What is the ground clearance of a Tesla?
3 Answers
Taking the Tesla Model Y as an example, the ground clearance of the Tesla Model Y is 138mm. Ground clearance refers to the shortest distance from the car's chassis to the ground when the vehicle is at maximum load capacity. The Tesla Model Y is a compact SUV with dimensions of 4750mm in length, 1821mm in width, and 1624mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2890mm. Below is more detailed information: Suspension: The front suspension uses a double-wishbone independent suspension, while the rear suspension employs a multi-link independent suspension. Powertrain: The Tesla Model Y is available in four variants: Standard Range, Long Range, Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive, and Performance. The Long Range variant features a motor with an output of 258kW and a torque of 527Nm, while the Performance variant boasts a motor with 340kW and 639Nm of torque.
Tesla's ground clearance varies by model. I often drive a Model Y to work, and the measured ground clearance is approximately 167mm. It handles speed bumps or uneven roads quite well in daily use, so there's no need to worry about scraping the undercarriage. As a family car, the trunk is spacious enough that even when carrying lots of items for outings with kids, nothing touches the bottom—it’s perfectly sufficient for urban commuting. However, extra caution is needed when encountering particularly high curbs, such as certain mall parking garage entrances. Overall, this height strikes a balance between comfort and practicality—higher than sedans but not as bumpy as hardcore off-road vehicles.
I've noticed that Tesla carefully considers the ground clearance of its different models. The standard Model 3 has about 140mm clearance, making it ideal for smooth roads with quick acceleration and low wind resistance. The Model S and Model X feature air suspension that allows dynamic adjustment - defaulting to 160mm, it can raise to 190mm for better off-road capability on rough terrain, then lower at highway speeds to improve efficiency. Comparing with other SUVs, the Model Y's 167mm clearance is slightly higher than conventional cars while maintaining parking convenience. While air suspension makes vehicles smarter, regular maintenance is needed to monitor shock absorber conditions.
