A car that can carry 5-9 passengers, large cargo, provide sufficient maneuverability on our roads... All these criteria are largely met by all-wheel drive minivans with high ground clearance. Having small dimensions, they are distinguished by a large usable volume and the ability to easily transform the interior, which attracts the attention of various consumer groups to them.
The demand for them is constant and quite high. Many automakers have cars of this class in their lineup. They have been largely replaced by crossovers, which have borrowed many of the features of minivans. However, minivans are still in demand, and therefore profitable for production.
Very few minivans are produced or officially sold by foreign companies on the domestic market. And a minivan with high ground clearance is an even rarer bird among them. The entire demand is practically satisfied by cars imported from abroad from the secondary market.
The advantages of using minivans include:
An all-wheel drive minivan with high ground clearance is a vehicle for recreation for the whole family, for fishing and hunting, for travel, it is a real home on wheels.
- large capacity – the number of seats can reach 9;
- ease of operation - for all its spaciousness, this is a passenger car;
- versatility - suitable for large families, companies, and travel;
- transformability – it is possible to quickly change the internal space depending on the current situation (transportation of goods, organization of sleeping places);
- the high position of the driver and passenger seats increases visibility.
If the minivan has all-wheel drive and high ground clearance, then cross-country ability is added to its advantages. It can’t outrun a full-fledged SUV, but it will be quite capable of coping with most of the obstacles encountered on our roads.
High ground clearance and a high center of gravity of the car also give a negative factor - lower vehicle controllability. You should not sharply take turns on it at high speeds to avoid capsizing. In fact, this is the only disadvantage, which, with proper organization of car safety and proper driving, is reduced to a minimum.
Who is a minivan suitable for?
Considering various options for the layout and “stuffing” of minivans, we can divide the groups of potential users into the following:
- Families. It could be just a large family, or it could be a small but active family that often goes out into nature or to the countryside. The car must carry not only passengers, but have a fairly spacious cargo compartment and have good cross-country ability. This kind of user most often chooses an economical minivan with high ground clearance.
- Fishermen and hunters. Such categories of people often take with them a lot of gear and equipment. At the same time, they try to get as close as possible to the place of fishing or hunting, overcoming roads with or without various surfaces. For them, space to accommodate all the cargo and maneuverability are important.
- Travelers. They will appreciate the internal volume of the car when organizing sleeping places and placing all the necessary things for the trip. Cross-country ability also matters – you never know where it will take you.
Let's take a closer look at which minivans have a fairly high ground clearance.
Toyota Alphard minivan with high ground clearance
The car began to be produced relatively recently and has incorporated many developments tested on other SUVs. As a result, Toyota engineers received a reliable car with excellent driving characteristics. It is positioned as a top-class minivan, which explains its rather high price. It is equipped with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and an automatic transmission. Ground clearance 168 mm. Engine capacity 2.4, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5 liters depending on generation. Has 6 seats and 5 doors. Currently no longer in production.
Toyota Sienna minivan with high ground clearance
Another Japanese representative. It has been produced since 1997 and has already had three generations. The production continues to this day. Has 5 doors and 7 seats. Ground clearance 168 mm. The transmission is only automatic. It is equipped with both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The engines that are installed on it are also found on top models, which indicates high reliability, and also that the cost of such a car cannot be low.
Hyundai Starex H-1
Minivan Hyundai-Starex H-1 with high ground clearance
A worthy, inexpensive alternative to Japanese cars. Popularity in the American market may indicate high quality. Produced since 1996. However, it is believed that you should not purchase cars manufactured earlier than 2001 due to their shortcomings. Has 4 doors and 9 seats. Ground clearance 190 mm. Plug-in all-wheel drive. It can be equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission or a 5-speed manual transmission. The engine can be either diesel – 2.5 liters or petrol – 2.4 liters.
Minivan Volkswagen Multivan with high ground clearance
Full-size, multifunctional minivan. It is equipped with both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive - 4Motion. The transmission can be either a 5-6-speed manual or a 7-speed automatic. Number of doors – 4, seats – 7. Ground clearance is 186 cm. It is particularly comfortable and richly equipped. In 2011 it was recognized as the best car in its class.
