In this guide you can see measurements for Honda Civic ground clearance by year in both inches and mm. Lower down the page I will also explain why Honda Civics are too low to the ground in some cases, and a few notes on how you can make yours higher off the ground.
How high of the ground is a Honda Civic? Depending on the year and model of the Civic, most Honda Civics will have a ground clearance of between 4.9 inches (124 mm) and 6.7 inches (170 mm). The average ground clearance in recent years is 5.3 inches low to the ground.
That’s a very short and generic answer though. What follows are data tables showing Honda Civic ground clearance in inches and mm.
Honda Civic ground clearance in inches
What is the ground clearance of a 2022 Honda Civic?
| Honda Civic type | Ground clearance |
| EX CVT | 6.7 inches / 170 mm |
| Hatchback | 6.7 inches / 170 mm |
| LX | 6.7 inches / 170 mm |
| Type R | 5.2 inches / 132 mm |
What is the ground clearance of a 2021 Honda Civic?
| Honda Civic type | Ground clearance |
| RS / 1.5L / ULP / ULP / CVT Auto | 5.3 inches / 134 mm |
| Hatchback | 5.3 inches / 134 mm |
| Sedan | 5.2 inches / 133 mm |
What is the ground clearance of a 2020 Honda Civic?
| Honda Civic type | Ground clearance |
| Hatchback | 5.3 inches / 134 mm |
| Type R | 5.2 inches / 132 mm |
| Sedan | 5.2 inches / 133 mm |
| RS | 5.3 inches / 134 mm |
For earlier models, I’ve just researched a few examples by year, with ground clearance measurements for the leading models.
| Honda Civic type | Year | Ground clearance |
| Hatchback | 2019 | 5.1 inches / 129 mm |
| Hatchback | 2018 | 5.1 inches / 129 mm |
| Sedan | 2017 | 4.9 inches / 124 mm |
| Hatchback | 2017 | 5.1 inches / 129 mm |
| Hatchback | 2016 | 5.5 inches / 140 mm |
| Hatchback | 2015 | 5.5 inches / 140 mm |
| Hatchback | 2014 | 5.5 inches / 140 mm |
Are Honda Civics low to the ground?
Compared to pick-ups and SUVs, Honda Civics do sit low to the ground. I drive both a Honda C-RV and Civic, and at my age, it’s a pain getting into the Civic due to how low it is.
However, if you compare a Civic to a direct competitor such as a Toyota Corolla’s ground clearance (135 mm), then a Honda Civic doesn’t sit low to the ground. It’s all relative is what I am trying to say.
What is the lowest level Honda Civic?
Based on my research and data tables above, the lowest level Honda Civic of recent years appears to be the 2017 Sedan model. However, people have lowered their Civics to sit closer to the ground than that.
More on the ground clearance of Honda Civics
A car’s ground clearance is determined by the make and model year. Honda’s latest models, such as the 2021 Honda Civic, have a ground clearance of 6.7 inches.
The average ground clearance of a Honda Civic is designed that way to help achieve a balance of safety and performance. The Civic’s low ground clearance mean it will have a low center of gravity.
This can reduce the length of the torque arm by providing the model with low ground clearance compared to other models.
This means the Civic to turn faster and maintain stability while braking and accelerating. As a result, its performance will improve, but this also has its downside.
However, if you a kerb or incline to your home, the low ground clearance of a Honda Civic might be too low and will scrape. If this happens to you, try to approach the bump at an angle.
Does ground clearance matter in snow?
If you’re driving in wintery conditions, a low Honda Civic could be problematic.
Whilst Civics are good(ish) in snow, more ground clearance is considered better in snow, with experts saying 7 to 10 inches is the optimum height off the ground.
Where is ground clearance measured from?
Ground clearance is nearly measured the same as ride height, but there’s a small difference. Ground clearance is measured from the lowest part of your vehicle to the ground.
Is ground clearance important in a low Honda Civic?
Yes, and no. If you’re driving in rough terrain, a low to the ground Honda Civic might cause your problems.Off roading is an absolute no.
I’ve even struggled occasionally on gravel roads with potholes in – you often won’t get very far as the underbody can scrape against the ground.
If you’ve ever hit a deep pothole or a speed bump in a Honda Civic with low ground clearance, you know how costly it can be.
Does the ground clearance of a Honda Civic affect visibility?
