The SC concept was 3" lower. Can't Honda go any lower. There are kits for 2.5" drop. The SC concept inspired me to go H&R spring route at 1.5R/1.4R" drop. I thought that was modest. I think the front needs lowering to normalize the look. As it stands the Element has a lifted look. There is much more gap at the top than at the sides of tires. Of course many people like that and want that.

The E is pretty low as it is, coming from a CR-V, a pickup, and a Jeep. I'd rather they go a bit higher. Look around at vehicles that come lowered from the factory, and even many that are lowered aftermarket, and you'll see lots of scrapes, cracks, and nicks in the front bumper / air dam area. The Wifey's Mazda5 is already showing quite a few scuffs there, and it's only about a year old.

There is much more gap at the top than at the sides of tires.
Using that gap to judge whether the E is too high or not is a rather superficial criteria. Maybe the problem is that the fender openings are too large or too high. Or maybe Honda should have made the openings more rectangular, as is common on SUVs. Then owners wouldn't be tempted to 'fill' the wheel well.

From a more practical perspective, the gap changes with load, especially in the rear. I worried a bit on my last camping trip that the top gap was too small, because that also implied that the ground clearance (under the rear subframe) was reduced. Admittedly I am one of those who uses his E as though it were an SUV, as opposed to an about-town show car.

paulj

I think you got the 0.7" from ground clearance. SC = 6.2" and LX/EX = 6.9". The SC is lowered 1.5" according to Autobytel (http://www.autobytel.com/content/shared/articles/templates/index.cfm/article_page_order_int/8/article_id_int/2144)

The wheels are 2" bigger, that increases the ground clearance, but does not reflect the suspension drop. The SC tires are lowpro, and have a 1.06" shorter sidewall. That may offset some of the clearance, but all I'm getting at is ground clearance isn't the same thing.

a (very) rough measurement of a 2006 EX and a 2007 SC came up with:

To the fender opening right above the center of the wheel
2006 EX 30.75" at the front wheel and 31.25" at the rear wheel
2007 SC 30" .................................. 31"


-Trevor

Another thing to consider is the overall height.

Element: 71.5"
SC: 69.5"

The roofline was lowered by redesigning the roof panels.

The '07 brochure states SC height is 69.5"

LX and EX = 70.4"