Cars with high ground clearance have significant advantages over cars with low ground clearance. The word itself came to us from the English language. Ground clearance is the distance from the lowest point in the vehicle structure to the supporting surface. The lowest point is located in the central area of the car's bottom, many car owners get confused, and I consider the car's bumper to be the starting point. This is not true. Mudguards and wheels are not included in the control zone. Therefore, it is so important to take into account the central rectangle between the inner surfaces of the wheels as a reference point.
The significance and all the advantages of a car with high ground clearance can hardly be overestimated. Today, many Russian car enthusiasts dream of getting behind the wheel of a car that will not be afraid of snowdrifts and already annoying potholes on the highway. Cars with high ground clearance practically do not suffer from damage to the bumper, components and assemblies located under the bottom. But in times of crisis, many people cannot afford such cars. Let's try to find out which cars can rightfully consider themselves leaders in this segment, while combining high ground clearance and an affordable price.
High clearance sedans
Sedan cars are most widespread throughout Europe. Such cars have a presentable appearance and are convenient to move around a densely populated city. For many people, vacations outside the city fade into the background, but in everyday city life, a sedan with high ground clearance is becoming increasingly important for them. After all, sometimes you have to park along the curb, and the level of asphalt in big cities is not always of high quality.
Hyundai Solaris
The Hyundai Solaris sedan has a good ground clearance of 160 mm. For cars with this type of body, the ground clearance varies from 14 to 20 cm. Hyundai Solaris is loved by domestic car owners due to its attractive appearance, comfortable and spacious interior.
The car has excellent dynamic characteristics. Other benefits of Solaris include:
- Option to choose from a 1.6-liter or 1.4-liter engine. The first produces a power of 123 hp, and the second version of the engine has a power of 107 horsepower;
- Independent front suspension with McPherson struts;
- Low fuel consumption - 5 liters per 100 km on the highway, and 7.6 in city mode;
- Possibility of choosing a 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic transmission.
Of course, this car has taken a strong position in its segment, and it is likely that it will remain there for a long time.
The advantage of this car is its low price. You can always find great options on the secondary market. However, many are scared off by the design of the car, therefore, Chevrolet Lanos did not live up to expectations. But a sedan with a ground clearance of 160 mm definitely deserves a portion of attention.
Chevrolet Lanos boasts:
- 1.5 liter engine and 86 horsepower;
- Reliable 5-speed gearbox;
- Acceleration to 100 km in 12.5 s;
- Volumetric interior;
- Comfortable seating.
The car is not without its shortcomings. Many are unhappy with Chevrolet Lanos. You can find reviews online that say that Lanos consumes about 10 liters in city mode.
Japanese high-end car with high ground clearance. The Nissan Almera has a lot of advantages over its competitors, but the ground clearance is only 15 centimeters. But this is quite enough for a comfortable ride within the city.
It is worth noting the following advantages of Nissan Almera:
- Powerful 1.5-liter engine with 102 horsepower;
- Acceleration to hundreds with manual transmission in 10 seconds;
- Volume tank – 50 liters;
- Option to choose between a 5-speed manual transmission and a 4-speed automatic transmission;
- Executive design.
It is also worth considering that this is a Japanese car, which means reliability and durability. Nissan Almera copes well with the harsh Russian climate and low fuel quality.
SUVs with high ground clearance
Outside the city, an SUV copes best with off-road conditions. This is an excellent tool for overcoming obstacles in your path. But it’s very difficult to “feed” such a monster in a crisis. But you can’t argue with the fact that an SUV’s high ground clearance is an honor for the car and the owner.
Chevrolet TrailBlazer
A real giant on wheels. Ground clearance is as much as 255 mm. With such a car there are no obstacles to fear. Plus, the wheelbase is phenomenal – 2845 mm. The Chevrolet TrailBlazer combines all the properties of a true mountain conqueror.
A high-quality interior, a powerful engine and a striking appearance make the TrailBlazer one of the most sought-after representatives in its segment.
Chevrolet Niva
This is an excellent family car. Plus, the Chevrolet Niva is an excellent guide when going fishing or hunting.
Let's note the advantages of Niva:
- Availability. A car can be purchased for 510 thousand rubles;
- Ground clearance – 200 mm;
- Good handling, all-wheel drive;
- High-torque engine, presence of differential.
So to speak, the Chevrolet Niva is the best option for those who like to go out into nature with the whole family and visit the far north.
List of high clearance crossovers
Crossovers are putting up a worthy fight to SUVs. In themselves they are station wagons and have high ground clearance. A distinctive feature of the crossover can be considered its excellent handling in the winter season. A prestigious crossover with high ground clearance is worth its weight in gold today.
A true fashionista among crossovers. Land Rover E-Voque has a striking exterior design and a ground clearance of 22 centimeters. The car is perfect for men and women.
Other advantages:
- High-quality sound insulation;
- Efficiency – 10.5 liters in the city, which is a decent indicator for a car of this class;
- Practical interior, high-quality finishing, the presence of various functional features;
- Availability of a high-quality engine: 2.2 liters, 190 horsepower.
But there is also a significant drawback - the stiff suspension, which is quite noticeable on a car of this kind.