Lada largus cross
Multivan Lada largus cross with high ground clearance
For driving on city roads, a compact minivan with high ground clearance, such as the Lada Largus Cross, is suitable. There is a choice of configurations with 5 or 7 seater seats, high ground clearance of 170mm, car dimensions Length 4470, Width 1750, Height 1636. Under the hood is a 102 horsepower engine. The 7-seater version of the car has a trunk volume of 135 liters and a 5-seater version has 560 liters, but if you fold the seats of the 2nd and 3rd rows, you get an impressive volume of 2350 liters. It allows you to move comfortably in traffic and park perfectly anywhere. In such a car you can carry your kids, go to the store, and buy everything you need, without worrying about comfort and lack of space for luggage. Driving on narrow one-way streets will be especially advantageous.
Minivan Volkswagen Touran with high ground clearance
Well, for a traveler, especially over long distances, not only comfort is important, but also the opportunity to stay in the black after the vacation. The solution would be an economical minivan with high ground clearance. Its dimensions are in the medium range. This car is equipped with several versions of engines, both gasoline and diesel. The most economical 110 hp. has 6.9 in the city, 4.7 highway and 5.5 in the combined cycle, it is a gasoline engine with a manual transmission of 1.2 liters, but a diesel engine has a consumption of 5.4, 4, 4.5 liters per hundred kilometers and a volume of 1.6 liters with a manual transmission. Dimensions 4523 mm length, 1829 width and 1659 height, ground clearance 156 mm.
A compact minivan with high ground clearance is unlikely to lose its relevance in the near future. Despite the great popularity of crossovers, they cannot fully replace them. First of all, this is due to the internal organization of space - the presence of “full” 7 or more seats and their easy dismantling.
There is a need for such machines and this is obvious to everyone. They will be of particular interest in the budget sector of the market, as it is the most accessible in our country.
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Minivans with all-wheel drive: models and their characteristics
A minivan is the ideal car for traveling long distances. If it is also all-wheel drive, then you can travel in it along quite difficult routes or on icy roads. Let's take a look at our website to see which all-wheel drive minivans are available today to connoisseurs of the 4x4 wheel arrangement.
UAZ-452
UAZ-452 is a legendary Soviet van that has been produced at the Ulyanovsk plant since 1965. Over 50 years, many modifications have appeared. Everyone knows the UAZ-452A ambulance vans or the UAZ-452D chassis (flatbed UAZ). Today, UAZ produces several main versions:
- UAZ-39625 - a glazed van with 6 passenger seats, costs from 395 thousand;
- UAZ-2206 - minibus for 8 and 9 passengers, from 560 thousand (or from 360 thousand under the recycling program and with a credit discount);
- UAZ-3909 is a van with a double cabin, popularly known as a “farmer”.
Well, there are several more modifications with a wooden body and a single cab (UAZ-3303) and with a double cab and body (UAZ-39094).
All these cars come with rigidly connected all-wheel drive and a transfer case. They have proven their resistance to the harshest Siberian conditions and, for example, in Yakutia they are the main means of passenger transportation.
VAZ-2120
VAZ-2120 is an all-wheel drive minivan, known under the beautiful name “Nadezhda”. From 1998 to 2006, 8 thousand copies were produced. Unfortunately, production stopped there due to a serious lag in terms of price/quality. But, looking at the photos and reading about the technical characteristics, we understand that “Nadezhda” could have been justified:
- 4-door minivan with 7 seats;
- four-wheel drive;
- 600 kilogram load capacity.
“Nadezhda” reached speeds of up to 140 km/h and consumed 10 liters in the combined cycle, which is not much for a car weighing 1400 kg or 2 tons when fully loaded. Due to the low level of sales at AvtoVAZ, a decision was made to stop production and all attention was paid to the development of the famous Russian SUV VAZ-2131 (five-door Niva).
An even worse fate awaited the all-wheel drive domestic minivan based on the UAZ-Patriot - UAZ-3165 "Simba" . It could become a full-fledged and more affordable replacement for many foreign analogues. It was assumed that the Simba would be designed for 7-8 passenger seats, and the model with an extended overhang would accommodate 13 passengers. However, only a few prototypes were produced and the project was closed, hopefully temporarily.
Honda Odyssey
Honda Odyssey - comes in both front- and all-wheel drive versions, designed for 6-7 passengers, 3 rows of seats. Produced in China and Japan, the main consumers are the Asian and North American markets.
As of 2013, the Odyssey was considered the most popular minivan in the United States.
There are several basic trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L (long wheelbase), Touring, Touring-Elite.
