The not always ideal condition of domestic roads often forces Russian motorists to opt for all-wheel drive SUVs. Due to the fact that the global auto industry is developing dynamically, current car owners have the opportunity to choose models with all-wheel drive from different price categories.
Famous representatives
This article will look at some of the most interesting offers for drivers who are looking for high ground clearance and high level comfort.
Porsche Cayenne 2015
This crossover with a pronounced sporty character has permanent all-wheel drive as standard. The basis of the drive system is an electronically controlled multi-disc axle electromagnetic clutch. The 2015 Cayenne also offers an effective traction control system.
The exterior of the new Cayenne has become more solid: the body kit has been updated and increased in size, the volume of the front wings has increased, the radiator grille has also become noticeably more noticeable, and the body as a whole exceeds the dimensions of its predecessor. The sporty character of the model has not suffered from the increase in size, and the crossover is ready to delight the owner with dynamic acceleration and precise cornering.
In general, the appearance of the car has become more aggressive and stylish.
Review Porsche car Cayenne:
The overall style of the interior is made in the best traditions of the legendary German auto brand. At the same time, some finishing materials were replaced, and a new sports steering wheel with an abundance of functions appeared. The multimedia system has also received improved software, and the previous rear seats have been updated with an optional ventilated version.
The Porsche Cayenne's luggage compartment still offers 670 liters of usable space, which can be converted into 1,780 liters if the rear row is folded.
The Porsche Cayenne boasts a ground clearance that is quite large for a city crossover, equal to 215 mm. With such ground clearance, the German SUV can easily overcome moderate potholes on the highway. For those who find this not enough, it is possible to order an optional air suspension, which will increase the ground clearance to 268 mm.
Russian motorists will be able to choose between a 300-horsepower gasoline engine (3.6 liters) and a 3.0-liter diesel unit with a power potential of 245 “horses.”
Range Rover Evoque
This model is very close to the ideal embodiment of the idea of a city car with impressive ground clearance.
The stylish design with a touch of daring sporty aggression allows this crossover to stand out clearly in traffic on the streets of the metropolis.
The developers hoped that this model would conquer the vastness of urban areas.
In such a car you can safely drive up to reputable establishments - a noticeable road body kit and bold design will only benefit the owner’s rating. If desired, the appearance of the SUV can be made even brighter: for this it is worth ordering optional design packages.
The British crossover cannot be called big. It belongs more to the compact SUV segment. Its wheelbase is 2660 mm, and its length reaches 4355 mm. The Evoque's ground clearance reaches 215 mm.
Range Rover Evoque - British crossover
With such indicators, the neat, solid interior can easily accommodate five people. The amount of free space in the back row will only decrease if you choose the Dynamic package.
Since the Range Rover Evoque is a compact SUV, its trunk allows for only 575 liters of usable space, which should be enough for residents large city. With the rear seats folded down, this figure can be increased to 1445 liters.
When choosing a power plant, car enthusiasts who are partial to the dynamics that captivate the Russian soul should initially pay attention to the 4-cylinder Si4 petrol engine, which has a displacement of 2.0 liters.
Thanks to turbocharging and direct fuel injection, the 16-valve unit is capable of delivering 240 horsepower. Complete with a 9-speed automatic transmission, the Range Rover Evoque with this gasoline engine is capable of reaching a speed of 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds. And for all this pleasure you will need only 8.7 liters of fuel per 100 km.
For diesel-focused drivers, Range Rover offers the Evoque with a choice of two 2.2L 4-cylinder engines. The younger diesel engine has a power of 150 “horses”, and the older one, thanks to forced turbocharging and retuned fuel injection, produces 190 hp. With. In the first case, to cover hundreds of kilometers of road surface, the British SUV will need 6.5 liters of fuel, in the second - 9.6 liters.
Range Rover Evoque review:
BMW X6 M
This crossover from Bavarian developers attracts attention by the fact that with significantly increased power indicators, it is quite economical.
Let's start with the exterior.
A new aerodynamic body kit, modified optics, eye-catching 20-inch wheels with a unique design and an impressive, stylish radiator grille make the image of the X6 M sporty, aggressive and at the same time solid.
The interior of the Bavarian SUV also did not escape the attention of the developers of the famous car brand:
- the interior has been enriched with new, more expensive finishing materials;
- an updated steering wheel and aluminum pedals appeared;
- There are two types of sports front seats to choose from.