You can drive a Toyota RAV4 through any terrain, because the ground clearance is as much as 19.7 centimeters.
Yes, not too much, but what a wheelbase - as much as 2660 mm
Let's highlight the advantages of the machine:
- Front and rear disc brakes;
- Perfect handling;
- Huge salon;
- Engine 2.5 liters, automatic transmission.
Many Toyota RAV4 owners note the high consumption of the car. In urban conditions, in some cases, per 100 km, you will need as much as 12 liters of fuel.
Station wagons with high ground clearance
Universal cars speak for themselves - they are ready for any road surface. Such machines are perfect for those who do not sit in one place. An excellent option for those who like to travel with the whole family.
Opel Zafira
A comfortable car that can accommodate seven passengers. The “feature” of the model is the Flex7 system, with its help you can change the interior space of the car to any size within the body structure.
Let's note the following trump cards of the Opel Zafira:
- Spacious interior;
- Excellent cornering ability, acceptable sound insulation, minimal roll;
- Availability of a 1.8-liter engine paired with a manual transmission;
- Ease of repair and maintenance;
- Ground clearance - 16 centimeters.
We get a decent car for family car enthusiasts.
The elegant Volvo XC70 station wagon was liked by many when it was born. The high ground clearance in the new model is also pleasing – as much as 20 centimeters. In 2015, a version of the car with a turbodiesel engine appeared, which increased the number of car sales.
The owner of a Volvo XC70 will have at his disposal a practical, economical car with all the latest technological innovations.
List of minivans with high ground clearance
An exotic type of car for Russia, but passing by minivans, especially those with high ground clearance, is simply unacceptable. Interest in such cars is growing every year, so we have selected the best cars from this class.
The ground clearance of this vehicle is 120 mm. Renault Espace is a large and comfortable car that is not afraid of off-road conditions. Many people prefer the Renault Espace due to its spacious and comfortable interior. The 1.9 liter diesel engine has excellent power and speed characteristics.
Many people call Renault Espace nothing more than a “cruising yacht”. This is the best high ground clearance minivan available today.
This is a real traveler car. The car's ground clearance is 190 mm, which means you can drive such a car to visit relatives even in the far north. Many people fell in love with this French minivan due to its exterior. The inside of the cabin is cozy and spacious, it is possible to adjust the seats, move them, move them back.
The driving performance of the car is at a high level, good handling, in general, what else does a real traveler need?
Hatchbacks with high ground clearance
Hatchbacks are compact and visually attractive. These cars are in high demand among domestic car enthusiasts. But sometimes the ground clearance of such cars is not very good for our roads. But there are models with high ground clearance.
A compact and cozy hatchback with a ground clearance of 15 centimeters. With such a car, road potholes are not scary. The drive is only front-wheel drive, so driving into deep jungle with such a car is not recommended. The car is equipped with only one type of engine – 1.2 TSI, and the power is 105 horses. A distinctive feature can be considered a good body kit of the car; the bumper is made of durable plastic, it is very difficult to scratch it.
The engine is torquey, driving such a car you get only positive emotions, which is what most Scoda Fabia Scout owners note online. If there are more such cars, then we can say with confidence that hatchbacks with high ground clearance are capable of winning a huge army of fans.
Reliability is the middle name of the Suzuki SX4. For Russians, a car version with a 1.6-liter engine is available. The output is a power motor with a power of 112 horses. As for the transmission, the client holds all the cards. You can choose a configuration with a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic transmission.
The car's ground clearance is 17.5 centimeters, which is quite decent for a vehicle as a representative of the hatchback class.
Small cars with high ground clearance
Small cars destroy all stereotypes. After all, many believe that high ground clearance is for the real giants of the road - SUVs. But, as practice has shown, small cars are capable of combining efficiency, practicality, reliability and high ground clearance. Let us highlight the main representatives from this segment.
The ground clearance of the Daewoo Matiz is about 150 mm, the wheelbase is 2340 mm, independent suspension and low consumption are a bonus for the car owner.
This cozy car is also different:
- Availability;
- Mechanical capability;
- Door lock.
Yes, there is no luxury to be found here. But at a very affordable price of 300 thousand rubles, this is a decent and pleasant set of functions.
A true legend from Fiat. This model is loved by many. Fiat 500 is a three-door hatchback with a ground clearance of 130 mm. Not too much, but enough for a miniature car. The car costs twice as much as the Daewoo Matiz, but it already comes with other functionality in various trim levels.
Fiat 500 is distinguished by the presence of:
- Air conditioning;
- Airbags;
- , B.A.S.
A small 1.2-liter gasoline engine consumes about 6.2 liters in urban conditions. Much less on the highway. You can purchase a Fiat 500 with a 1.4-liter engine, which has impressive speed performance.
Passenger station wagons are not held in high esteem in Russia. Give our customers more sedans, hatches, crossovers and SUVs. But some “sheds” still have a chance to catch on in our market. This is a very narrow and small segment of station wagons, so to speak, slightly off-road.
