Vehicle ground clearance - table

If the future owner plans to operate his car in conditions where there are no roads with ideal surfaces, then he should take into account such a significant indicator as ground clearance. This situation is also true for the domestic small car Lada Kalina in hatchback and station wagon body styles, the ground clearance of which will be discussed in our material.

The technical manual of the model indicates the clearance parameter under full load conditions. It will be interesting to analyze the official figures indicated with the results of measurements made using a tape measure. Some enterprising owners manage to increase ground clearance by installing larger diameter wheels, but this “homegrown technology” has its own disadvantages.

What ground clearance did the manufacturer claim for Kalina?

Any manufacturer faces the difficult task of keeping the components located along the bottom “line” of the Lada Kalina car body away from the road surface as much as possible in order to protect them from damage. These are not only suspension components, but also unit trays, exhaust pipes, etc. The issue of “hiding” the fuel tank is especially pressing, since it is no secret that the consequences of its damage will occur.

The manufacturer indicates the clearance value, indicating several control points from which the measurement was made. So in the manual, or more precisely in its section on “main parameters and characteristics” (pp. 133-136), two clearance values ​​are clearly indicated, measured as follows:

• from the road surface to the lowest point of the engine crankcase;
• from a similar point of the transmission unit to a flat road surface.

These values ​​were measured after the weight load on the Lada Kalina car was increased to the regulatory maximum. This parameter can be easily calculated: it is necessary to subtract the curb weight from the total weight value. The load size is affected by the type of motor and level of equipment. On average, this parameter reaches a value of 450-500 kg. The ground clearance value shown in the manual will only indicate its value if the vehicle is loaded with a 500 kg load.

For both body versions of the hatchback and station wagon of the Lada Kalina model in the second generation, the ground clearance is as follows:

• from the lowest point of the motor – 160 mm;
• from the same point of the mechanical transmission – 160 mm;
• from an automatic unit - 145 mm.

If we touch on the Kalina Cross variation, then its ground clearance differs favorably in a larger direction. Here the regulatory values ​​state that this value from the engine crankcase to the road surface is 182 mm, and from the transmission unit - 187 mm. This value is valid for all versions of engines and gearboxes.

The role of ground clearance in car design

I’ll explain it to beginners! Guys, ground clearance is not some kind of detail, you can’t pick it up, but you can see it!

The domestic GOST explains this concept as the distance between the road and the lowest point of the car and there is nothing to add here, everything is simple and clear!

The value of ground clearance plays a vital role in any car, because its value has a direct impact on such key characteristics of the vehicle as cross-country ability, maneuverability and stability. Therefore, the size of the ground clearance is no less significant a parameter than the same engine size or power.

It would seem that everything is simple, clearance is measured in millimeters, sometimes in centimeters, in principle, it is not so important for those who studied at school. However, the fact that there are many body kit elements in the design of the car can be misleading, where should you measure it? From the crankcase, bumper, exhaust system, transmission or suspension arms? Very soon we will return to this issue and everything will become clear.

Now I would like to draw your attention to the vehicle load factor. After all, you must agree that the number of kilograms taken on board by the “iron horse” determines how much its “knees” (figuratively speaking, of course), in our case the springs, will “bend”, and this, in turn, has a direct impact on the amount of ground clearance.

So the problem is that most automakers on the planet do not have a unified position on this issue, so sellers manage to manipulate the key characteristics of the vehicle.

As for the Russian Federation, we have a certain standard (P50182-92), which states: ground clearance is determined exclusively when the vehicle is fully loaded, not only with passengers, but also with the trunk. In fact, with us, as always, official dealers, when measuring, take into account only 75 kg of weight per driver (where did they see such drivers in Russia) and the weight of a full fuel tank. I won’t even talk about an ordinary car dealership; they won’t take this into account either; they will measure the ground clearance of an empty car and empty the tank.

Real car clearance measurements

Let's determine the ground clearance without applying the previously specified regulatory load. How to do it? Let's use a tape measure. We summarize the results of real measurements in a table.

An interesting experiment was carried out, the purpose of which was to check the veracity of the ratio of the ground clearance of the Lada Kalina in its usual version in comparison with the “Cross” version. For this purpose, 4 measurements were performed. The ground clearance was measured from the road surface to the side sill with the preliminary installation of a jack. For the purity of the experiment, it was necessary to place both cars in identical conditions. Both Kalinas were presented for testing with empty interiors and luggage compartments, as well as with a minimum of fuel in the tanks.

