Is the Roewe i5's chassis too low for rural driving?
2 Answers
The Roewe i5's chassis is not considered too low for rural driving. The Roewe i5 has a minimum ground clearance of 116mm. Its front suspension features a relatively traditional MacPherson strut design with a single-layer stamped lower control arm, utilizing a split and detachable structure, while the rear suspension employs a torsion beam setup. Below is more information about ground clearance: High ground clearance: A larger minimum ground clearance enhances a vehicle's ability to pass over obstacles or uneven terrain, but raises the center of gravity, reducing stability. Low ground clearance: A smaller minimum ground clearance diminishes a vehicle's ability to navigate obstacles or rough roads, but lowers the center of gravity, improving stability.
I've been driving my Roewe i5 in the countryside for several years. I think the ground clearance of around 150mm is normal for a sedan, but it's really insufficient on rural dirt roads. When encountering muddy roads with rocks or deep potholes, the undercarriage often gets scraped. Once, I even damaged the oil pan, costing several hundred yuan to repair. I've gotten used to driving slowly to avoid rough patches and installed an underbody guard to protect the engine and suspension. The car itself is quite fuel-efficient and accelerates smoothly, but it requires extra caution on bad roads. If you don't frequently drive on extremely rugged terrain, it's fine for daily commuting, but regular checks for undercarriage wear are necessary to avoid costly repairs. Overall, it performs well on good roads but isn't very suitable for mountainous or muddy areas.
