Honda Element Ground Clearance

The majority of Honda Element models have 6.9 inches of ground clearance, except for the SC trim which has 6.2 inches.
Written by Zachary Morgan
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
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Most 2011 (last production year) Honda Elements have a ground clearance of 6.9 inches, except for the SC which sits significantly lower at 6.2 inches.
A boxy, spacious SUV with plenty of legroom and cargo space, the Honda Element was manufactured from 2003 to 2011 until it was discontinued due to insufficient fuel economy. When it comes to off-road performance, the Element is certainly no
Ford Bronco
, as it sits much closer to the ground than is typical for most all-terrain vehicles.
We put this helpful little guide together to show you the off-road specs for your Element as well as how to save money on insurance for it.
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2011 Honda Element ground clearance

The majority of 2011 Honda Element models (EX 4WD, EX 2WD, LX 4WD, LX 2WD) have the same amount of ground clearance: 6.9 inches. The only trim that has a different level of ground clearance is the 2WD SC model, which sits significantly lower to the ground at 6.2 inches.
This remained fairly consistent across pretty much the entirety of the Element’s production run between 2003 and 2011. All Elements had 6.9 inches of underbody clearance until the lower, two-door SC trim was introduced in 2007.
MORE: The 10 best SUVs for towing

What is ground clearance—and why does it matter?

Ground/underbody clearance is a measurement of the distance between the underside of your car and the road surface. Put simply, it’s the space between the ground and your car, a very important measurement to know if you ever wanted to take your Element off-road.
Most vehicles built with off-roading in mind have a particularly high amount of underbody clearance so that they can pass right over anything that could potentially damage the undercarriage. Most experts tend to recommend a ground clearance of 8.5 inches or higher for any heavy-duty trips off the beaten path.
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Is the Honda Element a good off-roading vehicle?

With an 8/10 rating on Car and Driver, the Honda Element is a great choice for an affordable, spacious SUV, but it lags noticeably behind other more established vehicles in the off-roading field. You’d be much better off with something like a Jeep Wrangler or a Nissan Frontier for a weekend camping trip or a rugged trek through the trails.
That’s not to say that taking your Element off-road is impossible, though, as there are plenty of people who have tried it and been successful. Still, you might want to look at some possible upgrades that could get you a higher ground clearance and better performance off-road.

Guard against accidents with the best Element insurance

Before you go experimenting off-road in your Honda Element, you’ll definitely want to make sure that you’re protected by a good car insurance policy. Insurance shopping might seem like a pain, but Jerry makes it easier than ever!
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