This car is definitely suitable for those who like a combination of exemplary quality and a bright image.
The dimensions of the sporty X6 M are actually the same as those of the less charged version of the SUV. The only difference can be found in the ground clearance, here it is 195 mm.
The sporty X6 M hides under the hood an upgraded 8-cylinder petrol unit with a displacement of 4.4 liters. Bavarian specialists equipped this engine with systems that allow the use of variable valve timing and improved direct fuel injection. The exhaust system was also redesigned and two turbochargers were added. As a result, the BMW X6 M is capable of captivating its owner with a power of 575 hp. With.
With these figures, this model can reach 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds, which is fantastic for an all-wheel drive car. When equipped with a 7-speed automatic transmission, with all its power, the BMW X6 M consumes only 11.1 liters of gasoline, which allows it to fall into the category of economical SUVs.
BMW X6 M review:
Nissan Qashqai II
Continuing the theme of all-wheel drive crossovers, it is worth paying attention to the Japanese SUV Nissan Qashqai 2014. All-wheel drive is available only in the gasoline version with a 2-liter unit equipped with a CVT acting as a transmission.
The second generation Nissan Qashqai became slightly larger than its predecessor and received a more muscular body shape. Such changes only benefited the Japanese SUV. The wheelbase of the new crossover is 2646 mm, and the length is limited to 4377 mm. In turn, the width reaches 1837 mm, with a height of 1595 mm.
The Qashqai will not be able to please you with its impressive ground clearance - it is now 180 mm, but thanks to the change in ground clearance, there is more space in the cabin.
The interior of the Japanese all-wheel drive car gently captivates with the stylish design of the center console and dashboard, as well as high-quality pleasant plastic. Fans of long voyages will definitely be pleased with the new comfortable seats, which, thanks to a well-thought-out seating position with good lateral support, allow you to comfortably travel several hundred kilometers and not even remember about back fatigue.
Also, for long trips there is a decent level of noise insulation, which helps you forget about the rich sound gamut of the city highway, as well as about the running engine outside the city.
The Qashqai trunk offers Russian motorists 430 liters of usable space. This figure increases to 1585 liters with the rear seats folded.
The power plants of the second generation of the popular SUV in Russia are offered in 3 versions:
- two 4-cylinder petrol engines of 1.2 and 2.0 liters;
- as well as a diesel unit with a 1.6 liter displacement.
Nissan Qashqai is a popular car in Russia
The younger 1.2-liter engine, running on gasoline, is capable of providing the owner of the Nissan Qashqai II with 115 “horses,” which allow him to reach a speed of 100 km/h in 11 seconds. In this case, no more than 7.8 liters of fuel will be burned per 100 km of city roads.
The power of the 2-liter gasoline unit is 144 hp. With. This engine can be combined with a 6-speed manual transmission or a CVT. In this case, fuel consumption in mixed mode will be 7.7 liters.
As for the 1.6-liter 4-cylinder diesel engine, it is ready to please the owner with a power of 130 “horses” and diesel fuel consumption of 5.6 liters in urban driving mode. This engine is equipped with a modernized variator.
Nissan Qashqai review:
Chevrolet Captiva
The car, beloved by many, underwent an update in 2014 and appeared before Russian car enthusiasts in a more respectable appearance. Thus, the spacious SUV continues to delight with its noteworthy ground clearance of 200 mm and all-wheel drive system.
The dimensions of the car remain the same; inside, as before, there is a lot of free space. The exterior has been enriched with chrome-plated fog lamp surrounds, a new lower protective edge and a transverse decorative strip in the radiator grille area. At the rear of the SUV there is a new bumper, as well as stylish exhaust tips that harmoniously combine with new LED lights.
There have been no revolutionary changes in the interior of the crossover, except that the quality of finishing materials has noticeably improved.
The useful trunk space is 769 liters, and with the seats folded down this figure rises to 1577 liters.
Chevrolet Captiva - family crossover
The base power plant of the Chevrolet Captiva is a 4-cylinder gasoline unit with a capacity of 167 hp. With. The volume of this engine is 2.4 liters. This unit is equipped with either a 6-speed automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual transmission. Moreover, in the first case, fuel consumption is limited to 9.3 liters of gasoline, and when choosing a manual transmission - 8.8 liters.
