5.5 inches.
Compared to other models with the same body type, the Honda Accord boasts a higher ground clearance than the average sedan. The Accord LX trim sits slightly higher than the Mazda 6, which has 6.5 inches of space between its underside and a level ground surface. Other sedan models sit lower than the Accord.
What Is Ground Clearance?
Ground clearance is the gap between the road surface and the lowest point of the vehicle that shouldn’t come into direct contact with the ground.
The LX, Sports SE, and EX-L trims have a ground clearance of 6.7 inches, the Hybrid and Sport trims have 5.8 inches, and the 2022 Honda Accord Touring trim has 5.5 inches, which is the lowest among all trim levels. Image source: Honda News
For ground clearance measurement, car manufacturers park the vehicle in a flat location. They generally choose the drive axle as their reference point. The axle is a vital transmission component that sits under the car and must stay as high above the road surface as possible. Otherwise, it can get damaged if it strikes or scrapes across the ground surface.
Why Is Ground Clearance Important?
Ground clearance doesn’t get the same interest as horsepower and transmission gear numbers. However, it affects a vehicle’s performance on or off the road. Even if you never stray from paved roads, you should always consider ground clearance to know how your car can handle obstacles.
Ground clearance affects stability and road handling. It adds to the vehicle’s overall height and helps determine where the center of mass lies. Cars with low ground clearance have a lower center of gravity, making them more stable and easier to control. The opposite holds true for taller vehicles like the Honda CR-V. A crossover like the CR-V has a higher center of mass, making it more prone to rolling over when making abrupt or sharp turns.
Furthermore, ground clearance helps determine the aerodynamics of the vehicle. The lower the car, the more aerodynamic it is.
Lisa Conant grew up in Canada around a solid contingency of gear heads and DIY motor enthusiasts. She is an eclectic writer with a varied repertoire in the automotive industry, including research pieces with a focus on daily drivers and recreational vehicles. Lisa has written for Car Bibles and The Drive.
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