Ready for anything: cars with the highest ground clearance

The best cars with high ground clearance without air suspension

Many off-road enthusiasts consider air suspension to be pampering and do not recognize its presence on real SUVs. We won’t argue with them, everyone has the right to their own opinion, but it should be noted that the TOP SUVs that are in this rating are really not equipped with this option. Partly due to its relative fragility. Precisely relative. If you plan to load your car as much as possible and force it to make the most difficult journeys, then, of course, it is better to refuse this option.

Option "bad road package"

When choosing a car, many buyers pay attention to its ground clearance, and this is natural, because the vehicle’s cross-country ability depends on the ground clearance, and this is an important advantage in our operating conditions.

As a rule, jeeps, crossovers, and SUVs have high ground clearance.

But many manufacturers, meeting the buyer who does not want to buy an expensive car, but at the same time dreams of becoming the owner of a car with high ground clearance, are introducing a special “package for bad roads” option for sedans and hatchbacks.

As a rule, this package provides:

1. This model has increased ground clearance compared to its European counterpart, usually 3-5 cm;
2. Reinforced chassis (levers – thickened polyhedral steel, reinforced springs, shock absorbers);
3. Adaptation of the engine to our operating conditions (to our fuel);
4. Factory installed engine protection;
5. Other options depending on vehicle model.

But you need to take into account that the automaker indicates the ground clearance measured on an empty car; with passengers and cargo in the trunk, the ground clearance will decrease by a couple of centimeters, so many car owners, after purchasing a car, immediately try to increase this parameter using spacers, but this is another topic for discussion. And now about the main thing.

What criteria should you consider when choosing?

When choosing the best cars for use in domestic conditions, it is worth starting from such criteria as:

• reliability;
• security level;
• build quality;
• comfort;
• fuel efficiency;
• adaptation to the domestic climate;
• ride height (clearance).

At the same time, this does not mean that in Russia it will be possible to drive such cars at high speeds over bumps and potholes without noticing any irregularities. It’s just that in these cars you can overcome most road obstacles, feeling as comfortable as possible while driving, even in the most difficult areas.

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Outlander is a very popular crossover from a famous Japanese brand. It is in demand not only new, but also in the secondary market. The car is famous for its excellent cross-country ability, especially with all-wheel drive, and its ground clearance is 215 mm. Not every modern SUV has this ground clearance, so the car is perfect not only for the highway and the city, but also for off-road use. The crossover runs exclusively on gasoline. The consumer can choose from 2, 2.4 or 3 liter engines. Their power is 146, 167 or 227 horsepower, respectively. The car can be equipped with a CVT or automatic transmission. Versions with a continuously variable transmission are not very popular with many Russians, since this unit is considered short-lived, unreliable and quite expensive to repair and maintain. The car features a comfortable and modern interior with good spaciousness, as well as a recognizable exterior design. Its trunk is quite large and suitable for transporting large items and items. The car is quite affordable for many Russians. Even in the cheapest trim levels it is equipped quite well. The Outlander is considered safe, durable and unpretentious. It is known for its relatively low fuel consumption.

LADA 4×4 and Chevrolet Niva

The secret of Vesta’s lack of all-wheel drive, perhaps, lies in the fact that no one would take the Niva. The first domestic crossover rises above the asphalt by 205 mm, and the version created together with Chevrolet is already 220 mm.

In addition to high ground clearance, the driver can expect all-wheel drive, low weight, cross-axle differentials on two axles at once and thoughtful body geometry with favorable approach and departure angles. And the Niva also has permanent all-wheel drive, low-speed steering and differential locking.

These models are prime examples that capable cars don't have to be expensive. The average cost of a LADA 4×4 is 312 thousand rubles, a Chevrolet Niva is 362 thousand rubles.

Be careful when purchasing. Despite the fact that every third of the Nivas is given away without problems, there is a risk of buying a scrapped car, either in collateral, with incorrect mileage, restrictions or unpaid fines.

"Shnivy" are even more problematic. Most cars are sold after accidents, with unpaid fines. You can come across examples after a taxi, in collateral, leasing, with registration restrictions and twisted mileage.

Also read: Chevrolet Niva - from dirt to city. One owner experience

Sportage

The popularity of Kia cars is growing every year. At the same time, the manufacturer offers a wide range of vehicles, among which the all-wheel drive Sportage crossover stands out. For a price of 1.2 million rubles. you will receive a car with excellent quality, safety and reliability.

A roomy and comfortable car with an economical engine and a power of 150 horses - what more could you want from your car? For Russian customers, the manufacturer offers vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive. At the same time, the latter option will be preferable for frequent driving around the city, but off-road enthusiasts will like an all-wheel drive vehicle.