The regular version of the Kalina was shod with 14-inch radial tires of 175 width and 55 profile. The “cross” variation received 15-inch tires, the width and profile dimensions of which were respectively “195x55”.

The first to be measured was the Lada Kalina 2 in its standard version. In the no-load state, the ground clearance reached 198 mm. During the measurements, the “cross” version received a ground clearance of 217 mm.

At the next stage, 4 people were seated in the test cars one by one. When loaded, a regular station wagon gave a ground clearance of 170 mm. When Kalina Cross was loaded, the clearance level dropped to 192 mm. As a result, the additional weight managed to lower the ground clearance of the regular version by 28 mm, and the Cross version by 25 mm. Here, a modified suspension and wheels with a larger diameter played a role.

Ground clearance for a regular Vesta

What is the ground clearance of the Lada Vesta? Keeping in mind the quality of domestic roads, AvtoVAZ engineers, when designing the Vesta model, which became a revolutionary breakthrough for Togliatti designers, planned its ground clearance of 171 mm when loaded. But, these parameters were stated based on 16-inch wheels, but in fact, the installation of 15-inch wheels is now practiced, so Vesta’s ground clearance turned out to be slightly less than originally stated.

Of course, high ground clearance has its advantages, especially for residents of the outback who also want to drive modern sedans. But, high ground clearance also has disadvantages that appear during dynamic driving. For example, handling, chassis energy consumption, and ride comfort noticeably deteriorate.

But, the designers of the Lada Vesta managed to find a “golden mean”, bordering between controllability, comfort and maximum ground clearance. The model handles quite well, and at the same time, it can overcome noticeable road irregularities without causing much discomfort to passengers. Increasing the ground clearance of the Lada Vesta is possible with the help of additional spacers, but then the driving characteristics of the car will change greatly.

So the engineers did their best and achieved significant results, which is confirmed by a comparative analysis with famous foreign cars. If we take a car with similar characteristics, then we can note that the Lada Vesta, in terms of ground clearance, is higher than the Nissan Almera, and has almost caught up with the Datsun on-Do sedan, with its 174 mm, which is the leader in this indicator in this class of cars.

How to influence the clearance level?

How to increase the clearance in your car? If you install wheels with an increased diameter and profile, then the ground clearance will certainly “increase”. It is interesting to consider an example of such forced action when using wide 215x55xR15 tires. With an increase in profile by 5%, the increase in clearance is 1 mm. Adding another five percent to the profile will increase the clearance by 2.5 mm.

If you are inclined to increase the wheel size, you should take a look at the factory recommendations. The maximum size of factory-installed tires reaches 185x60xR14 for the standard version of the Lada Kalina 2 and 185x55xR15 for the Cross version. Theoretically, it is possible to install a tire size of 195x40xR17, however, one should take into account the risk of tires hitting the wheel arches when driving over uneven surfaces and other consequences for the suspension that can cause its premature wear due to the increased weight of the wheels.

Also, an increased tire height can shift the center of gravity upward, which will worsen handling. Another important aspect is the danger of deformation of the rubber profile of the tire under the influence of the same increased weight. Here again there is a risk of rollover when cornering at increased speed, because body roll inevitably increases.

Let's also note the positive aspects of the larger wheels. This is not only an increase in ground clearance, but also an improved ability of the body as a whole to perceive unevenness in the road surface. The ride of the car is soft and smooth. Now you know how to increase the clearance of Kalina.

Let's sum it up

Increasing the ground clearance of the Lada Kalina 2 should be approached as carefully as possible. There is no point in going to extremes here, since the owner in this case assumes responsibility not only for his own safety, but for his companions on the road.

High vehicle clearance is a fairly significant advantage that sets such vehicles apart from cars with low ground clearance . After all, it is this indicator that largely affects the vehicle’s cross-country ability, which is especially important for those. who likes to drive not only on the highway and in the city, but also off-road. The very concept of clearance migrated to us from English.

SUVs with high ground clearance

As a rule, if they are looking for high ground clearance, then they pay attention to SUVs (in this case, preference should be given to all-wheel drive models).

This option has excellent cross-country ability, so you can drive your car to any place without any problems, and then get out of there.

