All-terrain vehicles are necessary for hunters and fishermen, summer residents and villagers. And in some regions of the country the roads are so bad that only a car with high ground clearance and reliable suspension allows you to move normally, especially in the off-season. Therefore, such models will never lose their relevance with us. In this regard, we present to your attention a rating of the best cars with the highest ground clearance. It includes SUVs and crossovers, which can now be bought new in our country.
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.
List of minivans with high ground clearance
An exotic type of car for Russia, but passing by minivans, especially those with high ground clearance, is simply unacceptable. Interest in such cars is growing every year, so we have selected the best cars from this class.
Renault Espace
The ground clearance of this vehicle is 120 mm. Renault Espace is a large and comfortable car that is not afraid of off-road conditions. Many people prefer the Renault Espace due to its spacious and comfortable interior. The 1.9 liter diesel engine has excellent power and speed characteristics.
Many people call Renault Espace nothing more than a “cruising yacht”. This is the best high ground clearance minivan available today.
Citroen C8
This is a real traveler car. The car's ground clearance is 190 mm, which means you can drive such a car to visit relatives even in the far north. Many people fell in love with this French minivan due to its exterior. The inside of the cabin is cozy and spacious, it is possible to adjust the seats, move them, move them back.
The driving performance of the car is at a high level, good handling, in general, what else does a real traveler need?
Land Rover Range Rover
Perhaps our most famous British premium SUV. Land Rover Range Rover is equipped with all-wheel drive and has a ground clearance of 220 mm, which indicates its excellent cross-country ability. Therefore, it is perfect even for significant off-road conditions. It is a pity that in our country it is not usually customary to use it for its intended purpose. The car is sold with an automatic transmission and a full package of advanced electronics. It is available with powerful power plants, including gasoline, diesel and even hybrid. The maximum power of the car reaches an incredible 565 hp. With. But there are versions for calmer drivers, with less power. A car is considered a sign of status in Russia. It is famous for its rather high fuel consumption and is not always reliable. And they can often fix it only at dealerships for a lot of money. And the new SUV costs no less than seven million rubles.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Cars of this model became widely known in Russia back in the 90s of the twentieth century. Today they are no longer so popular in our country. But the Jeep Grand Cherokee still has fans. This is not surprising, since the all-wheel drive SUV has incredible cross-country ability and a huge ground clearance of 218 mm. Its speed and power qualities are also impressive. Now the car is equipped only with powerful gasoline power plants. The American's maximum power reaches a record 710 horsepower. However, the car is sold only with automatic transmission. It is considered quite safe and reliable. The car has high fuel consumption and quite expensive maintenance. But at the same time, it is well known to many specialists, and therefore there should not be any special problems with its maintenance and repair in our country.
Chevrolet Niva.
GM-AvtoVAZ has created an excellent cross-country crossover, which is very popular among compatriots. The all-wheel drive Chevrolet Niva has a distance from the body to the road of 200 millimeters, a two-speed transfer case, a locking center differential and an naturally aspirated engine with 80 horsepower. The cost of a domestic car with an American name ranges from 579,000 rubles to 704,000 rubles.
Audi Q7
The premium crossover of the famous German brand has almost the highest ground clearance in its class, amounting to as much as 235 mm. The Audi Q7 is reliable, comfortable and safe. Despite its impressive speed and power qualities, it is quite economical and is available only with a 3-liter diesel engine. Its power is as much as 249 “horses”. The car is sold with an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. It features a spacious interior and a spacious trunk. Despite the fact that in our country the crossover is usually used in big cities, it will cope perfectly with any off-road conditions. The vehicle's cross-country ability is in no way inferior to real SUVs and even surpasses some of them. Thanks to a variety of electronic assistants, a high degree of safety and comfort, the car is perfect for travel. Moreover, in Russia it is considered an indicator of luxury and wealth. The cost of a new car now starts at about 5.5 million rubles.
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.
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.
The most economical budget cars
Citroen C4 Cactus
Car fuel economy rating: 4.9
All car models included in the C4 line of the Citroen brand use the same set of engines and their modifications in conjunction with similar gearboxes. As part of the rating, we decided to highlight the Cactus as the most non-trivial and original car from a very conservative French company.