It is not officially sold in Russia, although you can find advertisements for the sale of Honda Odyssey without mileage. Interestingly, in the USA prices range from 28 to 44 thousand dollars, while in Russia and Ukraine a minivan costs an average of 50-60 USD.
Dodge Grand Caravan
(function(w, d, n, s, t) ( w[n] = w[n] || ; w[n].push(function() ( Ya.Context.AdvManager.render(( blockId: "R-A -136785-3", renderTo: "yandex_rtb_R-A-136785-3", async: true )); )); t = d.getElementsByTagName("script"); s = d.createElement("script"); s .type = "text/javascript"; s.src = "//an.yandex.ru/system/context.js"; s.async = true; t.parentNode.insertBefore(s, t); ))(this , this.document, "yandexContextAsyncCallbacks");The Grand Caravan is another popular all-wheel drive family minivan from America. In 2011, Dodge underwent a significant facelift - the radiator grille became less sloping and more massive, and the suspension system was improved. A new 3.6-liter Pentastar engine is installed, which works in conjunction with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
In Moscow, a Dodge Grand Caravan with a mileage of up to 50 thousand and manufactured in 2011-2013 will cost about 1.5-1.6 million rubles. The car will be worth the money, you just need to evaluate the interior. And if you remove the two rows of rear seats, the luggage compartment will be somewhat reminiscent of the luggage compartment of a transport aircraft.
The Grand Caravan is also available under other names: Plymouth Voyager, Chrysler Town & Country. In Europe, it is produced in Romania and sold under the name Lancia Voyager. A new minivan with a 3.6-liter engine will cost from 2.1 million rubles.
Mazda 5
Mazda 5 is a minivan with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. It is available in a 5-seater version, although for an additional fee the car will be equipped with the mysterious Japanese “Karakuri” option, thanks to which you can increase the number of seats to seven by transforming the second row of seats.
The minivan earned 5 stars. The safety system is excellent: there are front and side airbags, blind spot monitoring systems, road markings, etc. Powerful engines accelerate the 1.5-ton minivan to hundreds in 10.2-12.4 seconds. Prices in Moscow car dealerships start from one million rubles.
Mercedes Viano
Mercedes Viano is a modernized version of the popular Mercedes Vito. Equipped with a 4Matic all-wheel drive system, there are also rear-wheel drive options. It was introduced in 2014 with a diesel engine. Designed for 8 seats, and it can be used as a full-fledged motor home, in which case we suggest paying attention to the camper version - Marco Polo, which has a lifting roof, rows of seats that transform into beds, and kitchen equipment.
Prices for V-Class Mercedes are quite high and start at 3.3 million. You can find offers for the sale of Mercedes Viano for 11-13 million rubles.
Nissan Quest
Nissan Quest is a minivan that is produced in the USA, so you can only buy it at auctions or import it from Japan or Korea. Nissan Quest was built on the basis of the American minivan Mercury Villager, the first presentation was held in Detroit back in 1992, and since then the car has survived 3 generations and has changed a lot for the better.
An updated version of the Nissan Quest III appeared in 2007. What appears before us is a modern minivan, but with a slight touch of conservatism. The driver has access to all safety systems, plus a lot of additional options - from a 7-inch navigation panel to parking sensors built into the rear and front bumpers.
Since this is a family car, it is equipped with a powerful 3.5 engine with 240 hp, and a 4-speed manual or 5-speed automatic. It seats seven people and comes with both all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. It is not officially sold in Russia, but you can find advertisements where prices for new cars with minimal mileage range from 1.8 million rubles (built in 2013-2014).
All-wheel drive minivans and minibuses can rightfully be called the most convenient car from the point of view of operation, combining the advantages of several classes at once - minivans themselves, SUVs and all-terrain station wagons.
In fact, such a machine can solve any problems of a summer resident, fisherman-hunter, outdoor enthusiast, family man, or just an ordinary resident of a provincial town.
Manufacturers realized this, and in the mid-80s and early 90s, most Japanese companies had similar models. Their convenience and reliability are still legendary, and many copies are still actively used by their owners.
All-wheel drive minivans these days
It just so happens that all-wheel drive 7-8-seater minivans with high ground clearance are practically not produced today. Only rare companies decide to release such versions, and this is dictated by only one market factor - the ubiquitous popularity of crossovers.
The latter, as is known, have significantly displaced traditional frame SUVs, and minibuses with all-wheel drive at one time completely disappeared from the market. In practice, it turns out that a crossover is not able to fully replace a similar car.