The 3.0 liter 6-cylinder petrol engine boasts 249 hp. With. power that can accelerate a large crossover to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds. For the treasured hundred kilometers of road surface, an American SUV equipped with this unit burns 10.7 liters of fuel.
But a 4-cylinder diesel engine will require only 7.7 liters of fuel to cover the same distance. And its power with a volume of 2.2 liters will be equal to 184 liters. With.
Chevrolet Captiva review:
Subaru Forester
Those who are focused on vehicles with high cross-country ability simply cannot ignore the legend of Japanese all-wheel drive - Subaru Forester. And if you consider that the 4th generation of this popular model was presented not so long ago, its presence on the Russian market becomes even more relevant.
What's new in the 2014 Subaru Forester all-wheel drive crossover?
If you start with the exterior, then you should pay attention to the modified optics, enlarged radiator grille, fresh wheel design and updated bumpers. In addition, the car has grown a little: the height of the SUV is now 1735 mm, and the length (with a width of 1795 mm) reaches 4595 mm.
Thanks to these changes, the owner of a Subaru Forester now has 488 liters of usable space in the luggage compartment.
The level of comfort of the car has also increased: Japanese engineers have made the body of the SUV more rigid, and vibrations will now bother the driver much less often.
The level of comfort is also positively influenced by the fact that the interior has become noticeably more spacious. Finishing materials have noticeably changed, offering a fundamentally new level of quality. Ergonomics, as always, are excellent - everything you need is at hand, the controls are clear and convenient. Many functions have been transferred to the steering wheel. By the way, depending on the customer’s preferences, the power steering can be either hydraulic or electric.
Subaru Forester is a very famous crossover
Among the power plants of the Japanese SUV, the most affordable is the 150-horsepower version, which, when equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, is capable of accelerating the Subaru Forester to 100 km/h in 10.6 seconds. When choosing a continuously variable transmission, this figure will change to 11.8 seconds. But the CVT will reduce fuel consumption to 6.5 liters, while the “mechanics” will require 7.7 liters.
Proper changes in the suspension made it possible to make the Japanese car more maneuverable when entering turns at speed, which will please fans of fast driving.
Subaru engineers have paid a lot of attention to improving safety levels. Now the driver and passengers have received reliable protection. We are talking about dynamic stabilization systems, emergency braking assistance, seven airbags, etc.
Subaru Forester review:
Conclusion
The current car market in Russia offers many interesting all-wheel drive models that will confidently overcome both city highways and kilometers of country roads.
All you need to make an informed choice is just an accurate definition of your needs.
Subscribe to our channel on Telegram. Latest and current news from the automotive world! 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.
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! 🙂
Having a car with high ground clearance is a necessity for domestic car enthusiasts, which allows them to feel comfortable on the roads of Russia. Until the problem with Russian roads is corrected, cars with high ground clearance will be the kings of domestic roads! We present to you a list of the eight most affordable high-clearance cars on the Russian car market.
Chevrolet Niva.
GM-AvtoVAZ has created an excellent cross-country crossover, which is very popular among compatriots. The all-wheel drive Chevrolet Niva has a distance from the body to the road of 200 millimeters, a two-speed transfer case, a locking center differential and an naturally aspirated engine with 80 horsepower. The cost of a domestic car with an American name ranges from 579,000 rubles to 704,000 rubles.
Ford EcoSport.
The American SUV also has an impressive ground clearance, thanks to which it is loved by domestic drivers. Ford EcoSport has a clearance of the same 200 millimeters, which is quite comfortable for our roads. Plus, this advantage is emphasized by a reliable American 5-speed manual transmission and a 122-horsepower engine. The cost of the basic configuration is 902,000 rubles, and the robotic version is 80,000 rubles more.
Renault Captur.
The front-wheel drive version has a ground clearance of 204 mm, which gives drivers comfort on Russian off-road conditions. The cost of the basic version of the Renault Kaptur starts from 980,000 rubles, but the top-end, all-wheel drive version of the car has an even greater ground clearance, 210 millimeters, but costs an order of magnitude more than its smaller brother.
Lada 4X4.
The domestic Niva has a ground clearance of 205 millimeters, and this makes this car a favorite domestic SUV. The all-wheel drive Niva has several trim levels, the poorest of which costs about 465,000 rubles, and the most advanced is available at a price starting from 552 thousand rubles (five-door with Urban modification).