In the conditions of the domestic off-road conditions that are familiar to all of us, you won’t find a better option.

Next is a video about cars with high ground clearance:

Chevrolet TrailBlazer

When discussing cars with high ground clearance, we should start with this model. The ground clearance here reaches 25.5 cm, and this is also accompanied by good wheelbase characteristics - 28.45 cm. As a result, this car can easily conquer peaks.

This is complemented by high-quality interior design, a powerful engine, as well as an original and memorable appearance, which makes the model one of the most popular in its segment.

Mercedes-Benz GL

Next in our rating of cars with high ground clearance is a representative of the German automobile industry with a clearance of 28.5 cm. The presence of all-wheel drive, rich equipment and stylish interior design are included. In addition, the model pleases with excellent filling - the Mercedes is equipped with modern equipment.

At the same time, if you are looking for an inexpensive crossover with high ground clearance, then the Mercedes-Benz GL will not suit you - this vehicle belongs to the premium segment. At the same time, this affects not only the cost, but also the excellent parameters in which the car outperforms most competitors.

Infiniti QX80

It is the largest Japanese SUV in the premium segment. Naturally, such elite models are not designed to drive through a swamp, but if Infiniti gets off-road, it will be able to overcome almost any obstacle.

A high ground clearance of 26.3 cm, a powerful engine, excellent suspension, large wheels, and electronic all-wheel drive control systems help achieve this. As a result, the car guarantees a comfortable and safe ride in any conditions.

From high to low clearance

If you are really thinking about purchasing a new car and are trying to find the best option in terms of not only price, but also ground clearance, I recommend taking a look at the tables I provided! With their help, you won’t have to crawl under a car with a tape measure in your hands at a car dealership; you’ll find out everything here and now. First, look at the height of cars under the class b category.

As you can see, the Mini-Cooper turned out to be small not only in words, but also in deeds - 120 mm. Renault Logan and Daewoo Nexia, popular in our area, have ground clearance of 155 and 158 mm, respectively. Well, the leader was the Ford Fusion with its 175 mm.

The best crossovers with high ground clearance

Crossovers are an excellent alternative to SUVs when you are looking for an economical car with high ground clearance.

In fact, they represent station wagons with increased ground clearance and all-wheel drive. With such a car, not only can you overcome any obstacle, in addition, it has excellent handling, especially in the cold season.

Volkswagen Touareg

The ground clearance of this German is 26.2 cm (previously it was 26.5 cm). At the same time, despite the reduction in ground clearance, the model demonstrates simply excellent cross-country ability. In addition, we are pleased with the rich equipment, as well as a large number of auxiliary options, thanks to which the driving process becomes even easier and more convenient. The advantages of the model include:

• ease of control;
• high driver position;
• excellent assembly;
• good engine dynamics;
• innovative seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The model will cope perfectly with any suburban routes, which makes trips outside the city a pleasant experience. At the same time, such a car is well suited for daily use around the city.

Toyota RAV4

If you are looking for cars with a ground clearance above 170 mm, then you should take a closer look at the Toyota RAV4. The ground clearance here reaches as much as 197 millimeters. Perhaps not the largest figure in our rating, but the wheelbase is 266 cm. Other advantages of the model include:

• the presence of front and rear disc brakes;
• perfect handling;
• huge salon;
• 2.5 liter engine, which is paired with automatic transmission.

Among the minuses, it is worth highlighting the high fuel consumption of the model (in the city it takes about 12 liters). There are no other significant shortcomings.

Audi Q7

The roomy and presentable crossover is distinguished by its huge dimensions. Externally, such a vehicle looks very impressive and menacing, so it bears little resemblance to a passenger car. The ground clearance only further enhances the impression - it reaches as much as 27 cm. Other advantages worth emphasizing:

• all-wheel drive transmission with built-in Quattro system;
• availability of all modern equipment;
• high build quality.

There is nothing scary for the model in any road obstacles. Its quality is confirmed by the high sales of the car - in Europe it is the most popular model in its class.

Land Rover EVoque

But if you are looking for a stylish and fashionable car, then the Land Rover EVoque crossover will delight you with its eye-catching exterior, which will be remembered by everyone. In addition to the external design, it also has good ground clearance, which reaches 22 cm. The car is universal, perfect for both men and women. Other advantages include:

• high-quality sound insulation;
• fairly low fuel consumption (about 10.5 liters in the city, which is not so much for a crossover of this size);
• comfortable and practical interior (inside you will find many useful functional options);
• high-quality engine with a volume of 2.2 liters and a power of 190 horses.