First of all, an all-wheel drive minivan is much more convenient in terms of organizing the internal space. The presence of seven seats in it is not nominal, but a completely “working” solution. At the same time, riders can move between rows of seats, not to mention the fact that the seats can be dismantled, creating a full-fledged cargo compartment.
It is known that many of our compatriots fell in love with Japanese all-wheel drive minivans for fishing and hunting precisely for this reason.
Today, in fact, we have only one all-wheel drive minivan model on the market. In addition, a similar solution has long been successfully produced by the domestic UAZ - the well-known “loaf” UAZ-39625. However, it is unlikely that its level of comfort, or rather its complete absence, will allow it to be considered a solution for lovers of active recreation.
Who buys them and why?
Based on the above, it becomes clear that the main “supplier” of all-wheel drive minivans with high ground clearance is the secondary market. And based on sales data, you can quite clearly determine who exactly buys such cars.
- Family people, who often travel to nature, as well as summer residents. The presence of all-wheel drive and high ground clearance allows such car owners to drive on any roads, and the spaciousness of the car makes it possible to easily transport both cargo and passengers.
- Travelers. For travel, a minivan or minibus with high ground clearance and all-wheel drive is optimal due to its cross-country ability and the ability to organize sleeping places inside the car.
- Hunter-fishermen. For them, the car turns out to be convenient due to the above-mentioned properties, but at the same time it makes it possible to easily transport cargo and equipment over long distances on roads with any surface or without them.
A selection of popular all-wheel drive minivans and minibuses with high ground clearance
Today, the market for all-wheel drive minivans with high ground clearance is represented, for the most part, by models from the secondary market, as well as vehicles that are not officially supplied to the domestic market.
In this selection, we will try to consider those cars that are relatively “fresh” and their purchase can be profitable in terms of financial operating costs.
Japanese
Mitsubishi Delica
This all-wheel drive minibus with high ground clearance is one of the classic representatives of its class. A roomy interior with seats that can be moved at the owner's request, a high level of comfort, high ground clearance, all-wheel drive and reliable engines made the car almost ideal for utilitarian tasks.
Depending on the year of manufacture on the secondary market, the cost of individual copies varies in the range from 100 to 500 thousand rubles. It is worth noting the presence of diesel versions, which are economical and highly reliable.
Video - story about Mitsubishi Delica (Japanese “loaf” for 400 thousand):
The downside is that most Deliks on the domestic market are right-hand drive, which will require some getting used to and leads to some difficulties. However, this fact has a positive effect on the price - in Russia, right-hand drive versions are traditionally cheaper than regular ones.
Toyota Sienna
Very often, reviews include this large and comfortable minivan, produced for the US market to this day.
Video - popular test drive of the Toyota Sienna minivan:
Unfortunately, the car is not suitable for those who like high ground clearance and off-road driving, since it has ground clearance equal to the standard front-wheel drive version. So the only advantage of the AWD version can be stability on a snowy winter road.
Toyota Hiace
This minibus is still produced in Japan and has both mono- and all-wheel drive versions. What’s good about the 4x4 version is that the car’s ground clearance can compete with serious SUVs.
Video - review of the Japanese minivan Toyota Hayes:
All-wheel drive modifications are rare on the secondary market, but are in stable demand.
Korean
Hyundai Starex H-1
This minivan with high ground clearance can be considered a full-fledged all-terrain vehicle. The model is relatively fresh, its design looks quite modern, especially for the restyled version, the production of which started after 2010.
Video review of Hyundai Starex:
The car was offered with diesel power units of 116 and 170 horsepower, as well as a 2.4-liter gasoline engine with a capacity of 170 horsepower.
Due to the fact that the car is relatively “fresh”, you can find examples in very good condition on the secondary market. Also, the advantages include high spaciousness, as well as the traditional location of the steering wheel.
European
Mercedes-BenzR-Class
This all-wheel drive minivan became a kind of experiment for the manufacturer, which did not receive further development (unless you consider the all-wheel drive E-class station wagon, presented quite recently, as such).
Video - test drive of Mercedes-Benz R Class:
The secondary market offers quite a large selection of these cars, and the equipment of this semi-minivan is truly royal. It includes a leather interior, alloy wheels, a climate system, heated seats, the entire imaginable set of electric drives and much more. The engine power is 306 horsepower and fuel consumption is 13 liters per 100 km.
