What does the minimum ground clearance of a car refer to?
2 Answers
The minimum ground clearance of a car refers to the distance between the lowest point of the car (excluding the wheels) and the road surface when the car is fully loaded. It indicates the car's ability to overcome obstacles. The smaller the ground clearance, the worse the ability to overcome obstacles. Sedans generally travel on flat urban roads, so they have small ground clearance. Off-road vehicles have larger minimum ground clearance to overcome larger obstacles. The larger the minimum ground clearance, the stronger the vehicle's ability to pass over obstacles or uneven ground, but the higher the center of gravity, which reduces stability. The smaller the minimum ground clearance, the weaker the vehicle's ability to pass over obstacles or uneven ground, but the lower the center of gravity, which can increase stability.
As someone who frequently drives for leisure trips, I pay special attention to the minimum ground clearance. Simply put, it's the height from the lowest point of the car (like the chassis or exhaust system) to the ground. If it's too low, you're more likely to scrape when driving over rough roads. Last time I drove a sedan on a gravel road, the chassis hit the rocks and nearly got damaged. SUVs typically have a clearance of 150mm or more, while off-road vehicles have even higher clearance, making them suitable for wilderness adventures. Sedans usually have around 110mm clearance, which is fine for city driving. When fully loaded with passengers or cargo, the clearance gets further reduced, so you should consider the roads you frequently travel when choosing a car. Higher clearance improves off-road capability and prevents getting stuck, but it also affects handling stability. Now that I've switched to an SUV, I feel much more at ease when driving.