They are built, as a rule, on the basis of ordinary station wagons, but their ground clearance is increased by upgrading the suspension, protective elements are screwed onto the body and bottom, wheels are installed larger and a little “toothier”, they are certainly equipped with all-wheel drive - and you’re done. Not a crossover or an SUV, of course, but no longer the former passenger car that bows to every bump. Moreover, some of these “sheds” have ground clearance that is the envy of some SUVs. For example, in the same new Volvo V90 Cross Country all-terrain station wagon, the bottom and the ground are separated by as much as 210 mm!
But we've only recently talked about the V90 Cross Country. And this time we’ll look at the same models from other companies.
Audi A4/A6 allroad quattro
Year of manufacture: from 2016/from 2014
Audi has two such “elevated” station wagons, the youngest of which is the A4 allroad quattro (top photo). Its first generation was shown in 2009, and the current one - this year. Differences from the regular A4 Avant station wagon are a protective body kit with extended wheel arches, increased ground clearance to 175 mm and, of course, the proprietary permanent all-wheel drive with a Torsen “self-locking” interaxle. They were also generous with the adaptive suspension. And a whole scattering of units: a choice of two diesel engines with 150, 163, 190, 218 or 272 hp, a gasoline turbo engine with 252 hp, a “robot” or a classic automatic...
Both the A4 allroad quattro and the A6 allroad quattro (pictured) are sold in Russia today, but both have petrol engines only. For the first they ask from 2,739,000, for the second - 3,795,000 rubles.
But the flagship is, of course, the A6 allroad quattro, which was impressive even when it debuted in 1999. The air suspension increased the ground clearance to 208 mm, and all-wheel drive, a 250-horsepower biturbo engine, a 180-horsepower diesel engine, and even a 300-hp gasoline V8. allowed to “light up” both on and off the asphalt. There was even a low gear in the transfer case! The current A6 allroad quattro from 2014 is more modest. There is air suspension, but the ground clearance is a maximum of 185 mm, and the “lowering” has been gone for a long time. But there are many engines left to choose from: a 3-liter diesel engine produces 190, 218, 272 or 320 hp, and a 3-liter gasoline unit develops 333 hp.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain
Year of manufacture: since 2016
Mercedes-Benz looked at its competitors for a long time before deciding to own such an uncharacteristic model. And the company gave birth to its all-terrain “barn” only this year: the newest all-wheel drive All-Terrain model was presented at the Paris Motor Show in September. It is based on the E-Class Estate station wagon, also of a new generation, and the All-Terrain version itself will become a transitional link from it to the GLE crossover. How to recognize on the street? New bumpers with overlays, a radiator grille, a massive body kit made of black plastic, original 19 or 20-inch wheels - all this gives the car away.
Mercedes-Benz All-Terrain may appear in Russia in the spring. True, there are no prices or clear information about what kind of engines there will be yet. Ordinary station wagons will be sold only with gasoline engines.
Plus increased ground clearance, of course. Compared to the regular E-Class wagon, the All-Terrain has 29 mm more ground clearance (15 mm thanks to the suspension settings, and another 14 mm thanks to the higher profile tires). At the same time, the basic equipment already includes Air Body Control air suspension, which can change the ground clearance from 121 mm to a maximum of 156 mm in the All-Terrain off-road mode. Engines - 2-liter diesel engine with output of 194 hp. and 400 Nm, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and providing acceleration to “hundreds” in 8 seconds. Plus a 3-liter V6 with heavy fuel, producing 258 hp. and matching with the same box. Gasoline engines are also expected later.
Opel Insignia Country Tourer
Year of manufacture: since 2013
Introducing the Insignia Country Tourer all-terrain station wagon in 2013, Opel stated that it would compete with no one else, but with the Audi A6 Allroad! To fit into the narrow niche of such cars, the Insignia increased the ground clearance (though only by 20 mm - to 175 mm), and wrapped it in a protective plastic body kit... But otherwise, the Country Tourer remained an ordinary Insignia with a 4x4 nameplate.
The Insignia Country Tourer managed to reach Russia before the crisis, but was not sold for long and left our market along with Opel. A new generation is on the way, but we are unlikely to see it.
The engine range of the all-wheel drive version today includes a 2-liter gasoline turbo engine with 250 hp. and a 170-horsepower turbodiesel of the same volume. Moreover, it is interesting that both engines can be combined with both a 6-speed manual transmission and an automatic transmission! But the move towards Audi, of course, looks too optimistic. The same A6 is noticeably larger than the Insignia (belongs to the E segment, not the D segment), is equipped with more powerful engines and costs much more (which means it is more richly equipped). In reality, the main competitor of the new product is the Alltrack, a similar concept version of the VW Passat station wagon. Which we will get to later.
Skoda Octavia Scout
Year of manufacture: since 2014
Skoda appeared with its “high” station wagon named Scout in 2006 in the second generation of the Octavia model. The ground clearance, compared to a conventional single-wheel drive "barn", was increased by 40 mm, the rear axle drive had a Haldex coupling, the body was protected by plastic linings...
Russian buyers of the Skoda Octavia Scout, alas, have been squeezed by diesel engines: here this station wagon is sold only with a gasoline turbo engine and costs from 1,854,000 rubles.
