Comparison: Ground clearance Honda Accord vs. competitors 2025

As we journey through the ages, from the first generation Accord that hit the streets back in '76 till the latest models gracing our driveways, the ground clearance narrative unfolds like a cloak of mystery. Unfortunately, in the early chronicles of Accords, ground clearance was a detail left to the imagination, with zeroes across the board up until the 7th generation's facelift in 2006, where it suddenly emerged from the shadows at 145mm, akin to discovering a new continent. However, the 8th generation decided modesty was key, trimming down to a sleek 135mm, a number that has stood the test of time up till the latest facelift during 2011-2015. It's been a rollercoaster, to say the least, but has it been enough to keep the undercarriage scratch-free?

Within the Honda family, the Accord stands tall, but not quite the tallest. If we're drawing family comparisons, let's say the Accord is more of a middle child. With siblings like the Honda CR-V towering at an impressive 198mm off the ground, and even the modest Honda Civic Type R boasting a ground clearance of 121mm, the Accord's 135mm is respectable but not monumental. It's that middle ground where it's not scraping the earth, nor is it vying for a bird's eye view. Among its brethren, it's not the ground clearance champion, more like the reliable everyman of the lineup.

Now, let's pit this middle child against the neighbours. The rivals, such as the Infiniti Q70 perched at 150mm, or the slightly more adventurous Borgward P 100 standing proud at 170mm, make one wonder if the Accord feels a tad underwhelmed. Even the Lada Vesta, with a staunch 178mm, might induce a mild case of envy. However, the Accord doesn’t seem to care much for a competition that's literally more on the level. For instance, comparing it to the lower-slung VW Jetta with its mere 98mm clearance feels unfair, like challenging a skateboard to a speed bump contest. Nonetheless, the Accord, in its comfortable 135mm shoes, walks a fine line - enough to navigate the challenges of daily commutes while not aspiring to mountain goat status.