Clearance is the distance from the road surface (asphalt, soil) to the lower central part of the vehicle. This is an important characteristic when choosing a car, which directly affects the vehicle’s maneuverability and controllability, behavior on city roads and off-road. Cars with high ground clearance belong to the classes of SUVs and crossovers. However, the interest of buyers in more comfortable and affordable cars has led to the emergence of new subclasses of vehicles - all-terrain station wagons, high hatchbacks with off-road plastic body kits. Such cars are adapted for city use, but if something happens they are ready to drive along broken country roads.

In this article we will talk about the best high-clearance cars from domestic and foreign manufacturers in the following categories:

• sedan;
• compact hatchback;
• all-terrain station wagon;
• urban crossover;
• frame SUV.

Automaker tricks

Ground clearance is measured from the lower central part of the vehicle, which is difficult to determine due to the large number of protruding parts and elements under the bottom of the car. The front part, in which the internal combustion engine is located (for most cars), is taken as the calculation point.

However, a steel structure is also attached to the power unit, protecting the mechanism from direct impacts and dirt. The engine crankcase protection “eats up” part of the vehicle’s ground clearance, and the passport often indicates the ground clearance measured from the bottom of the engine. Consider this fact when buying a car.

Rating of high clearance sedans

1. Lada Vesta

A car with beautiful X-shaped styling and balanced driving characteristics. It has a 2635 mm wheelbase, front-wheel drive and a 480-liter trunk. The ground clearance of the 4-door Vesta sedan is 178 mm, which is more than enough to drive through broken roads with potholes and other defects.

The car comes with 2 gasoline engines of 1.6 and 1.8 liters with a capacity of 106 and 122 hp. respectively. The power units are paired with a 5-speed manual transmission or an AMT robot with the same number of stages.

A car created on the Lada Granta platform and similar to the Russian budget sedan. The main advantage over the domestic passenger car is the presence of a 4-band automatic transmission, offered in the Trust and Dream trim levels.

The updated Granta with a nameplate from another manufacturer is a compact, practical and inexpensive car, characterized by unpretentious operation, adapted to Russian road conditions due to a reliable and repairable suspension, high ground clearance of 174 mm.

It is worth noting that On-DO sedans with automatic transmission are 10-20 mm lower than versions with manual transmission.

3. VW Polo

One of the best representatives of cars in this class. The Volkswagen Polo sedan is an easy-to-drive car, adapted for Russian roads. Meets in Kaluga. Compared to its classmates, it has a rich engine range and a 6-speed automatic transmission. However, the ground clearance is less than that of AvtoVAZ’s flagship, Vesta. It is 163 mm.

Under the hood of the 4-door sedan there is a junior 90-horsepower engine, its powerful version with output of 110 “horses,” or a turbocharged TSI gasoline unit developing 125 hp.

Hatchbacks

First place in the ranking of hatchbacks with high ground clearance. Sandero Stepway is an improved version of the regular 5-door city hatchback Sandero. It does not have all-wheel drive, but thanks to its short wheelbase, high ground clearance and large departure and approach angles, it is ready to drive on moderate off-road conditions. The car is compact, and therefore poorly suited for long-distance travel in a large company, but it is unpretentious in operation and comes with several gasoline engine options to choose from. The most powerful engine is 113 horsepower. Available with manual transmission or 4-speed automatic transmission.

2. Kia Rio X-Line

An off-road version of the city hatchback, designed on the basis of the new Rio sedan. It is 10 millimeters higher compared to the donor model, has different suspension settings and a plastic body kit around the perimeter. Petrol internal combustion engines with a volume of 1.4 and 1.6 liters, developing 100 and 123 hp, are offered as engine units. They are paired with 2 gearboxes - manual (6MT) and automatic (6AT).

Video: KIA Rio X-line test drive. Energy intensity? Testing the suspension.

Already in the basic configuration, the hatchback is offered with leather trim for the gear selector and steering wheel, 2 airbags and air conditioning.