UAZ Hunter.
The Hunter from UAZ has a ground clearance of 210 mm, which makes it one of the leaders on our list. The domestic SUV has a classic UAZ appearance and legendary cross-country ability, which is unattainable for most modern crossovers. Three configurations of the “Hunter” are sold in stores at prices ranging from 609 to 670 thousand rubles. The UAZ Hunter engine has 128 horsepower and a volume of 2.7 liters.
UAZ Patriot.
The modernized version of the UAZ has the same 210 mm clearance, but the Patriot equipment is many times more interesting, and appearance much more attractive in big cities. 135 horsepower, 2.7 liters – these are the parameters of the engine of this king of Russian roads, which is available in showrooms at prices ranging from 779 to 990 thousand rubles.
Renault Duster.
Another representative of inexpensive crossovers, which has a ground clearance of 210 mm and feels great in any driving conditions. It is worth noting that the Renault Duster is popular among domestic drivers precisely because of its price and reliability, because even the most advanced modification of the SUV is available at a price not exceeding 1,000,000 rubles.
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 power 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.
|
Characteristics |
|||
| Overall dimensions, mm |
4410 to 1765 to 1491 |
4337 by 1700 by 1500 |
4390 to 1699 to 1467 |
| Wheelbase, mm | |||
| Wheel formula | |||
| Ground clearance, mm | |||
| Trunk volume, in l | |||
| Number of internal combustion engines and gearboxes to choose from, pcs. | |||
| Starting price, in rub. |
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. big company, but 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.
|
Characteristics |
Sandero Stepway |
Rio X-Line |
|
| Overall dimensions, mm |
4080 by 1757 by 1618 |
4240 by 1750 by 1510 |
3950 by 1700 by 1500 |
| Wheelbase, mm | |||
| Wheel formula | |||
| Ground clearance, mm | |||
| Luggage compartment volume, l | |||
| Starting price, in rub. |
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”.
|
Characteristics |
V90 Cross Country |
Passat Alltrack |
|
| Overall dimensions, mm |
4939 to 1879 to 1543 |
4777 to 1832 to 1506 |
4815 by 1840 by 1675 (with roof rails) |
| Wheelbase, mm | |||
| Wheel formula | |||
| Ground clearance, mm | |||
| Trunk volume, in l | |||
| Number of engines and gearboxes to choose from, pcs. | |||
| Base price, rub. |
The best off-road crossovers
1.Volvo XC60
The flagship XC90's younger brother pleases 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
Urban compact crossover 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.
|
Characteristics |
Renault Duster |
||
| Overall dimensions, mm |
4699 to 1999 to 1658 |
4370 to 1985 to 1635 |
4315 by 1822 by 1625 |
| Wheelbase, mm | |||
| Wheel formula |
4x2 or 4x4 |
||
| Ground clearance, mm | |||
| Luggage compartment capacity, in l | |||
| Number of engines and gearboxes to choose from, pcs. | |||
| Starting price, in rub. |
To order |
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.
|
Characteristics |
Range Rover |
Land Cruiser 200 (5 m.) |
|
| Overall dimensions, mm |
5000 to 2073 to 1868 |
4750 (4785) by 1900 by 1910 |
4950 to 1980 to 1955 |
| Wheelbase, mm |
2922 (standard) |
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| Wheel formula | |||
| Ground clearance, mm | |||
| Trunk capacity, in l | |||
| Number of engines and gearboxes to choose from, pcs. | |||
| Initial cost, in rub. |
To order |
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.
A car is designed to travel on the road. But lately we have to do this off-road, and sometimes it’s difficult to determine where one ends and the other begins. Therefore, such a car characteristic as ground clearance is of increased interest among car owners. This article shows the dimensions in a comparative table of vehicle clearance, but first, of course, you should understand what it is and what functions it performs.
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:
- 20-35 cm for SUVs.
- Not less than 18 cm and not more than 25 cm for SUVs.
- 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.
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 of the most high values ground clearance, it should be noted that such a serial vehicle as a row crop tractor. Their clearance can reach 50-70 cm, and for special ones even 200 cm.
The 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.
Video “Increasing front suspension clearance”
The recording shows how repair work is being carried out to raise the front suspension of the Renault Duster (20 mm).
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