At the same time, it is worth noting that the suspension is quite stiff, which is strongly felt while driving the car.

What's good about high ground clearance?

High ground clearance has always been valued by true car enthusiasts; its high value definitely increases the status of the car, both visually and functionally. You don’t need to go far here, take for example any Lada car and double its ground clearance. I’m sure the car will appear before you in a completely different form, like an SUV. And you, as a driver, will receive a lot of advantages:

• The visibility around the car will increase significantly;
• Getting into the car will become much easier and more convenient;
• The cross-country ability will also please you; the likelihood of “sitting on your belly” in snow or mud will be significantly reduced;
• The front and rear overhang angles will also increase accordingly, which will keep bumpers and body kit elements from colliding with the road surface or curb.
• Increasing the pitch and roll angle will give you some advantage when overcoming road obstacles.

However, there is one significant drawback to high ground clearance; as it increases, the likelihood of the car overturning increases significantly. So, with faulty shock absorbers and too “soft” springs, excessive swaying of the vehicle will be felt already at a speed of 50-60 km/h. Therefore, the cruising speed for cars with such ground clearance is about 100 km/h.

Of course, cars with low ground clearance have lower fuel consumption, they hold the road perfectly, but when encountering even the smallest obstacle, difficulties may arise in overcoming it; I won’t say anything about off-roading at all. Be that as it may, the relevance of the procedure for independently increasing the clearance value has always been at its best, because even the most “worn car” is transformed before our eyes. If you don't mind increasing the off-road effect, on this page you will learn how to increase the disc offset using special spacers. That's all for me, I hope I was helpful. All the best!

Station wagons with high ground clearance

Such vehicles are suitable for people who prefer comfort and convenience when driving a car. And it doesn’t matter whether you are now moving around the city or off-road. The car will be an ideal option for any trip, including trips with the whole family.

Opel Zafira

A comfortable seven-seater car will be an indispensable choice for the whole family. A distinctive feature of the model is the presence of the Flex7 system, thanks to which you can change the interior space of the car at will. The ground clearance here reaches 16 cm. Other parameters can be emphasized:

• good cornering ability;
• spacious interior;
• 1.8-liter engine, which is paired with a manual gearbox;
• Easy to maintain.

As a result, in the Opel Zafira we see an excellent car for the whole family.

Audi A4 allroad Quattro

This high-clearance station wagon is another good representative of the class. The ground clearance here is 18 cm. The presence of full permanent drive, as well as air suspension, further increases the vehicle's maneuverability.

The Lada Vesta Cross sedan will receive off-road ground clearance

If we know almost everything about the Lada Vesta Sport sports sedan thanks to numerous leaks in the databases of Rosstandart, Rospatent and supplier catalogs, then the future of the cross-version of the sedan has still remained vague.

Raised sedans are generally rare on the market; in fact, there is only the large Volvo S90 Cross Country, which plays in a completely different league than VAZ products. Therefore, the appearance of a production version of the Lada Vesta Cross sedan was in question.

But, judging by the Vehicle Type Approval (VTA) that appeared in the Rosstandart database, the plant nevertheless decided to introduce such an unusual modification. The dimensions of the car coincide with the dimensions of the Lada Vesta SW Cross station wagon, with the exception of the height (1526 versus 1537 mm), which is due to the fact that the cross station wagon was initially certified with luggage rails on the roof. Thus, it turns out that the ground clearance of the Lada Vesta Cross sedan will exceed 200 mm: a completely off-road indicator!

AVTOVAZ has certified the cross-sedan with both engines that it offers for other versions of Vesta: a 1.6-liter with 106 hp. and 1.8-liter, 122 hp.

For the first time, Lada Vesta project manager Maxim Sarzhin announced that the car would become a production car in October last year. Thus, we can assume with a fair amount of confidence that the car will hit the market in the near future. Most likely, it will be produced in rather limited editions and only in an expensive configuration with heated second row of seats, two-tone interior design, 17-inch alloy wheels, etc.