The company introduced the current Scout in 2014, and the approaches to its creation have not changed. Due to a different suspension, the ground clearance is increased to 171 mm, higher-profile 17-inch tires are installed, and the rear axle, when the front wheels slip, uses the same Haldex, only this time of the fifth generation. The choice is a 1.8 TSI petrol turbo engine with 180 hp. paired with a 6-speed robot, two diesel engines (1.6 liters and 110 hp or 2 liters and 150 hp) with manual transmission and a top-end diesel engine with 184 hp. in conjunction with a DSG gearbox.
Year of manufacture: since 2015
Who in our review really “ate the dog” on all-wheel drive off-road station wagons is Subaru! After all, the company had the first such “shed” back in 1994: the famous off-road version of the Outback was first made on the basis of the Legacy station wagon and over time became a separate model.
Diesel Subaru Outbacks never reached our market, but all petrol variants are sold here. Both are equipped with a CVT and an AST all-wheel drive system with a clutch in the rear axle drive. They will ask from 2,399,000 rubles for a 2.5 liter engine, and the flagship V6 costs as much as 3,399,900 rubles.
The current generation of Outback has been produced since 2014. And under the passenger body there is a ground clearance of more than serious 213 mm, not shameful not only for a crossover, but even for an SUV! And, despite the considerable overhangs of the body, the Outback is very decent
Ground clearance or ground clearance is one of the important characteristics of the car, determining the distance from the road to the lowest point of the central part of the car (for example, differential, axle, gearbox or engine protection).
When choosing a car, many people look at this parameter and take it into account. This is understandable - for Russian roads and off-road travel, high ground clearance will have a positive effect on cross-country ability. Cars with very low ground clearance will simply not be able to pass in some places. It is especially important to choose a car with high ground clearance if you live in a village or plan frequent trips to rural areas and off-road terrain.
If you like a certain car model, but are not satisfied with its ground clearance, it makes sense to check with car dealerships what varieties of this model are available. Many models of modern imported cars come in different versions.
Often for Russia, with our bad roads, many parameters are adjusted, including ground clearance. That is, if for Europe the clearance value is one, then for the Russian version of the car this value may be completely different. Also pay attention to the presence of engine protection. If there is one, check whether the ground clearance has been specified taking this fact into account.
If there is no protection, then think about whether you will install it (in most cases, yes). When installing protection, the ground clearance may decrease by approximately 5-15 mm. There is also the concept of “PPD - bad roads package”; manufacturers of imported cars either include it in a certain model or not. The amount of ground clearance also depends on this.
Ground clearance values for various cars:
| Automobile model | Ground clearance (ground clearance), mm | Comments on cross-country ability |
| Chevrolet Aveo | 150 mm | |
| Chevrolet Cobalt (Chevrolet Cobalt) | 160 mm | |
| Chevrolet Cruze (Chevrolet Cruze) | 140 mm | Usually the plastic “skirt” under the front bumper and the engine protection touch the bumps. You can increase the ground clearance by using spacers, as well as by replacing disks from radius R16 to R17. |
| Chevrolet Lacetti (Chevrolet Lacetti) | 145 mm | |
| Chevrolet Niva (Chevrolet Niva) | 220 mm | |
| Chevrolet Orlando | 170 mm | |
| Ford Focus 1 (Ford Focus 1) | 170 mm | |
| Ford Focus 2 (Ford Focus 2) | 120 mm | |
| Ford Focus 3 (Ford Focus 3) | 140 mm | In Russian versions, the ground clearance of the Ford Focus 3 is increased to 165 mm. The lowest place is the crankcase protection; it is usually the protection that catches road unevenness. You can also damage the bottom of the front bumper, mudguards and sills. |
| Ford Fusion (Ford Fusion) | 160 mm | excellent “cross-country geometry” |
| Hyundai Accent (Hyundai Accent) | 160 mm | |
| (Hyundai ix35) | 170 mm | |
| Hyundai Solaris (Hyundai Solaris) | 160 mm | same ground clearance as Kia Rio |
| Kia Ceed | 140 mm | |
| (Kia Rio) | 160 mm | quite high ground clearance for a car of this class, one of the reasons for the popularity of the model (in addition to appearance) |
| Kia Soul | 165 mm | but you shouldn’t overestimate your strength; such ground clearance will never turn a car into a jeep, even though it is impressive for this class. |
Kia Sportage (Kia Sportage) | 200 mm | |
| Mazda 3 (Mazda 3) | 140 mm | to increase ground clearance, you can install R18 wheels, as well as spacers, which can be found at a price of 900 rubles |
| Mazda 6 (Mazda 6) | 150 mm | |
| (Nissan Beetle) | 180 mm | |
| Nissan Note (Nissan Note) | 160 mm | With such ground clearance you need to overcome obstacles very carefully. In most cases, the thresholds of the car suffer; the engine protection rarely touches road unevenness. |
| (Nissan Qashqai) | 200 mm | crossover with high ground clearance. |
| Nissan Tiida (Nissan Tiida) | 170 mm | Russian version, 150 mm for Europe |
| Opel Astra (Opel Actpa) sedan, station wagon, J | 160 mm | |
| Opel Astra Family | 170 mm | |
| Opel Corsa (Opel Corsa) | 150 mm | |
| Opel Meriva | 140 mm | |
| (Opel Mokka) | 190 mm | if you remove the “skirt” on the bumper, the ground clearance becomes 200 mm. |
| Opel Zafira (Opel Zafira) | 150 mm | |
| Peugeot 308 (Peugeot 308) | 160 mm | |
| Peugeot 408 | 180 mm | |
| (Renault Duster) | 210 mm | very high ground clearance for a crossover, plus all-wheel drive attract off-road and travel enthusiasts. |
| Renault Fluence | 170 mm | |
| Renault Logan 1 (Renault Logan) | 155 mm | |
| Renault Logan 2 (Renault Logan) | 175 mm | |
| Renault Sandero (Renault Sandero) | 155 mm | |
| Renault Sandero Stepway | 175 mm | |
| Skoda Fabia | 150 mm | |
| Skoda Octavia | 140 mm | |
| Skoda Octavia 2 | 160 mm | |
| Skoda Octavia 3 | 155 mm | |
| Skoda Yeti | 180 mm | |
| Toyota Corolla (Toyota Corolla) | 145 mm | |
| Toyota Corolla 2013 (Toyota Corolla 2013) | 150 mm | in adapted versions for Russia, it is possible to increase the ground clearance to 170 mm. |
| Toyota RAV4 (Toyota RAV4) | 190 mm | |
| Volkswagen Polo (Volkswagen Polo) | 170 mm |
How can you increase the ground clearance of your car?
