
The ground clearance of the Encore is 19cm. Ground clearance, also known as the minimum ground clearance, refers to the distance between the lowest point of the vehicle and the ground. A larger minimum ground clearance enhances the vehicle's ability to pass over obstacles or uneven terrain, but it raises the center of gravity, reducing stability. Conversely, a smaller minimum ground clearance diminishes the vehicle's ability to traverse obstacles or rough surfaces, but it lowers the center of gravity, improving stability. The Encore is a compact SUV under the Buick brand, measuring 4295 mm in length, 1798 mm in width, and 1607 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2570 mm. It is equipped with a new 1.4t Ecotec turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering a maximum output power of 103 kW and a maximum torque of 200 Nm.

I drive an older model Buick Encore, and I remember the ground clearance is around 160mm. Last year when I went on a self-drive trip to the mountains, this height was quite stable on gravel roads, without easily scraping the undercarriage. However, when fully loaded with four people plus luggage, the chassis would sink by two or three centimeters, so I had to be extra careful with deep potholes. My friend's Honda XR-V is 20mm lower than this, so in comparison, the Encore's off-road capability is quite decent. For daily city driving, it's more than enough to handle regular-height curbs, but I'd recommend taking particularly high speed bumps at an angle.

During our car club's test, we measured the Enclave's ground clearance, which is 150-160mm when unloaded. While it can't match a true off-roader, it's about 6cm higher than sedans, making it particularly useful for driving through flooded areas. Last week after heavy rain, I drove through a 20cm deep waterlogged section without any water entering the chassis. However, ground clearance decreases by about 5mm after switching to snow tires, so northern drivers should take note in winter. I recommend checking the underbody shield bolts every 30,000 km - last time my car's chassis noise turned out to be caused by a loose shield rubbing.

My Buick Encore has been in use for three years, with an actual measured ground clearance of 15.8 cm. This height is very practical for daily use, handling speed bumps in mall underground parking lots with no issues. Last week, when picking up my child from school, I temporarily parked on a 12 cm high curb—the front wheels went up easily without scraping the undercarriage. However, when taking an elderly person to the hospital and parking on a 15 cm high curb, I heard a slight scraping sound. I recommend that fellow car enthusiasts avoid installing overly thick floor mats, as after installing them in my car, the ground clearance was reduced by nearly 1 cm, requiring extra caution on some steep slopes.