As you will understand, ground clearance is important because it helps with balance and driving safety. On the other hand, ground clearance can have a significant impact on visibility too.
Personally, I love driving my Civic, but when it comes to comfort and visibility in traffic, my Honda C-RV always wins out.
How a low to the ground Civic can affect comfort
The biggest complaint I have about Honda Civics sitting low, is it’s harder to get in and out of the vehicle. Twenty years ago, I wouldn’t have even mentioned this, but in my 40s, and that climbing in and out of a seat low to the ground can be a bit much after a long drive.
On the flip side though, I feel like I am driving faster when lower to the ground… and that sometimes appears to my 20-year-old self!
How low can you lower a Honda Civic?
If you do decide to lower your Honda Civic so it’s very low from the ground, then there’s a limit you should reach before things become very problematic. That ground clearance is generally considered to be 1.5 inches, and no lower.
If you lower a Honda Civic lower than that, it could severely impact on ride quality, tire wear and you will also increase the risk of “bottoming”.
Can I raise my Honda Civic?
You can raise a Honda Civic off the ground, but unless it’s been previously lowered and you are raising the ground clearance back to the original height, it’s a bad idea. The reason being you won’t find much support with aftermarket accessories.
If the Honda Civic ground clearance has not been raised by a previous owner, I don’t believe it’s possible to raise the stock suspension.
How do I make my Honda Civic higher off the ground?
If you are looking to make your Honda Civic higher off the ground after it’s been lowered by a previous owner, the best way is to take the aftermarket suspension out and replace with official Honda stock.
Doing so could like raise the car 1.5 inches off the floor after the previously lowered suspension was added.
Why do people sup up Honda Civics?
Drivers love to sup up Honda Civics for a few reasons including engine options, the interior, availability of parts, engine mods being relatively easy, and the VTEC engine.
Unfortunately, this also makes the Civic the United States’ most stolen car. They are stolen and stripped for parts which are then sold on to people making mods and repairs.
Should you choose high or low ground clearance?
Personal preference is key of course… are you the type of person who likes to be close to the ground, or do you want a bird’s eye view?
Whilst movies like the Fast and the Furious make low slung cars look very cool, what’s the practicality?
In this next section I will explain the pros and cons of a Honda Civic that’s too low versus one that is higher off the ground.
Handy Hint: What the rapid beeping means when you walk away from your Civic.
Advantages to a Honda Civic with low ground clearance
- Improved aerodynamics: with less air going under the Civic, you won’t suffer with as much wind drag, and should get faster speeds.
- Improved handling and traction: lowering your Civic should also give you a better handling experience as the tires stick to the ground better with enhanced grip factor.
- Less chance of rolling: with a lower centre of gravity, you reduce the chance of the Civic rolling over in a turn.
- Possibly more comfortable: depending on your personal view, you might actually prefer to sit lower to the ground and find it’s more comfortable.
Disadvantages to a Honda Civic with low ground clearance
- It’s possible the tires will wear unevenly: this won’t always happen, but in many cases a lower Civic will get uneven wear on the tires.
- You might bottom out frequently: when your Civic is lower, you increase the risk of bumping and scraping every time there’s a lift in the road. This can cause expensive repairs to exhausts, oil pans, and much more!
- Problems with lifting and towing: when a car is lower to the ground, it’s harder to tow or lift it without causing damage. When the Civic’s front end is raised off the ground to tow, the rear end will scrape the road (here’s more on Civic towing problems).
Advantages to a Honda Civic that’s raised higher off the ground
- Better visibility: when you’re higher off the ground, not only can you see better, but other drivers will be more aware of you. It’s much safer.
- More scope for where you drive: with a higher ground clearance, your Civic has more options to where you drive it. Whether that’s on uneven roads, or over bumps and obstacles, you will be able to get to more places without damaging the car.
Disadvantages to a Honda Civic that’s raised higher off the ground
- More chance of a rollover: when a car is higher, the centre of gravity goes up. That means you have more chance of rolling over in a turn.
- Reduced handling: cars with higher ground clearance don’t handle as well as those Civics low to the ground.
- Reduced aerodynamics: more wind and air go under the car, reducing your aerodynamics. This can mean you actually use more fuel.
Conclusion
Yes, Honda Civic models do, in fact, sit low. The distance between the ground and the lowest part of a vehicle, excluding the tires, is known as ground clearance. The Honda Civic is widely regarded as a vehicle with “middle-of-the-road” ground clearance.