The most economical configuration of the Citroen C4 Cactus is a pair of 1.6-liter diesel engine (turbocharged e-HDi 92)/5-speed manual transmission: consumption per 100 kilometers on the highway will be only 3.5 liters. At the same time, the power characteristics are quite good: 92 horsepower can be considered as a powerful argument for a car positioned as an urban crossover - you can even try driving off-road. This is facilitated by the presence of special rubber linings on the body, and a “grand” deviation from the canons - for the first time in Citroen cars, the sills and wheel arches are finished with protective plastic.
Advantages
- finishing of thresholds and arches with plastic to protect the metal from corrosion and impact;
- very low fuel consumption for a 1.6-liter engine;
- Air Bump pads located along the body protect against impacts and minor scratches.
- acceleration to 100 kilometers per hour takes 9.3 seconds.
Flaws
- not detected.
Kia Rio FL
Car fuel economy rating: 4.8
In addition to the regalia of the best-selling Korean car in Russia, the Kia Rio FL is rightfully considered one of the most economical in its class. The noticeable appearance and high quality of technical implementation allowed the car to impose a serious fight on the Hyundai Solaris, and at the turn of 2022, beat its eternal competitor.
As part of this nomination, you should consider the diesel version of the Kia Rio FL, equipped with a 1.1-liter engine. Despite its modest volume figures, this “baby” produces up to 123 horsepower, and in conjunction with a 6-speed manual transmission, consumes only 3.6 liters of diesel fuel per 100 kilometers. Excellent performance for a car that can be classified as budget. This is a worthy second place in the ranking.
Advantages
- good acceleration dynamics;
- high power for a small engine;
- one of the most popular cars in Russia;
- Quite low cost of maintenance.
Flaws
- rustic exterior design.
Peugeot 208 VTi (1.0 l)
Car fuel economy rating: 4.7
The sophistication and elegance of the Peugeot 208 is not questioned in any more or less professional car review - this is a traditionally strong feature of the model and the French manufacturer as a whole. It just so happened that our rating included a package with a 1-liter three-cylinder engine for purely urban driving and little waste on repairs/maintenance and refueling.
Behind the attractive appearance of the Peugeot 208 version in question, very modest technical indicators are hidden: 68 horsepower and 95 Nm of torque at 3000 rpm. Of course, there is no need to talk about any dynamics here: the maximum speed does not exceed 163 kilometers per hour, and acceleration to hundreds takes as much as 14 seconds (however, for a curb weight of 1484 kilograms this is very equivalent). But the average highway consumption is 3.7 liters, which allows the car to come close to the leader of the rating.
Advantages
- compact and attractive city car;
- low cost of maintenance;
- ideal consumption parameters for driving in a city rhythm.
Flaws
- very “modest” engine characteristics.
Kia Picanto (1.0 l)
Car fuel economy rating: 4.6
A typical urban small car, released as an alternative to the Daewoo Matiz and compact hatchbacks from Toyota, as well as the Huyndai Getz and i10, which were not included in the Russian market. Since its release in 2004, it has undergone four restylings, and as of 2016 it has acquired features inherent in all representatives of the current line of cars from Kia.
Currently, Picanto trim levels offer a choice of only two engines: a liter R3 with 67 horsepower and a 1.25-liter R4 with 84 horsepower, respectively. The most economical of this pair is the first option: per 100 kilometers on the highway it consumes only 4.5 liters. The acceleration dynamics cannot be called bad either: 13.9 seconds to 100 kilometers per hour looks quite expected for a model that weighs 840 kilograms. The maximum possible speed is limited to 163 kilometers per hour, which is just right for moving around the city.
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Advantages
- repeated awards as the best small car according to Top Gear magazine and the decision of associations of independent auto publications;
- nice visual style
- small dimensions are ideally suited to urban conditions;
- good speed characteristics;
- low purchase price.
Flaws
- not detected.
Ford Fiesta (1.6 l)
Car fuel economy rating: 4.5
Since the Ford Fiesta with a 1.6-liter turbodiesel engine is far from a budget car, in this rating category we will consider a naturally aspirated gasoline model of the same volume. The beauty of the configuration under consideration lies in the competent balance between price and claims to a pleasant driving experience. In fact, many users note good movement dynamics, as well as the reliability and ease of maintenance of the unit.