3. Datsun mi-Do

mi-DO is an analogue of Kalina 2 with modest overall dimensions and a small trunk. However, compared to other compact city cars, it has high ground clearance, which makes you feel more confident on poor quality roads.

Under the hood of the Datsun city car there is a non-alternative 87-horsepower 1.6-liter engine. It is paired with a manual transmission and a 4-speed automatic transmission.

Station wagons

1. Volvo V90 Cross Country

Premium all-wheel drive all-terrain station wagon with a large number of safety systems. Suitable for long journeys and long trips, practical and comfortable, capable of driving off-road thanks to its high ground clearance, however, its large overall dimensions (almost 5 m in length!) become an obstacle when making turns in narrow yards.

The engine range includes 2 petrol and 2 diesel units. The top engine develops 320 hp.

The VW station wagon with a powerful 220-horsepower TSI unit has a low ground clearance compared to the Volvo, but has good off-road potential thanks to the 4MOTION all-wheel drive system with XDS electronic differential lock. The car is dynamic and copes well with sudden overtaking. Accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds.

The starting price of an all-terrain station wagon from Volkswagen is 2,199 thousand rubles.

The car, which is built on the Legacy platform, has high ground clearance and a permanent all-wheel drive system. Available with 2 power units to choose from, including a powerful 260-horsepower 3.6-liter engine. The engines work only with the Lineatronic CVT gearbox, which significantly limits the off-road capabilities of the station wagon, because... The variator does not tolerate increased loads and does not tolerate “slippage”.

The best off-road crossovers

1.Volvo XC60

The younger brother of the flagship XC90 pleases with its beautiful design and great off-road capabilities. Compared to the previous generation model, it has grown in volume. However, the ground clearance of the new XC60 has decreased by 14 millimeters.

Video: Review and test drive of the new Volvo XC60 2018!

Under the hood of the Swedish crossover lies one of 4 engines. The most powerful is 320 horsepower. It works with an 8-speed automatic transmission and, despite its high dynamics, has economical fuel consumption (8 l/100 km in the combined cycle).

2. Land Rover Evoque

An urban crossover of compact overall dimensions relative to other representatives of the Land Rover brand. Equipped with a 9-speed automatic transmission and a large number of gasoline and diesel power plants to choose from.

The advantages of the model are its bright design, powerful engines and balanced driving characteristics for comfortable city use and confident driving on moderate off-road conditions.

3. Renault Duster

Third, prize-winning place in the ranking with a ground clearance of 205 mm. Duster is a popular car on the Russian market, which is easy to use, passable and reliable. However, the “French” is not a full-fledged SUV, since it has a monocoque body. But the Renault Duster has high ground clearance, economical engines and good geometric cross-country ability, which allows you to overcome serious obstacles without fear of damage to body parts.

The crossover is offered in mono- and all-wheel drive versions. The starting price is 589 thousand rubles.

SUVs

1.Range Rover

A brutal car with 220 mm ground clearance, capable of showing its best side in the city and demonstrating a wide off-road arsenal. Sold in 2 versions - with standard and extended wheelbase. Available only with all-wheel drive.

2. UAZ Patriot

One of the best Russian off-road vehicles with a reliable frame structure. It is equipped with a ZMZ-40906 gasoline engine, an all-wheel drive system and a 2-speed transfer case. It is popular in the car market due to its affordable cost, maintainability and adaptability to difficult operating conditions.

3. Toyota Land Cruiser 200

A 5- or 7-seater car with an initial price tag of 3.8 million rubles. Advantages: excellent design, huge trunk, high cross-country ability and comfortable interior.

The engine line includes two high-volume power units. The 4.6-liter petrol engine develops 309 hp. and 439 Nm of torque. The 4.5 diesel engine is less powerful (249 horsepower), but more torquey (650 Nm). The starting price of a car with an internal combustion engine running on gasoline is 3.8 million rubles. An initial car with a diesel engine will cost 200 thousand rubles more.

