What is the minimum ground clearance of the Mazda3 Axela?
3 Answers
The minimum ground clearance of the Mazda3 Axela is approximately 150mm. The minimum ground clearance refers to the distance between the lowest point of the vehicle (excluding the wheels) and the supporting surface when the car is fully loaded and stationary. This measurement is used to indicate the vehicle's ability to pass over obstacles such as rocks and tree stumps without collision. Taking the 2020 Mazda3 Axela as an example, its body dimensions are: length 4662mm, width 1797mm, height 1445mm, wheelbase 2726mm, and fuel tank capacity 50 liters. The 2020 Mazda3 Axela is equipped with a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, with a maximum power of 86kW and a maximum torque of 148Nm, paired with a 6-speed manual transmission.
I've been driving the Mazda3 Axela for three years. The official specs don't list the exact minimum ground clearance, but actual measurements show about 15 cm when unloaded. The key is to consider the load! With three passengers in the back and the trunk fully loaded with luggage, it drops to 13 cm in real-world tests—I scraped the undercarriage twice during Chinese New Year trips to the countryside. Never charge through rough roads like an SUV; crossing potholes at an angle is much safer. The factory-fitted 18-inch wheels have thin tire sidewalls—if you don't slow down for speed bumps, the rims can easily get dented (learned this the hard way). Adding an engine skid plate will reduce clearance by another 1 cm, so think carefully about your usage before modifying.
Having repaired cars for over a decade, I've measured many Mazda 3 (Axela) chassis. The minimum ground clearance varies by measurement point: the lowest part of the front bumper spoiler is about 13-14 cm, while the engine oil pan sits higher at 16 cm. The front end is approximately 2 cm lower than the rear, making the front lip prone to scraping when exiting underground garages. Maintain tire pressure above 2.3 Bar – insufficient pressure reduces clearance by 1 cm. Tire size significantly impacts clearance; OEM 45-profile low-profile tires are more susceptible to undercarriage contact than 55-profile ones. Lowering springs improve handling but reduce clearance to 12 cm, requiring extra caution on rural dirt roads.