If you bought a car and its ground clearance is insufficient, and you keep hitting some bumps and uneven roads, then you can increase it. To do this, you can buy special spacers to increase ground clearance, which are made of hard rubber and are installed forward, under the rear springs and under the rear shock absorbers.
Typically, the thickness of such spacers is 2-3 cm, and their price is around 1500-2500 rubles for a complete set; the cost may be different, depending on the quality of the material and the car model. But do not forget that installing spacers changes the driving performance of the car and affects wear resistance. If there is a good reason for this, bet. For example, if you drive with a loaded rear axle most of the time, it may be worth installing rear spacers to increase clearance.
It is also possible to install Kevlar protection instead of the usual iron engine protection; its thickness is much smaller, and the material allows it to be located in close proximity to the engine crankcase.
Another way to increase ground clearance is to install larger wheels. For example, if the factory wheels on a car are R16, then you can replace them with R17 wheels. Keep in mind that you need to change both the disc and the tire. A gain in ground clearance when replacing wheels can be achieved within 1-2 cm (10-20 mm).
In general, by and large, if there are no compelling reasons for buying a car with high ground clearance, then you shouldn’t bother with it. Excellent and stylish models of modern cars leave a lot of positive emotions and feelings. Whether or not you catch one of the bumps on our “smooth” roads depends on your driving skills and your sanity. So buy the model you like and enjoy life! 🙂
Buying a car is a very responsible matter, especially since it plays an important role in terms of not only recreation, but also work, making it possible to quickly get to your destination. That is why you should choose a vehicle carefully, adequately and objectively assessing all the pros and cons of a particular model.
In this regard, many motorists, along with the efficiency and comfort of the interior, also pay attention to ground clearance, which is actually very important for domestic roads. For this reason, today quite a lot of people are looking for a budget car with high ground clearance who want to operate the vehicle in a variety of conditions.
How high should the ground clearance be?
The concept of high ground clearance is relative, since everything depends, first of all, on the type of car - passenger car, SUV, SUV, and so on. Each of them has its own average indicators, so when searching for the most suitable car, you should take this into account. If the ground clearance is small, then when you hit a deep hole, you can easily damage the bottom of your car, not counting the most important units and components.
Taking into account the fact that most of our compatriots choose budget cars, potential buyers will be interested in information about high ground clearance. With its help, you can quickly find your way around and choose a budget car with high ground clearance of the type that will perfectly suit a person.
Key indicators of ground clearance for budget cars:
Chevrolet Spark - 135 mm
Kia Ceed (Kia Sid) -140 mm
Kia Picanto - 142 mm
Peugeot 107 - 150 mm
Renault Logan 1 (Renault Logan) - 155 mm
Hyundai Solaris - 160 mm
ZAZ Chance - 160 mm
Fiat Albea - 165 mm
Kia Soul (Kia Soul) - 165 mm
VW Polo Sedan - 170 mm
Renault Logan 2 (Renault Logan) - 175 mm
VAZ 2110 - 180 mm
As can be seen from the above, clearances differ quite greatly from each other, but this is often due to the design features of the car. It should be noted that sometimes, to slightly change the ground clearance in the direction of increasing it, they use tires for the wheels, which are one size larger.
One of the quite popular budget cars with high ground clearance can be called VAZs of the 10th family, which are represented today by the VAZ 2110, 2111, 2112 models. To increase the ground clearance from 180 to 210-220 mm, you can use special spring spacers, which are popularly called "cubes". The only thing you need to remember is that an artificial increase in ground clearance leads to a change in the aerodynamic characteristics of the car.
What are the dangers of low clearance?
The interest of Russians in budget cars with high ground clearance is quite understandable, since if the ground clearance is low, this entails significant dangers. These include, first of all, the likelihood of damaging the underbody when falling into a deep hole, which are quite common on domestic roads.