About the disadvantages of high ground clearance

Before buying a car with high ground clearance, pay attention to the characteristics of its behavior on the road. A car with high ground clearance, in addition to undeniable advantages in the field of off-road qualities, has less responsive handling at high speeds, rolls in corners due to a shifted center of gravity and the passage of powerful air currents under the wheels.

High ground clearance or, in scientific terms, ground clearance is an undeniable advantage for a car, especially. This is a guarantee of calm driving on the highway, regardless of the traffic situation. What is snow to us, what is heat to us, what is torrential rain to us, if the belly of the car is high?

When reviewing the best models, we will focus on performance and brand recognition. Let's not forget about comfort and useful gadgets from manufacturers. We will focus on the generations 2018, 2019 and 2020 model years (if there is such information or significant differences). For convenience, we will divide the cars by body type.

High clearance sedans

Sedans with high ground clearance are popular in Russia, as are SUVs and crossovers. Thanks to their compactness and lower cost, they have occupied a well-defined market segment.

The basis of any taxi fleet. The clearance is ideal - 160 millimeters. The sedan gained its popularity both due to its attractive appearance and interior comfort. It also has low fuel consumption on a fairly powerful engine - with a 1.4-liter and 1.6-liter chamber, the cylinders produce up to 124 horsepower. The advantages are complemented by high safety indicators and balance between price and quality.

A rare bird in the urban segment. The sedan only drives, while most of its competitors have long since switched to 95 or 98. Yes, and it consumes a little on the highway. There are excellent options in both the secondary and new markets. But drivers and experts note the problem of a trunk that is too large. Although summer residents will really appreciate it.

Japanese quality with representative design. A riot of colors and unprecedented opportunities await its owner. A comfortable interior and proprietary solutions from Nissan are just a small part of the brand’s care for its customers. And the car delivers a hundred at the level of a sprinter - in 9 seconds with a manual transmission. And if you are lucky enough to become the owner of an automatic copy, then even faster.

SUVs

A car of this class is suitable for traveling outside the city on rural roads. And if you have all-wheel drive, you can also conquer sports highways and swamps. And ground clearance plays an important role here

The car is not only a high-clearance vehicle, but a welcome gift for a fan of the NBA team of the same name from Portland. The developers combined a powerful engine, all-wheel drive and 4x4 wheel arrangement. Everything here invites you to conquer the peaks. And we need to take advantage of this. Feel free to hit the road!

This car is rare in Russia, but we decided to include this SUV with a clearance of 160 mm. to the rating. The all-electric model also deserves special attention. The latter has a 201 horsepower engine, which allows you to travel 239 miles on a single charge. Charging time from a home power supply is 2.5 days, and at a special station - in just an hour. The hybrid version includes a 104-horsepower engine. The total range is 560 miles, and overall fuel economy is about 26 miles.

Crossovers with high ground clearance

They are an order of magnitude higher than SUVs, although many car portals do not distinguish between these classes. They are characterized by a 4x4 wheel formula, high ground clearance and powerful all-wheel drive. A good crossover can even get a truck out of trouble. Here is just one shot of the incident in Voronezh, where a Russian driver came to the aid of a Polish truck driver.

It's time to reveal the best among the high clearance category.

This is not the first time this model has been included in our ratings. Even electricians will like the high clearance, because it is equal to 220, just not volts, but millimeters. It drives smoothly without causing discomfort to passengers - it has excellent sound insulation. Both men and women will feel great behind the wheel.

Another popular option. It has wheel clearance of almost 20 centimeters. You can drive it over rough terrain without any extra effort. In addition, the cabin is spacious enough for both people and things.

Ideal for difficult terrain. A ground clearance of 20 centimeters will also improve the car's performance. In general, the crossover was created for only one purpose - to explore the outside world. The name speaks eloquently about this - the crossover issues a passport to unforgettable adventures!

