Ground clearance & ride height

Ground clearance is the distance between the lowest fixed point of the underside of the car and the road surface. Ride height is a broader term for how high the body sits on the wheels. A hatchback typically sits around 12 to 15 centimetres of ground clearance, a crossover higher, and an SUV higher still; the figure partly explains why those segments step in differently and consume differently.

More ground clearance helps on poor road surfaces, speed bumps, kerbs and light unpaved tracks, and gives a higher step-in and more overview. The higher centre of gravity and the larger frontal area usually lead, on taller models, to higher consumption and less flat handling. The stated value applies to an unloaded car in standard trim; loading, other tyre sizes or air suspension change the real-world height.

On spec sheets we show the ground clearance where the manufacturer states it, as a factual figure. For suitability on rough terrain more than this single figure counts, such as drive layout and approach angles; we present it as a figure, not as an off-road verdict.