In conjunction with a manual 5-speed gearbox, the Ford Fiesta 1.6 produces up to 105 horsepower, thanks to which it can accelerate to hundreds in 11.4 seconds. For a subcompact car, this is quite good. In addition, a big plus to the model’s advantages was the complete restyling of the body - the new look appealed to all connoisseurs of aesthetics and enlarged features, which the Americans from Ford emphasize. In the extra-urban cycle, the Fiesta with the designated engine and transmission configuration consumes only 4.5 liters per 100 kilometers, which is the fifth best result among the nominees in this category.
Advantages
- fairly economical fuel consumption;
- acceleration dynamics;
- high reliability of the power unit;
- updated body.
Flaws
- outdated gasoline engine architecture.
Mazda 3 (1.5 l)
Car fuel economy rating: 4.4
The 1.5-liter version of the Mazda 3, introduced to the automotive community in 2014, is one of the most fuel-efficient versions of the full-size sedan. The whole essence of this car lies in its representative appearance, truly beautiful and looks good against the background of its “classmate competitors”. But the driving dynamics and speed characteristics, alas, faded into the background.
In fact, the Mazda 3 has cultivated comfort, sacrificing dynamics for the feeling that business-class cars give. According to official data, acceleration to hundreds takes 11.6 seconds, and the maximum speed does not exceed 193 kilometers per hour. Highway consumption paired with a 5-speed manual transmission is 4.8 liters per 100 kilometers. The result is good, but if this version had a little more than 115 horsepower...
Advantages
- high level of driving comfort;
- representative appearance;
- an abundance of configurations for any needs (for the model as a whole);
- low fuel consumption and efficiency (taking into account the fact that the engine requires 95 gasoline).
Flaws
- low acceleration dynamics.
Ravon R2 (1.3 l)
Car fuel economy rating: 4.3
Ravon's two-door hatchback is a very controversial model. Striving to become a niche flagship for the urban environment and adapting to modern operating conditions (less money on maintenance - more impact), it manages to lose to its competitors in terms of fuel consumption and, quite simply, in terms of appearance.
A 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine is integrated into the angular body with enlarged features, producing up to 85 horsepower. By the way, the Renault Logan assortment still includes a 1.6-liter engine with a power of no more than 82 horses (however, this engine is 8-valve). As for the Ravon R2, the maximum speed is 163 kilometers per hour, and the first hundred is reached in 12.4 seconds. The controls are quite soft and understandable, but the hatchback, alas, lacks dynamics. For every 100 kilometers traveled, an average of 5.1 liters of gasoline is consumed - this is the seventh line in our rating.
Advantages
- updated body design (rejection of rounded shapes towards large features);
- slightly increased comfort conditions;
- integration of a new engine with a modernized architecture;
- low cost on the domestic Russian market.
Flaws
- the third generation of the Matiz car with all the attendant shortcomings.
Ford Focus (1.6 l)
Car fuel economy rating: 4.3
The Ford Focus can hardly be called a budget sedan - purchasing a new car can cost a pretty penny. However, it is definitely one of the most economical: the reason for this lies in the updated 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine. Thanks to a set of innovative technologies integrated into its development process, engineers were able to significantly increase power with virtually unchanged fuel consumption.
In addition to updating the power unit, the Ford Focus has also undergone dramatic cosmetic changes: the front part of the body, optics have been completely redesigned, and several volumetric lines have been added along the perimeter of the side part. We cannot point out any specific configuration from the entire variety presented, so we will give a general description of the entire model range: the engine is paired with a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic, produces from 105 to 180 horsepower and consumes 5. 1 - 6.3 liters per 100 kilometers.
Advantages
- significantly updated appearance;
- very large variation in the power indicators of a gasoline engine in conjunction with gearboxes;
- high degree of engine reliability.
Flaws
- The cost of the model is quite high on the Russian market.
Lada Vesta (1.6 l)
Car fuel economy rating: 4.2
A domestic sedan produced in 2015, which has become the main competitor in the Renault Logan segment. And, in terms of dynamics, Vesta is slightly superior to it: this can be seen in the overclocking characteristics. The domestic car reaches a speed of 100 kilometers per hour in 11.8 seconds, and in combination with an engine and an automatic transmission. In general, it turns out to be a rather strange situation: according to statistics, consumption with a 5-speed automatic turned out to be lower than with a 5-speed manual, and amounted to 5.3 liters per 100 kilometers in the extra-urban cycle.