Station wagons with high ground clearance

• Opel Zafira. She was included in the rating as a hero of the day. For 20 years, this car has been delighting fans with its excellent driving characteristics. The advantage of this station wagon, or as the manufacturer positions the car, a compact van, is that it can accommodate seven people at once, and not five, as readers are used to.
• Volvo XC70. Also pleases with character. The powerful turbodiesel engine significantly improved cross-country ability and accelerated the pace of sales. The car is economical, consumes little fuel and offers modern, inexpensive comfort and safety options.
• Porsche Panamera 4 E-hybrid is a hybrid version of the popular station wagon. Along with the traditional internal combustion engine, there is also an electric one, which can travel 40 kilometers. The car is environmentally friendly - carbon dioxide emissions do not exceed 64 grams per kilometer.

Minivans

This class is still exotic for Russia, but many models have already found their consumers. The Renault Espace is proof of this. Although its figure is very modest - 120 millimeters, it is chosen for its comfortable interior. In general, the French carefully take care of their clients, constantly improving their branded solutions.

Hatchbacks

This is where the Suzuki SX4 comes to the fore. Buyers are attracted by the relatively low price - within one and a half million rubles for the restyling of the second generation of the GLX configuration. At least 33 options are available to the driver, led by a gasoline engine in the range of 117-140 horses and

Small cars with high ground clearance

Unfortunately, new cars are no longer made under this nickname, but they do not lose their luster. They were produced for only 3 years, but they became a standard and an example of how you can combine an environmentally friendly engine and high ground clearance. The result is that the car will pass where the analogue gets stuck.

Another dead legend. The wealth of trim levels is replete with functional differences. There are already airbags and an ABS system. Everything here is aimed at comfort.

Who has more?

Who has more?

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.

*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.

As a rule, the main components of such adaptation are a winter package of options, a strong suspension and, of course, high ground clearance. The last item on the list allows the average Russian not to buy an expensive crossover, but to get by with an affordable sedan. The best of them are in our review. ((model_v2_6176)) Lada VestaNo matter how much AvtoVAZ is criticized for its expensive product (the base price of Vesta is 569,900 rubles), the domestic sedan has an undeniable advantage: its ground clearance is impressive for its class 178 mm. The car has air conditioning, heated front seats, a driver's seat with height adjustment and lumbar support, two front airbags, an electronic stability control system, traction control, hill start assist, an audio system with Bluetooth and USB. More comfortable trim levels include parking sensors, a cooled glove compartment, exterior door handles and mirror housings in body color. The power line includes a 1.6-liter engine producing 106 hp. With. or a 1.8-liter engine with a power of 122 hp. Buyers will be able to choose between a classic manual transmission and an automated manual transmission. It is noteworthy that the domestic sedan was included in the list of the safest cars according to the results of the Russian ARCAP crash test. The domestic model was able to score 14.1 points and win 4 stars on the safety scale, taking bronze. And this, it should be noted, is the best result in the entire history of the Russian automobile industry! Datsun on-DO ((model_v2_3408)) This tall sedan with a clearance of 174 mm pleases consumers, first of all, with its price. For a basic on-DO, dealers are asking 451,000 rubles. Of course, for such a sum the four-door is very modestly equipped. The default model has only ABS, emergency brake booster, electronic brake force distribution, driver airbag, 3-point inertial seat belts, 14-inch wheels. Under the hood is a 1.6-liter engine, which is paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. But if the pursuit of comfort is not the most important thing, you can safely make a choice in favor of this budget employee. As a bonus, you will receive a trunk that is a record in its class: the volume of usable space in the model is stated at 530 liters. And inside there is a full-size spare wheel. Citroen C4 Sedan ((model_v2_1812)) If your budget allows you to take a more expensive sedan, you can consider a model from the French brand. It also has a good ground clearance of 174 mm. True, the price of the car is at least 999,000 rubles, and this is akin to the price list of an SUV. Why are they asking for such money? Basic equipment of the C4 includes: electronic stability control system, driver and passenger front airbags, air conditioning, electric front and rear windows, electrically adjustable and heated rear-view mirrors, front LED daytime running lights, 16-inch steel wheels, automatic locking doors at speeds over 10 km/h, metal crankcase protection, child seat mounts in the rear seat, rear seat folding 2/3. The car is offered with petrol and diesel engines with a displacement of 1.6 liters. The first ones are equipped with 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions. The diesel unit comes exclusively with “mechanics”. ((model_v2_3131)) Peugeot 408 Another “French” - a “relative” of the C4 Sedan - has a ground clearance of 175 mm. Agree, a worthy indicator. In addition to this, the manufacturer recently updated the model, making the 408 even more suitable for Russia. Judge for yourself: as standard, the sedan received a reinforced suspension, a high-capacity battery and a metal crankcase protection, front LED daytime running lights, fog lights with the function of additional illumination of the turning sector, and a full-size spare wheel. Versions with 1.6-liter gasoline engines producing 115 hp are available to buyers. or a 150 hp turbo engine, as well as a 1.6-liter 114 hp diesel engine. Available with 5- or 6-speed manual transmissions or a 6-speed automatic transmission. But the starting price of 979,000 rubles does not attract many. Skoda Rapid ((model_v2_3320)) But the Czech competitor has a quite affordable price tag - from 636,000 rubles. Of course, compared to the above-mentioned classmates, this sedan has less ground clearance, but for its class it is also respectable - 170 mm. Options include front parking sensors, automatic high beam control, 2 USB ports in the rear row and heated rear seats. However, the basic design is also very rich. The initial configuration includes central locking and 2 folding keys with remote control, direction indicators in the rear-view mirrors, and the mirror housings and door handles are painted in body color. The basic unit of the Rapid is a gasoline 4-cylinder naturally aspirated 1.6 MPI with a power of 90 hp. , paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. A more powerful option is the 1.6 MPI with 110 hp. - can be paired with a 6-band automatic transmission. Finally, the lineup includes a turbocharged 1.4 TSI engine with 125 hp.