BMW X5

The premium Bavarian crossover with all-wheel drive has a ground clearance of 209 mm. This indicates its good cross-country ability. The BMW X5 can be purchased with both a diesel and a gasoline engine. There are power units for every taste, both for lovers of drive and for fairly calm motorists. The maximum power of the car reaches 625 horsepower. True, the fuel consumption of such an engine will not be very low. With proper maintenance and proper operation, the car is quite reliable. But its maintenance requires significant costs. The machine is equipped with the most advanced electronics. It offers excellent comfort and safety. It has an almost complete set of the most modern equipment. But such a crossover is not cheap. In the minimum configuration, now you will have to pay at least 5,500,000 rubles for it, or even more.

Octavia

A representative of the European C-class also appeared in our rating. We are talking about the Octavia model from the Skoda brand. The car is available in liftback and station wagon body styles. The ground clearance is quite modest - 15.5 cm, but the car has such advantages as:

• reliability;
• ease of repair;
• good adaptation to Russian roads.

The manufacturer took care of durable engines and stable suspension, so you don’t have to worry about frequent repairs. The great demand for the Skoda Octavia speaks for itself. And the cost of 950 thousand cannot but rejoice. Fuel consumption is also relatively low, which allows Skoda to get a couple more pluses.

Discovery

Another good car for Russia from the Land Rover brand. The cross-country ability here will be even higher than in the previous model. But such a machine also costs a lot - approximately 37 million rubles. This car is not afraid of obstacles of any complexity, including harsh domestic winters.

Buyers have access to vehicles with engines of 211-340 horsepower. Combined with a ground clearance of 24 cm, this allows the driver and passengers not to think about the quality of the road surface - various bumps and holes are not felt at all. There are no disadvantages, except for the high price. But if you can afford this car, then you can save yourself from many problems, because the model is perfectly adapted to our roads.

Nissan Terrano

It’s not for nothing that the budget crossover of the famous Japanese brand ended up on our list, because it has considerable ground clearance, which is as much as 205 mm. Therefore, it has good cross-country ability, especially in trim levels equipped with all-wheel drive. The car is very reliable and inexpensive. Its cost now starts from about one million rubles. Therefore, Nissan Terrano is budget. It cannot boast of super-powerful and high-speed engines, or luxurious interior trim. Inside and out, the crossover looks quite simple. The level of its equipment is also poor. But it contains the most necessary things for comfort and safety. True, the initial configurations are quite poor. The car is available only with gasoline engines. The maximum power of the car is 143 hp. With. Japanese engines are very reliable and economical. Nissan Terrano can be purchased with both manual and automatic transmission.

Amarok

Another Volkswagen is included in our rating of the best cars for use in domestic conditions. But you should expect that the Volkswagen Amarok is a more expensive solution. High-quality content and high reliability have made this pickup truck popular among domestic users.

The price here starts from 1.7 million. At the same time, the basic equipment demonstrates a fairly good set of safety systems and assistants, using which driving becomes much easier and more convenient. The model adds a few points and a solid ground clearance - it is 20.3 cm. For fans of pickup trucks, this option will probably be the most optimal. This vehicle combines excellent appearance and good cross-country ability, thanks to which the driver will feel confident on any road.

Nissan X-Trail

Nissan X-Trail is a very popular crossover in Russia from the famous Japanese manufacturer. It has excellent cross-country ability, especially in versions with all-wheel drive, as it has truly off-road ground clearance - as much as 210 mm. The car is very comfortable and safe. It is equipped with many modern electronic options, many of which are usually found in cars of a higher price category. The machine is offered with economical and reliable engines that run on diesel fuel or gasoline. The car can be equipped with either a reliable manual transmission or a rather delicate and demanding CVT. In general, the crossover is considered economical, roomy, safe and comfortable. There are many configurations to suit every taste. Even the cheapest versions can boast excellent equipment. At the same time, the cost of a car is now quite low. It starts from approximately 1,800,000 rubles.

Infiniti QX80

All-wheel drive luxury car with good ground clearance. The ground clearance of the Infiniti QX80 is as much as 234 mm. Therefore, it has excellent cross-country ability and is able to conquer any off-road conditions. True, in our country it is usually not customary to use it for this purpose. Here, a car with a brutal appearance, an expensive interior and an incredibly powerful engine is often used as an ordinary city car for every day, designed to emphasize the high position in society of its owner. The SUV is equipped with a gasoline engine with a volume of as much as 5.6 liters and a power of 405 horsepower. The power unit is quite reliable, but not very economical. Even in the combined cycle it can consume more than 14 liters of fuel. The car is available only with an automatic transmission and has a full range of advanced options. It is famous for its spacious interior for 7 or 8 people and a trunk convenient for transporting large cargo.