Another nuisance can be a high curb, which drivers often hit when parking their car. It is the one that is most difficult to notice, especially without parking sensors or an electronic rear view system, and if you run into it, you can even bend or damage the front/rear bumper. So the desire to protect yourself from all these troubles is quite understandable.
In conclusion, it should be noted that when choosing a suitable budget car with high ground clearance, a person should take into account many factors, namely, where exactly he will operate the car (in the city or outside the city), the condition of the road surface in his place of residence and in the area of his work, the need travel outside the city (fishing, hunting, walking).
The Russian bestseller is far from a premium Volvo in every sense - the ground clearance is “only” 17.8 cm. Although this is also very high. It’s curious, but in our rating the flagship sedan of the Tolyatti Automobile Plant is the only representative of the brand. Other VAZ models have much lower ground clearance. , – none of them goes beyond 17 cm.
3. Peugeot 408
“Silver” in the Russian clearance rating is shared with “Vesta” by two Kaluga “Frenchmen”: I. Both rise by 17.8 cm. However, under one condition - if the optional 17-inch wheels are installed. And this is exclusively Russian history. In other markets, cars are not raised and the suspension is not strengthened.
4. Citroen C4
By and large, the 408 and C4 are twins that just look different. Their prices are also comparable. Actually, this is the trouble. Without promotions, Peugeot costs from 1,028,000 rubles, and Citroen – from 922,000 rubles. If it were not for the financial factor, French sedans would be attractive to our customers. Add all-wheel drive – and you can safely sell it with a fashionable “off-road” prefix.
5. Datsun on-DO
It would be hard to call this car “Japanese”. The sedan is nothing more than a converted Lada Granta with a Datsun nameplate. Oddly enough, ground clearance is one of the few advantages of the alien clone. Unlike AvtoVAZ products, the on-DO has a ground clearance of as much as 17.4 cm. However, this did not help it surpass Grant in terms of sales.
Vehicle clearance is a very important concept for drivers in the post-Soviet space. The roads are far from perfect, to say the least. And I don’t even want to think about “convenient” entrances, courtyard alleys and regional “avenues”. So it turns out that the higher the vehicle’s ground clearance, the longer the life of the machine’s units and components. Because the higher the mechanisms are from the road, the higher the obstacle that it can overcome without “catching” it with the bottom.
What is car clearance
So, the distance from the bottom point of the units to the road surface is called clearance. The frequently used phrase “ground clearance” is a Russian synonym, that is, it has the same meaning.
For more comfortable driving, it is better to know the exact ride height. There are certain general standards for SUVs, SUVs, and sedans, as well as factory specifications for each model. General standards will not provide specifics, and factory specifications do not always contain information about ride height.
But there is always a way out; you can independently measure the ground clearance of your own car:
- First of all, you need to remove everything unnecessary from the trunk and interior of the car: tool boxes, child seats, bags of groceries, etc.
- Then check the tire pressure. Flat or overinflated tires will increase or decrease the actual number. If the tire pressure is normal, you can start measuring the clearance.
- Measurements are taken in a special inspection hole. It is important here that the ramps are perfectly level. Using a ruler, we measure the distance under the axles and under the engine, and to be more precise, under its crankcase (this is the most vulnerable spot). The distance to the lowest point will be the clearance height.
- You can measure the average size. This is the distance from the road surface to the bottom of the front bumper.
It should be remembered that ground clearance is measured in millimeters.
Video about what vehicle clearance is
Spacers to increase ground clearance
Often the clearance height provided by the manufacturer is too low for use on domestic roads. However, for many this is not a reason to refuse to buy the model they like. Ground clearance can be increased using special devices - spacers. They are installed on the shock absorber support and bolted to it. Due to this, the pillars become higher and the ground clearance increases.
However, when deciding to install spacers, you should weigh the need to increase ground clearance with some inconveniences that may arise during operation.
Firstly, the center of gravity shifts and the vehicle's stability decreases. Therefore, having installed spacers, you will most likely have to forget about high speeds on turns and turns. In addition, there is a change in geometry. As a result, steering mechanism parts wear out much faster. It is important to clearly determine what is more harmful for a particular car under specific operating conditions.
Comparative table of car clearances to help
In order not to bother with measuring the ground clearance of a particular car brand, you can use a comparison table. This is very convenient, especially when choosing a car to buy.
Small cars with high ground clearance
There is a certain stereotype that a car with high ground clearance is certainly a powerful SUV. However, this is not a completely correct idea. Not always an SUV, and not necessarily with an incredible amount of liters in the engine.
There are many small cars that have significant ground clearance. For example, Renault Logan with an engine capacity of only 1.6 liters has a ground clearance of 175 mm. And the ground clearance of the famous Ford Focus 2 ranges from 110 to 150 mm, with an engine capacity of 1.4 to 1.8 liters.
Using a comparison table of vehicle clearances, it is easy to see that the BMW E 90 has a ground clearance of 142 mm. VAZ cars, designed, by the way, for our roads, have a ground clearance of 160 mm.
High clearance sedans
Many manufacturers focused on the markets of the post-Soviet space have significantly increased the distance from the road to the vehicle components in sedans. Take the Chevrolet Cruze, for example. Just like the Ford Focus 2 and Renault Logan described above, it belongs to small cars. Its sedan models are equipped with 1.6 and 1.8 liter engines.