First, a few words about the measurement technique itself. Each car passes this part of the tests without a driver or passengers, but with a full fuel tank. If the car is equipped with air suspension, the ground clearance is taken into account in all body positions: standard, maximum lowered and raised.

Columns “a”, “b” and “c” are three measurement points: under the engine compartment, in the middle of the car, and the lowest point at the rear of the car, respectively. Any test of crossovers or all-terrain vehicles contains this diagram.

Let's start with crossovers. Full-size and compact, premium and budget - it doesn’t matter. Today, based on the results of tests conducted over the past three years, we will find out whose ground clearance is higher. Important: some models are not in our table (for example, Mercedes-Benz GLS), which means that it simply did not participate in the tests.

* For engine protection

Among premium crossovers, the Range Rover Sport 5.0L turned out to be the highest, but the Swedish new product of 2015, the Volvo XC90, is coming on its heels. By the way, the “Swede” has three body positions, while the Range and its German competitors have two. The victory among premium in the mid-size segment went to another “Swede” - the Volvo XC60 T5. The Porsche Macan S approaches it, but even in the raised Off-Road position it is slightly lower. Finally, the Range Rover Evoque, as expected, became the most all-terrain compact premium crossover. Still, the name obliges.

Toyota Highlander won the full-size crossover class. In the test, it was not only the highest, but also demonstrated excellent off-road qualities for a crossover.

Now the most numerous class is mid-size crossovers. The competition here is the toughest! Some cars, like the Luxgen 7 SUV and Chevrolet Captiva, have already officially left the Russian market. But since they took part in our tests, we included them in the table.

So, in this class there are two “Japanese” leaders at once. These are Subaru XV and Forester. The geometric cross-country ability parameters are similar, but the XV has engine protection, which brought it ahead. Renault Koleos and Mazda CX-5 showed good results.

In the class of compact crossovers, the “American” Russian-assembled Ford EcoSport wins. It is without protection, but 200 mm of ground clearance is an excellent result. Finally, in the budget segment, the Renault Sandero Stepway celebrates its victory, just slightly ahead of the Lada Kalina Cross pseudo-crossover. Still, under the engine shield, Stepway’s distance to the ground is a little, but greater.