What is the ground clearance of the X-Trail?
4 Answers
The ground clearance of the X-Trail is 208mm. Taking the 2021 X-Trail as an example, it is a compact SUV with body dimensions of: length 4675mm, width 1820mm, height 1722mm, wheelbase 2706mm, fuel tank capacity 65L, and curb weight 1489kg. The 2021 X-Trail features a MacPherson strut front suspension and a multi-link independent rear suspension. It is equipped with a 2.0L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 151PS, maximum torque of 194Nm, and maximum power of 111kW, paired with a 7-speed continuously variable transmission.
The ground clearance of the X-Trail is around 210mm, which is quite sufficient. I've driven the X-Trail to many places, especially on rural bumpy roads, and it never scrapes the undercarriage. Isn't that why we buy SUVs? You don't have to worry about speed bumps or rough construction roads. However, you should note that the ground clearance can vary by a centimeter or two between unloaded and fully loaded conditions. With four passengers and a full trunk, it drops to just over 190mm in actual measurements. It's definitely enough for daily commuting and occasional road trips, but for extreme off-roading, a hardcore off-road vehicle is recommended. This figure is slightly higher than the CR-V and RAV4, making it one of the more capable Japanese SUVs in terms of off-road performance.
Last time I went camping in my X-Trail, I paid special attention to the ground clearance. The official specification is 210-215mm, and in actual measurement under no-load conditions, a small fire extinguisher could fit beneath the wheels. This height makes handling gravel roads a breeze, and even protruding tree roots in the forest are no problem. I remember once encountering a waterlogged road during heavy rain where sedans had to detour, but I drove straight through with the water level just reaching halfway up the tires. However, a small note: the original tire size affects the actual ground clearance. If you switch to larger rims with low-profile tires, it might reduce the clearance by about 5mm. Personally, I feel that only SUVs with over 200mm of ground clearance can truly be considered for light off-roading, and the X-Trail just meets this threshold, performing slightly better than most urban SUVs.
The ground clearance of the X-Trail is 215mm for the 4WD version and around 210mm for the 2WD version. While the difference seems minimal in millimeters, it actually plays a crucial role when tackling cross-axle situations. Measured a friend's car—the lowest point under the engine guard was 21cm when unloaded, but near the fuel tank, it was 23cm. A heads-up: installing underbody armor or an engine guard might reduce clearance by 1-2cm. Last year at the dealership, the new model measured 8mm higher than the old one, mainly due to adjusted suspension parameters. Among similarly priced cars, the CR-V has 198mm, and the Wildlander has 205mm. The X-Trail's advantage lies in its larger approach/departure angles. It's more than sufficient for daily use, but if you're serious about off-roading, remember to switch to AT tires—the stock ones trap pebbles too easily.