• In July this year, AVTOVAZ will begin production of the Lada XRAY Cross, which was shown as a concept in 2021.
• Another new product should be the updated Lada Granta. The plant has already launched prototypes for road testing.

The best all-wheel drive minivan with high ground clearance

If we talk about minivans with high ground clearance, it is quite difficult to find a new car - most likely, you need to look on the secondary market. Despite this, there is quite a lot of interest in such vehicles, so some very good models can be found.

Citroen C8

One of the best options for regular travel. The ground clearance of the model reaches 19 cm, so you can drive it anywhere. Many also speak highly of the Citroen C8 due to its elegant exterior.

The inside of the cabin is quite spacious; if desired, you can conveniently adjust and move the seats back. The car also performs well on the move, while delighting with excellent handling. In principle, there is nothing more you could want from a car of this class.

Toyota Sienna

In our country, such a car is quite expensive, so there is not that much interest in the model. At the same time, if we talk about the characteristics of the vehicle, they are quite good. There is a wide range of power units to choose from, all of which demonstrate high reliability and quality.

There are both all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive models. The engines are paired with only an automatic gearbox, which many consider as a minus, but there are no complaints about the controls.

Renault Espace

The model's ground clearance reaches 12 cm. This large and comfortable car copes well with off-road conditions. It is also worth highlighting the spacious and comfortable interior, as well as the presence of a 1.9 liter diesel engine, which shows good power and dynamism.

For many, this car is associated with a cruising yacht, and this is not in vain, because both the appearance and the level of comfort are simply excellent.

Myths about ground clearance: advertising and real figures

I never cease to be surprised when I once again come across a discussion on the World Wide Web about the ground clearance of passenger cars. People cite numbers from instructions and advertising brochures as arguments, without even suspecting that ground clearance is perhaps the most crafty parameter. And the numbers, which are objective at first glance, very likely do not express anything.

LADA > XRAY

LADA > Kalina

LADA > Vesta

Renault > Sandero

It is for this reason that many manufacturers try not to list ground clearance in technical specifications. Others are not shy about specifying ground clearance, but they often do it clumsily.

Let's look at a few examples. Let's take the most common cars and far from the lowest ones.

So, Renault Sandero. We read - “the ground clearance of the new Renault Sandero, 155 mm with a load, makes it possible to easily overcome obstacles on the road.” It's in advertising. The instruction manual attempts to clarify: under what, excuse me, load? - fails. There is not a line about ground clearance in the technical specifications.

Lyrical digression 1

. Obviously, no one needs the ground clearance of a car with curb weight - cars don’t drive on their own. Someone is bound to plop down on the seat and slightly compress the suspension springs. That is why, even if it is customary to indicate ground clearance, it is with a full load. So to speak, the minimum value of the parameter. And in statics. But this figure, of course, is often “forgot” to indicate. Because data under full load does not impress the consumer.

But let's return to Sandero. During one of the tests, we measured its ground clearance both with curb weight and with a full load. The distance from the floor to the bottom of the car (engine protection) is 160 and 135 mm, respectively. Question: under what pressure did you get the 155 mm indicated on the manufacturer’s website?

Let's take its brother Sandero Stepway - a hatchback with exaggerated off-road qualities. The promise is 195 mm. In reality, the result is 198 mm without load and 175 mm under full load. In principle, the latter indicator is good, but somewhat different from the advertising one. Please note that under load, both Sanderos “squat” by almost the same amount - 23–25 mm.

Lada XRAY is a co-platform with Stepway. Their data should be similar. Let's see how VAZ got out? Ground clearance according to advertising materials is 195 mm. The operating instructions state: “The ground clearance at full load under the engine crankcase is greater than or equal to 195 mm.” We take a ruler in our hands and get 190 mm with curb weight under the engine mudguard! You don’t have to suffer any further - it will sag under load to its 170–175 mm.

High clearance sedans: the most popular models

Compactness and affordable cost have made such cars one of the most popular in our country. In addition, the models stand out for their attractive appearance, representativeness and ease of maintenance.

In addition, all-wheel drive sedans with high ground clearance demonstrate excellent cross-country ability.

Now we will discuss models that will delight us with their ground clearance.

Volkswagen Polo

The ground clearance of this model reaches 17 cm. Combined with high-quality assembly and excellent dynamics, this makes the car an excellent option for driving both on the streets and off-road. Among the main characteristics of the model it is worth highlighting:

• engine with a volume of 1.6 liters and a power of 105 horsepower;
• manual five-speed gearbox (or 6-speed robot);
• good dynamics (with a manual you can take a hundred in 10.5 seconds).