The power of the standard Lada Vesta engine is 106 horsepower, and the torque reaches 148 Nm at 4200 rpm. Externally, the model looks nice, but does not evoke a feeling of “luxury” - this is due to the fact that the car belongs to the budget segment. There is also nothing special to say about the interior, since the decoration is pleasant and corresponds to the spirit of the times, but does not contain any unique solutions.
Advantages
- optimal characteristics of the “junior” engine of the series;
- low fuel consumption;
- full adaptation to movement on Russian roads.
Flaws
- not detected.
Renault Logan
Car fuel economy rating: 4.1
A constant competitor and partner of domestic sedans, from the current generation it has switched to an updated 1.6-liter engine. Logan has always been a car of increased interest (or even demand) from consumers, since its low price and satisfactory driving characteristics made it possible to operate the car harshly on the realities of Russian roads. Until recently, this model was associated with clumsy body features, but with each restyling, more and more rounded shapes appeared and, in the end, the look came closer to the concept of “presentable”.
According to the characteristics of the updated engine, Renault Logan is slightly ahead of Lada Vesta: 113 horsepower is removed from 1.6 liters. But the consumption figures paired with a 5-speed manual are slightly inferior - for every 100 kilometers on a country highway the car spends 5.6 liters. It’s a bit much, but Logan deserves to be included in the rating.
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Advantages
- updated appearance and interior;
- it is possible to select a modified 16-valve engine;
- improved driving performance;
- increased comfort of movement.
Flaws
- not detected.
Volkswagen Polo 1.4 TSI
Car fuel economy rating: 4.1
Continuity of engines, regardless of body type, is one of the features of the modern automobile industry. In the situation with the Volkswgen Polo, the user can purchase either a sedan or a hatchback, under the hood of which an economical 1.4-liter gasoline engine will be placed. At first glance, everything looks quite modest, but the presence of turbocharging and stratified injection (Turbo Stratified Injection) make the power unit one of the most technologically advanced in this category.
With a power of 100 horsepower, when driving on the highway, the Volkswagen Polo consumes only 5.7 liters per 100 kilometers. This is not bad, especially considering that the engine requires extremely expensive fuel (according to the specification - 95th Euro 5 standard). And of course, a manual gearbox with 5 shift stages also plays an important role in such consumption. We will not comment on the appearance of the car - the classic shape of the model is praised by calm people (mostly families), and condemned by lovers of interesting designs.
Advantages
- high power with a small engine volume;
- fairly low consumption;
- pragmatic style of the body and interior decoration.
Flaws
- The engine is very demanding on the quality of technical fluids.
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.
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.
Summing up
Good ground clearance means that the vehicle's maneuverability increases significantly. As a result, you can drive on any off-road without fear, without fear that the muffler or other elements located on the bottom of the vehicle will be damaged.
We have presented you with a list of models that are distinguished by good ground clearance, functionality and attractive appearance. All of them are perfect for driving around the city and for trips into nature.
Video review about high-clearance sedans:
Renault Captur
Renault Kaptur is a compact urban crossover with a very bright and original appearance, which is loved by many mainly young car enthusiasts who want to become noticeable on the road. Despite its purpose, the car has a very considerable ground clearance - it is 205 mm. At the same time, there are configurations with both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The car is only available with gasoline engines. The maximum power of the car is 149 horsepower. Russian-assembled French motors are reliable and quite economical. The car is available with a manual transmission or CVT. The reliability of the latter often raises doubts among car owners. The same can be said about the suspension. Therefore, the crossover, despite its good cross-country ability, is not recommended for frequent use off-road. At the same time, it is ideal for urban conditions. The car is distinguished by modern equipment, which cannot be called too rich. Many owners complain about the cramped interior and small trunk. They also talk about cheap interior plastics and poor-quality sound insulation, but the multimedia in the car is quite modern and multifunctional. It has a good sound. The car is considered one of the cheapest new crossovers in the country. Now its cost starts from a little over 1 million.
