
The minimum ground clearance of the Cruze is 130 millimeters. The minimum ground clearance of the Cruze refers to the distance between the lowest point (excluding the wheels) and the supporting plane, which is used to characterize the vehicle's ability to pass over obstacles such as rocks and tree stumps without collision. The higher the ground clearance of the Cruze, the better its off-road capability. However, if the Cruze's ground clearance is too high, the stability during high-speed driving will decrease. The Cruze is a new-generation model developed by General Motors with the goal of creating a benchmark in design and performance for compact cars, integrating global resources. The dimensions of the Cruze are 4666 mm in length, 1807 mm in width, and 1460 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2700 mm. Generally, the ground clearance of sedans ranges between 110 mm and 150 mm, while SUVs have a ground clearance between 200 mm and 250 mm. However, the ground clearance of the Cruze is not static; it also depends on the load condition. Therefore, changes in ground clearance should be considered based on the Cruze's load variations. When selecting a vehicle, ground clearance can be one of the reference factors. The choice should depend on the vehicle's intended use and the road conditions. For urban areas with well-paved roads, a vehicle with lower ground clearance can enhance stability and comfort. For long-distance travel or driving in areas with poor road conditions, a vehicle with higher ground clearance may be preferable to avoid scraping or damaging the undercarriage, considering the vehicle's off-road performance.

I remember paying special attention to the ground clearance during my test drive of the Cruze. The unladen minimum ground clearance is around 135mm, roughly the height of a soda can placed horizontally. When fully loaded, it drops to just over 100mm – you'll need to be extra cautious over speed bumps with five passengers and luggage. In daily city driving on paved roads, it performs perfectly fine. However, when encountering large dirt mounds in construction zones or gravel roads during outings, it's best to slow down. A friend once scraped the underbody guard in a mud pit while driving this car in the countryside, and only felt at ease after installing an engine guard. Modifying the suspension can gain you 2-3cm, but it will affect the factory-tuned comfort.

As a seasoned driver who has owned a Cruze for three years, I can say this car's ground clearance isn't particularly high. According to the manual, the front lip has about 14cm of clearance when unloaded, similar to mainstream sedans. But note this measurement is taken at the engine guard position - the plastic piece below the fog lights actually sits lower and is most vulnerable to curb scrapes. I've developed a habit of measuring curb heights; anything over 12cm requires extra caution during parallel parking. When the trunk is fully loaded, the chassis noticeably sags, and you might hear slight scraping over speed bumps. A friend who installed raised springs reported improved clearance but noted increased body roll during cornering.

From the perspective of chassis design, the Cruze's minimum ground clearance is designed below the air intake, approximately 134-138mm (unladen data), and about 98mm when fully loaded. In comparison, the Corolla in the same segment has 140mm, while the Sylphy has 150mm. German cars generally feature lower clearances. It is recommended to maintain an approach angle of over 30° when traversing rough terrain, with special attention needed for the oil pan location. Actual measurements show the front suspension lower control arm is only 110mm from the ground, so caution is advised when crossing deep potholes. For modifications, switching to tires with a higher aspect ratio (e.g., from 215/55R17 to 215/60R17) can improve clearance by about 8mm without affecting annual inspections.