Chevrolet Lanos

First of all, it is worth emphasizing the affordable cost of the model, especially if you look closely at the secondary market. Many people don’t like the design of the car, but this is a matter of taste and preference. In any case, a sedan with a ground clearance of 16 cm deserves your attention. In addition, the model pleases us:

• 1.5 liter engine and 86 horses;
• high-quality five-speed transmission;
• good dynamics (acceleration to 100 km/h will take 12.5 seconds);
• quite comfortable fit.

At the same time, the car takes quite a lot of fuel - in city conditions, some models require about 10 l/100 km.

Toyota Camry

This high-clearance sedan has become an incomparable world leader in many respects. The machine pleases with its performance and excellent functionality. The design is classic, but this is only for the benefit of the car. It especially stands out for its high-quality assembly.

Of the main parameters, it is necessary to say about:

• ground clearance of 16 cm;
• convenient disembarkation and embarkation;
• wide selection of high-quality motors;
• excellent gearboxes that are designed to save fuel;
• presentable appearance;
• relatively low cost (about 998 thousand rubles).

An increased level of comfort allows you to enjoy traveling in a premium car even when purchasing the basic version.

Nissan Almera

To be honest, the ground clearance here is not that great - only 15 cm. At the same time, this is quite enough to feel comfortable in the city. On the other hand, the model has a lot of other positive qualities:

• powerful 1.5-liter engine and 102 horses;
• excellent dynamics (with mechanics, 100 km is taken in 10 seconds);
• spacious fuel tank (50 l);
• the ability to choose a model with automatic transmission or manual gearbox);
• stylish appearance.

In addition, you need to take into account that this vehicle is a Japanese car, which indicates its quality and reliability. In addition, you can feel good in this Nissan even while driving with not very high-quality fuel.

Fiat Punto

This compact Italian car has a ground clearance of 16 cm and an economical engine. Main parameters:

• 1.3 liter engine and 85 horses;
• five-speed manual transmission;
• acceleration to hundreds in 13.1 seconds;
• excellent efficiency (in the city it takes 4.4 liters, outside the city - 2.9 liters).

High clearance hatchbacks

Such vehicles are in great demand in our car market. First of all, they are distinguished by additional engine crankcase protection, as well as a body kit and attractive appearance. Now about models with the highest ground clearance .

Skoda Fabia Scout

A compact and cozy model, the ground clearance of which reaches 15 cm. This allows you to feel comfortable even when driving on roads with large holes. But since there is only front-wheel drive, you shouldn’t overuse travel through the wilds.

The 1.2 liter engine has a power of 105 horsepower. Good body kit pleases. The plastic bumper is practically scratch-resistant. The motor has good traction, so the driver can get a lot of positive emotions.

Opel Mokka

If you want to pick up a hatchback with high ground clearance, then take a closer look at the Opel Mokka. The ground clearance here reaches 17.5 cm. There are 3 gasoline engines to choose from, and all-wheel drive is also pleasing, even in the basic configuration.

In addition, it is worth highlighting quite good functionality and modern equipment. The cost is also relatively low - from 775 thousand rubles.

Suzuki SX4

This model also has a ground clearance of 17.5 cm. This is quite a decent figure for a hatchback. Our country is supplied with cars with a 1.6-liter engine and 112 horses.

Transmission options include either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. In general, a fairly good representative of the class.

The best small cars with high ground clearance

It is generally accepted that excellent cross-country ability and high ground clearance are the destiny of powerful SUVs. At the same time, there are also some small cars that can boast of their good characteristics.

Daewoo Matiz

The ground clearance here reaches 15 cm, and the wheelbase is 234 cm. In addition, we are pleased with the efficiency of the model, as well as the presence of an independent suspension. Other advantages can be emphasized:

• presence of rear window heating function;
• the ability to change the position of the headlights;
• door lock function.

Perhaps not the most luxurious model, but for 300 thousand rubles. you are unlikely to find anything better.

Fiat 500

Everyone loved this legendary car. The three-door model with a ground clearance of 13 cm has become popular all over the world. The ground clearance is not too high, but for such a miniature vehicle it is quite enough. It will cost almost 2 times more than the Daewoo Matiz, but the functionality is much more solid. Including, the model has:

• air conditioner;
• airbags;
• ABS and BAS.