So, the ground clearance of these cars is 195 mm. This is the average value between the front (160 mm) and rear (200-220 mm) ground clearance. It is also important that the Chevrolet Cruze is equipped with a protective skirt. The distance from the road surface to the protection is 140mm.
Of course, high ground clearance in our country is a solution to many problems. And thanks to existing technologies and professional craftsmen, factory parameters can be changed, but do not forget that any changes in the design of the car affect its performance, and sometimes even cause an accident. Therefore, this operation should be performed exclusively at specialized service stations, by professional technicians.
Therefore, if there is a need for a car with high ground clearance, it is still worth looking for the opportunity to purchase a car with high ground clearance. Any changes to the structural part of the car, including the installation of spacers, should be made only in exceptional cases.
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We sold the all-wheel drive version of the Insignia Sports Tourer station wagon before. However, together with Opel, they decided to make this model more “urban” by taking away all-wheel drive. But they gave the Country Tourer four driving wheels, adding 15 cm of ground clearance to everything.
Clearance: 175 mm (+15mm).*
Four-wheel drive: There is.
Price: 1,339,000 rubles (+425,000 rubles).**
* The difference in ground clearance between the city and off-road versions is indicated in parentheses.
** The difference in the starting price between the city and off-road versions is indicated in parentheses.
Renault Sandero Stepway
A striking example of the successful work of a marketing service. Of course, the Stepway has increased ground clearance, but that’s where the uniqueness compared to the regular Sandero ends. You can call it more “capable”, but only in the context of overcoming city curbs.
Clearance: 175 mm (+20mm).
Four-wheel drive: No.
Price: 489,000 rubles (+125,000 rubles).
|
Clearance: 213 mm (+63 mm). Volkswagen Passat Alltrack
Increased ground clearance, powerful engine and maximum equipment. This is exactly the path that Volkswagen took to transform it from a family station wagon into an all-terrain vehicle. However, this transformation took place only on paper and in advertising brochures; in fact, the car remained the same comfortable and powerful station wagon. But with an impressive increase in ground clearance and price. Clearance: 190 mm (+55 mm). |
Who has more?
Who has more?
Pavel Sedelnikov, published July 24, 2015
Photo: website
Rossover is a good thing, but not always financially feasible. And is it worth overpaying for all-wheel drive and the dubious status of a sub-off-road vehicle, if all the obstacles in your way are bumpy dirt roads and curb curbs? A passenger car will do here - a hatchback or, at worst, a sedan. The main thing is that the gap under the bottom allows you to easily pass hatches “between your legs,” roll into holes and park next to the sidewalk. We compared the ground clearance of all cars officially sold in Russia at a price of up to 600,000 rubles (an “empty” Renault Duster is already sold for this amount) and found several worthy alternatives to SUVs.
Connoisseurs will note that ground clearance is an important, but not the only characteristic of geometric cross-country ability. It is also necessary to take into account the size of the overhangs and the length of the wheelbase - the angles of approach, departure and longitudinal cross-country ability (ramp) depend on these parameters. Alas, such a complete dossier cannot always be found even for models positioned as off-road. In relation to road workers, this data is even more considered redundant. On the other hand, we are not going to conquer sand quarries: if we don’t scratch our bellies on all sorts of household trifles, that’s fine.
According to Russian GOST, the minimum ground clearance is measured under the lowest point of the central part of the car. Moreover, the central point is not the “geographical center” of the entire bottom, but a rectangle, the larger side of which is equal to the length of the car, the smaller side is 80% of the distance between the inner surfaces of the wheels. Because of this, the control zone does not include the wheels themselves, mud flaps, partly the lower arms and other suspension elements, and sometimes the resonator hanging above the ground itself. What’s even worse is that the thresholds, sometimes dressed in low “skirts”, are at risk: they are easily damaged by breaks in the road profile. In general, you should be skeptical about the results of measurements “from the manufacturer” and do not be lazy to study the anatomical features of your own car. Suddenly you have to quickly choose a “trajectory” for a protruding hatch or stump.
Where it would be correct to measure is one question. The second is how. Some companies record the “draft” of a loaded vehicle, without passengers or cargo, while others, like Renault, act more honestly - they take readings at the maximum permissible load. Depending on the method, the “run-up” of the results will be at least 5 mm. Some take the distance from the supporting surface to the engine crankcase or gearbox, while others take the distance from the engine compartment protection, if it is included as standard. This is minus one and a half to two centimeters. It is often impossible to determine which methodology was followed in each specific case, so you should not take the tabular characteristics at face value. The rating below will help you roughly get your bearings, nothing more. In addition to ground clearance, let's compare trunks: this is another reason why people choose a crossover.
