What is the minimum ground clearance of the Highlander?
4 Answers
The minimum ground clearance of the Highlander is 195mm, and it is 205mm when unloaded. Taking the 2020 Highlander as an example, its body dimensions are: 4890mm in length, 1925mm in width, and 1715mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2790mm and a curb weight of 2080kg. The 2020 Highlander features a MacPherson independent front suspension and an E-type multi-link independent rear suspension. It is equipped with a 2.0T turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 220PS and a maximum power of 162kW, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Last time I accompanied a friend to test drive the Highlander, I specifically measured this. The lowest point under the car when unloaded is about 203 mm. This height is completely sufficient for city driving, and it won't scrape the chassis when going over speed bumps. However, it's important to note that the ground clearance will decrease by 20-30 mm when the car is fully loaded with passengers and luggage, especially near the rear wheels. For friends who frequently drive on rough roads, it's advisable to install an underbody guard, as the plastic guard under the engine compartment of this car is particularly prone to damage. Overall, the Highlander's off-road capability is much better than that of a sedan, but it still falls short compared to hardcore off-road vehicles.
As a frequent construction site visitor, I find the Highlander's ground clearance quite practical. The official figure is 203mm when unloaded, and I've measured the lowest point near the tires with a tape measure – it's close to that number. When fully loaded, it drops to around 180mm. It handles ordinary rural dirt roads fine, but be cautious on deeply rutted paths as the side steps can get scraped easily. The suspension has enough travel to prevent bottoming out on cross-axle situations. A reminder: upgrading to larger wheels reduces actual clearance – my neighbor's 22-inch wheels actually worsened its off-road capability.
The 203mm ground clearance of the Highlander is actually quite interesting. Previous models had 190mm, and the increased height in the new model makes it more suitable for light off-roading. I noticed that the lowest point is at the engine guard, which drops to around 180mm when fully loaded. This height is 30mm more than the CRV and 80mm less than the Prado. It easily handles 15cm curbs during normal driving, but caution is still needed when encountering heavy rain and waterlogged roads. Additionally, I'd like to remind everyone to regularly check tire pressure, as insufficient pressure can indirectly reduce ground clearance.