The 1.2-liter engine delivers 6.2 liters in the city and demonstrates even greater efficiency on the highway. There is also a 1.4 liter power unit, which has improved dynamics.

Summing up

Good ground clearance means that the vehicle's maneuverability increases significantly. As a result, you can drive on any off-road without fear, without fear that the muffler or other elements located on the bottom of the vehicle will be damaged.

We have presented you with a list of models that are distinguished by good ground clearance, functionality and attractive appearance. All of them are perfect for driving around the city and for trips into nature.

Video review about high-clearance sedans:

Lada Vesta ground clearance

Lada X Ray Cross

Lada Vesta is a Russian car that began production in September 2015. Its sales started two months after the start of production. AvtoVAZ carefully hid the technical characteristics of the car until the last moment. The manufacturer presented a raised sedan called Lada Vesta on September 24, 2015 with a video presentation of a test drive on the roads of Italy. Only after the presentation it became clear that a fairly significant player from a domestic manufacturer had appeared on the market, which in terms of price and quality could compete with many foreign car brands.

Why is clearance needed and what does it affect?

Clearance is explained by GOST as the distance between such parts of the car as the supporting surface and the lowest point of the central part of the entire structure. Simply put, this is the distance that separates the prospect of damaging the lowest part of the car and the road surface. More often, this concept can be heard in such a form as ground clearance - it is more understandable, easier to remember and therefore used with great pleasure.

The amount of ground clearance is a very important characteristic for any car, as it significantly affects stability at high speed, cross-country ability, and maneuverability. And these, without a doubt, are the indicators that can demonstrate the car in the best light. As for cross-country ability, it can be increased along with an increase in value. By the way, this can be done while driving – on some cars.

As a rule, ground clearance is indicated in millimeters, sometimes also in centimeters. It is also common practice to notify car owners about two values ​​- clearance under the front and rear axles. Sometimes they even indicate the clearance that is under the engine crankcase.

To make it easier to characterize clearance, in the future, using a table, a conditional classification of this characteristic should be given. In general, ground clearance can be divided into three categories: high (SUVs and SUVs), medium (crossovers and SUVs), small (passenger cars). And now regarding the specific values ​​of ground clearance under the front bumper:

1. 20-35 cm for SUVs.
2. Not less than 18 cm and not more than 25 cm for SUVs.
3. 14-20 cm for cars.

As for the oil pan, these are the following values:

• From 20 cm for SUVs;
• From 17 to 21 cm for SUVs;
• From 12 to 17 cm for passenger cars.

What can we perform there?

The first thing that will suffer when encountering a deep pothole or an open sewer hatch is, of course, the front bumper. As soon as the car dives into such a hole (look at the photo), you are guaranteed a split bumper. Let's not talk about dented wheels and sills now.

There are no general standards, but there are average values ​​for cars, family cars, and SUVs that reflect the ground clearance (distance from the front bumper to the asphalt):

• for SUVs from 18 to 35 cm;
• for passenger cars from 13 to 20 cm.

Next in line for the “breakdown”, and in the direction of travel, we have the oil pan. That's who gets it to the fullest. No, no, you’ll hear from a friend that he broke through the pan. And this is already a very expensive repair. The pan itself, changing the oil, or even worse, if you didn’t immediately notice the breakdown and drove for some significant distance without oil. Quite often, the clearance between the pan and the ground is even less than from the bumper. To be precise, it is not the pallet itself that sticks out, but its protection. But it’s better to let the ground clearance decrease slightly, by a few centimeters due to protection, than to drive at the risk of damaging the pan.

Here the values ​​are almost the same:

1. for an SUV on average from 17 cm;
2. for a passenger car from 12 cm.

Elements of the front suspension of some cars (levers, rods) can also significantly reduce ground clearance. Don’t forget about the muffler with a resonator, which, although recessed into the bottom, can easily get caught on the road on some car models.

At one time, as the owner of a VAZ 2112 car, during a year of operation, I managed to puncture the gas tank three times. This is all to blame, of course, for the disgusting directions and also weak rear springs, because of which the ground clearance in the middle part of my car was indecently small, and at any opportunity I clung to obstacles with this element. After the third time, I was already seriously concerned about this issue (I still think, why not after the second), and I changed the springs along with the tank. I installed new ones from model 11, since it is half a turn longer. I really don’t know if this solved the problem, because I sold the car almost immediately.