| № | Model | Body type | Ground clearance, mm** | Trunk volume, l | Base price, rub*** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Datsun on-DO | sedan | 174 | 530 | 376 000 |
| Datsun mi-DO | hatchback | 174 | 240 | 432 000 | |
| 2 | Lifan Celliya | sedan | 172 | 475 | 509 900 |
| 3 | Skoda Rapid | liftback | 170 | 530 | 559 000 |
| 4 | Ford Fiesta | sedan | 167 | 455 | 525 000 |
| hatchback | 167 | 295 | 599 000 | ||
| Geely Emgrand EC7 | sedan | 167 | 680 | 449 000 | |
| hatchback | 167 | 390 | 449 000 | ||
| 5 | LADA Priora | sedan | 165 | 430 | 421 300 |
| hatchback | 165 | 360 | 429 300 | ||
| station wagon | 165 | 444 | 432 900 | ||
| 6 | VW Polo | sedan | 163 | 460 | 554 900 |
| 7 | Chery Bonus | liftback | 162 | 370 | 389 999 |
| 8 | Changan Eado | sedan | 160 | 510 | 539 000 |
| Chery Very | hatchback | 160* | 380* | 399 999 | |
| Chevrolet Cruze | sedan | 160 | 450 | 543 000 | |
| hatchback | 160 | 413 | 543 000 | ||
| Haima M3 | sedan | 160 | 450 | 559 000 | |
| Hyundai Solaris | sedan | 160 | 470 | 535 900 | |
| hatchback | 160 | 370 | 525 900 | ||
| Kia Rio | sedan | 160 | 500 | 539 900 | |
| hatchback | 160 | 389 | 569 900 | ||
| Nissan Almera | sedan | 160 | 500 | 539 000 | |
| 9 | Daewoo Nexia | sedan | 158 | 530 | 450 000 |
| 10 | Renault Logan I | sedan | 155 | 510 | 379 000 |
| Renault Logan II | sedan | 155 | 510 | 399 000 | |
| Renault Sandero | hatchback | 155 | 320 | 379 000 | |
| 11 | LADA Granta | sedan | 153 | 520 | 332 000 |
| liftback | 153 | 440 | 349 200 | ||
| LADA Kalina | hatchback | 153 | 240 | 377 900 | |
| station wagon | 153 | 355 | 389 900 | ||
| 12 | Kia Picanto | hatchback | 152 | 200 | 489 900 |
| 13 | Chery Bonus 3 | sedan | 151 | 508 | 485 900 |
| 14 | Daewoo Matiz | hatchback | 150 | 155 | 299 000 |
| Geely GC6 | sedan | 150 | 468 | 389 000 | |
| Lifan Solano | sedan | 150 | 650 | 439 900 | |
| Lifan Solano New | sedan | 150 | 650 | 499 900 | |
| 15 | Daewoo Gentra | sedan | 145* | 405 | 419 000 |
| LADA Largus | station wagon | 145 | 560 | 479 000 | |
| 16 | Citroen C-Elysee | sedan | 140 | 506 | 599 900 |
| 17 | Lifan Smily | hatchback | 135 | 300 | 319 900 |
| Lifan Smily New | hatchback | 135 | 300 | 394 900 | |
| 18 | Chevrolet Aveo | sedan | 133 | 502 | 448 000 |
| hatchback | 133 | 290 | 499 000 | ||
| 19 | FAW Oley | sedan | 130 | 450 | 499 000 |
| FAW V5 | sedan | 130 | 420 | 469 000 | |
| 20 | Chery M11 | sedan | 127* | 500* | 489 000 |
| hatchback | 127* | 420* | 499 000 | ||
| 21 | Brilliance H230 | sedan | 114 | 500 | 459 900 |
| hatchback | 114 | 350 | 514 900 |
*Unofficial data
** For models with different ground clearance depending on modification, the average value is indicated
*** Guaranteed price excluding discounts for the year of manufacture, purchase on credit, disposal, trade-in, as well as short-term special offers. Chevrolet models leaving the Russian market are included in the list because the promotion on them is essentially indefinite and will last until inventory is completely sold out
The statistics are openly sabotaged by the Brilliance with a ground clearance similar to that of the Aston Martin DBS, however, the arithmetic average turned out to be quite decent - 144 mm. These millimeters are generally enough if you are a careful driver: at this height, for example, most BMW sedans and station wagons “fly”. And yet, popular experience shows that the optimal value is 160. It is not for nothing that sellers of ten out of fifty cars boast about this figure, millimeter by millimeter.
As for the leaders, the table is eloquent: the Datsuns look down on the rest a little. The five-door mi-DO also has outstanding geometry: the approach angle is 21 degrees, the departure angle is 32. The ramp angle is not indicated in the “certificate data”, but with such closely spaced axles (wheelbase - 2475 mm), driving onto the road from a steep embankment is not a problem . We checked. For comparison: the Kia Sportage crossover, which is highly revered by the people, even on 18-inch wheels, has 2 mm less ground clearance. In terms of approach angle, the “Korean” already loses significantly, about four degrees, and scores a prestige goal only thanks to the short front overhang: the approach angle of the Sportage is 1.7 degrees greater. The on-DO sedan is not as agile on difficult terrain as its five-door brother, but it will carry almost as much stuff as the Kia.
“Silver” and “bronze” are awarded to the Chinese Celliya sedan and the Czech mini-Octavia. However, the difference between the top four is so insignificant that it’s time to choose not by ground clearance, but by body type and personal likes/dislikes. Rearrange the Skoda Rapid from the basic “fourteen” wheels to the 16-inch ones that are in stock, and it’s unknown how the TOP 3 will be reshuffled.