Small cars with high ground clearance
Small cars destroy all stereotypes. After all, many believe that high ground clearance is for the real giants of the road - SUVs. But, as practice has shown, small cars are capable of combining efficiency, practicality, reliability and high ground clearance. Let us highlight the main representatives from this segment.
Daewoo Matiz
The ground clearance of the Daewoo Matiz is about 150 mm, the wheelbase is 2340 mm, independent suspension and low consumption are a bonus for the car owner.
This cozy car is also different:
- The presence of a heated rear window;
- Possibility of mechanical adjustment of headlights;
- Door lock.
Yes, there is no luxury to be found here. But at a very affordable price of 300 thousand rubles, this is a decent and pleasant set of functions.
Fiat 500
A true legend from Fiat. This model is loved by many. Fiat 500 is a three-door hatchback with a ground clearance of 130 mm. Not too much, but enough for a miniature car. The car costs twice as much as the Daewoo Matiz, but it already comes with other functionality in various trim levels.
Fiat 500 is distinguished by the presence of:
- Air conditioning;
- Airbags;
- ABS, BAS system.
A small 1.2-liter gasoline engine consumes about 6.2 liters in urban conditions. Much less on the highway. You can purchase a Fiat 500 with a 1.4-liter engine, which has impressive speed performance.
Renault Duster
Renault Duster is one of the most affordable and unpretentious crossovers on the Russian new car market. It has been popular among domestic car enthusiasts for many years. This is not surprising, since the car has almost off-road ground clearance. It is equal to 210 mm. At the same time, there are versions not only with front-wheel drive, but also with all-wheel drive. The all-wheel drive crossover is practically not inferior to many SUVs in its cross-country ability. At the same time, its suspension is quite strong and durable. Therefore, the car is perfect for such use. The car is also famous for its fairly roomy interior and trunk, but it’s not easy to call it comfortable. The interior space is decorated with inexpensive materials, and there are few pleasant options. True, after a recent update, the crossover began to be equipped with a little more richly. In addition, a powerful version of it has appeared. Its power is 149 hp. With. In addition to gasoline engines, the car can also be sold with a diesel power plant. The car is very economical, and all its engines are quite unpretentious. The machine is equipped with a choice of manual transmission or CVT for consumers. The continuously variable transmission, according to many car owners and experts, is not durable. At the same time, the car itself is quite reliable and unpretentious. It does not require significant maintenance costs, and its cost now starts at about a million rubles.
Also, this list could well include cars such as Lada Vesta SW Cross and Lada XRay. They do not have all-wheel drive, but their ground clearance exceeds 200 mm. Therefore, these cars have fairly good cross-country ability. In addition, the new Lada Niva Travel has recently been released, which has begun to sell very actively, but it is too early to judge its popularity. Some Chinese crossovers also have high ground clearance. True, they are not as in demand by Russians as the models presented in the top.
Now you know which new cars on the Russian market have the highest ground clearance. Do you like off-road vehicles? Do you have experience owning such a car? Do the models presented here really cope well with off-road and bad roads? If you have any questions or want to tell us something interesting on the topic, write in the comments.
SUVs with high ground clearance
Outside the city, an SUV copes best with off-road conditions. This is an excellent tool for overcoming obstacles in your path. But it’s very difficult to “feed” such a monster in a crisis. But you can’t argue with the fact that the high ground clearance of an SUV is an honor for the car and the owner.
Chevrolet TrailBlazer
A real giant on wheels. Ground clearance is as much as 255 mm. With such a car there are no obstacles to fear. Plus, the wheelbase is phenomenal – 2845 mm. The Chevrolet TrailBlazer combines all the properties of a true mountain conqueror.
A high-quality interior, a powerful engine and a striking appearance make the TrailBlazer one of the most sought-after representatives in its segment.
Chevrolet Niva
This is an excellent family car. Plus, the Chevrolet Niva is an excellent guide when going fishing or hunting.
Let's note the advantages of Niva:
- Availability. A car can be purchased for 510 thousand rubles;
- Ground clearance - 200 mm;
- Good handling, all-wheel drive;
- High-torque engine, presence of differential.
So to speak, the Chevrolet Niva is the best option for those who like to go out into nature with the whole family and visit the far north.