Comparative table of car clearance

A comparative analysis of the ground clearance of various cars allows us to enclose all these values ​​in a table, which is given in this material. The table will show the lowest and highest ground clearance values ​​of all three groups of cars given earlier.

The list of SUVs characterized by the highest value should undoubtedly include the following: Land Rover Defender (25 cm under the front bumper, 43 cm under the fuel tank), UAZ Hunter (20.5/40 cm), Nissan Patrol Y62 ( 28.5/30.5 cm), Mercedes-Benz GL500 (28.5/29.7 cm), Volkswagen Touareg (26.5/30 cm).

As for SUVs and crossovers, the table can be explained by two criteria: cars with ground clearance less than 18 cm and more than the same value.

The first group includes the following models: Infiniti EX (14.7 cm), Honda CR-V and Nissan Juke (17 cm), Kia Sportage (17.2 cm), Lifan X60 (17.9 cm), Skoda Yeti and SsangYong Actyon (18 cm).

Second group: Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento (18.5 cm), Chery Tiggo and Suzuki SX4 (19 cm), Mitsubishi ASX (19.5 cm), Toyota RAV4 (19.7 cm), Suzuki Grand Vitara, Volkswagen Tiguan and Nissan Qashqai (20 cm), Renault Koleos (20.6 cm), Mazda CX-5, Nissan X-Trail and Renault Duster (21 cm), Range Rover Evoque (21.2 cm), Subaru Forester and Mitsubishi Outlander ( 21.5 cm), Subaru XV and Land Rover Freelander (22 cm).

The group of average passenger cars, the indicator of which is within 14-20 cm, includes the following: Chevrolet Cruze and Daewoo Matiz (15 cm), Kia Spectra (15.5 cm), Lada Kalina (15.8 cm), Chevrolet Lanos and Hyundai Solaris (16 cm), Volga GAZ-24 (17.4 cm), Hyundai ix35 (17.5 cm), VAZ-2110 (18 cm), Renault Sandero Stepway (19.5 cm).

A separate category of “passenger cars” whose ground clearance exceeds 20 cm includes: Renault Duster and SsangYong Kyron (21 cm), Ford Explorer (21.1 cm), Toyota Land Cruiser 200 (22.5 cm), and UAZ breaks all records -469 with a value of 30 cm.

Speaking about the highest ground clearance values, it should be noted such a serial vehicle as a row crop tractor. Their clearance can reach 50-70 cm, and for special ones even 200 cm.

This comparative analysis showed that ground clearance is an individual indicator for each car. Despite the fact that, depending on the purpose of the car, its dimensions and other features, ground clearance can be combined into three groups, this distribution is still conditional. Primarily due to the fact that, depending on the model, ground clearance, for example, in passenger cars can reach values ​​even higher than in crossovers. Therefore, before buying another new car, car enthusiasts are advised to check the clearance values ​​- this is in their own interests.

Dimensions of crossovers in comparison (table). We continue to choose a crossover

The external dimensions of an automobile are important, especially in urban environments, where you have to squeeze into narrow parking spaces between cars and maneuver through courtyards. In order to understand which size of car is compact and which is large, we have made a table with the sizes of crossovers.

The table of crossover dimensions continues the topic of choosing a crossover based on parameters and efficiency.

Some of the crossover length comparison results were a little surprising. For example, the seven-seater Skoda Kodiak was only 9 cm longer than the Toyota Rav4, but 21 cm longer than the Hyundai Tucson.

Hyundai Tucson 4480 mm

Volkswagen Tiguan 4486 mm

Ford Kuga 4524 mm

Toyota RAV4 4605 mm

Skoda Kodiaq 4697 mm

At the same time, the internal space in the cabin is not necessarily proportional to the external dimensions. There are many examples where the interior is more spacious in smaller cars. So, when studying the dimensions of a car, you need to understand that these are external dimensions that allow you to understand how much longer and wider your future car is than your current one and how much more difficult it will be to squeeze between other people’s cars left in the yard or to parallel park. It’s impossible to squeeze an Audi Q8 into a place where a Hyundai Creta just barely fit.