Volkswagen Multivan (Volkswagen California)
This minibus with all-wheel drive is considered a kind of crowning achievement of German engineers. Comfortable and roomy, it has increased ground clearance and is designed for long-distance family trips and outdoor activities.
Video review of VOLKSWAGEN MULTIVAN:
As disadvantages, two factors can be noted - high cost and the fact that the actual ground clearance of the car is still too small for Russian roads.
New items
Unfortunately, today the market is not pleasing to those who want to buy an all-wheel drive minivan with high ground clearance.
Relatively speaking, there is only one car on the domestic market - the Ssang Yong Stavic. With a length of five meters, the car has not a record, but still quite high ground clearance.
Video - presentation of SsangYong Rodius Stavic Turismo:
The main advantage of the minivan is its comfort and wealth of equipment, as well as a full seven-seater interior.
The Ssang Yong Stavic is equipped with a two-liter engine, which can be combined with either a five-speed automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual transmission.
It should be noted that the crisis forced the Korean company to suspend shipments of the car, and its return to domestic space is still in question.
Among the new products for 2017 there are cars with high ground clearance and all-wheel drive, which have more capacity. These include the Skoda Kodiak and Volkswagen Atlas - new models that quite claim to be family cars. There is only one “but” - these cars have nothing in common with minivans and are traditional crossovers.
By the way, many manufacturers began to abandon the so-called traditional minivans, replacing them with the same SUVs. I would like to believe that in the future we will see new products in this segment, because the need for all-wheel drive minivans exists and this is obvious.
It is desirable that these cars be positioned in a relatively budget segment, since, alas, not many people can afford the purchase of expensive crossovers in our country. Time will tell whether hopes will come true.
Why do they advise
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Review of all-wheel drive minivans with high ground clearance
If you're looking for a vehicle that's ideal for large families and off-road driving, look no further than all-wheel drive, high ground clearance minivans. The list of such cars officially presented in Russia is not very large, so you may have to turn to foreign car auctions, which we previously wrote about on the site. You can also use Japan or any other country. Such pleasure will not be cheap, but after a while the purchase will fully justify itself.
Hyundai H-1 (Starex)
Hyundai H-1, which is presented today in the showrooms of official dealers, comes with rear-wheel drive. This is a representative of the second generation of this minivan. However, the first generation of the minibus, called Starex, was offered with both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
In addition, both the second and first generations were distinguished by a fairly high ground clearance - 190 millimeters. This is quite enough for safe driving on curbs, as well as for driving on relatively light off-road conditions, such as on the beach or unpaved roads.
Hyundai H-1 Starex is available in several body styles:
- 4-door passenger minivan that can accommodate up to nine people, including the driver;
- cargo-passenger version;
- cargo double van with three doors and two seats.
The body length of this minivan is 5125 mm. It comes with automatic and manual transmission with 5 speed ranges. Over the entire existence of this minibus, it was equipped with a large number of power units.
Now it is sold with two types of engines:
- 2.5-liter diesel engine with 145 hp;
- 2.4-liter gasoline engine with 159 hp.
One of the modifications of the passenger minivan is called the Hyundai H-1 Grand Starex; it can comfortably accommodate up to 12 people.
The new Hyundai H-1 with rear-wheel drive will cost about 1.9-2.2 million rubles. If you only need an all-wheel drive option with high ground clearance, then you will have to look on ad sites where used cars are sold. In this case, a car manufactured in 2007 or later can cost from 500 thousand to a million rubles.
Honda Odyssey
The first generation of this minivan, which is available in both all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive versions, appeared back in 1996. The car was designed specifically for the North American and Asian markets. Not officially sold in Russia.
This is an ideal car for a large family; it still enjoys well-deserved popularity and has reached its fourth generation. If you want to buy a Honda Odyssey in Russia, you will have to search on ad sites. These cars are especially popular in the Far East, as they were imported there in large quantities from South Korea and Japan. True, most cars are right-hand drive.
The price for a Honda Odyssey of earlier years of production starts from 500-600 thousand rubles. This will be a minivan imported from Asia, approximately 2004-2005. If your finances allow you to fork out for a brand new car, then in the USA for a 2015-2016 Honda Odyssey (5th generation) you will have to pay an amount from 29 to 45 thousand dollars.
In its most recent modification, Odysseus has the following characteristics:
- 5-door minivan with 7-8 seats;
- body length will be 5154 mm;
- ground clearance height - 155 millimeters;
- 3.5-liter diesel engine with 248 hp;
- front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive;
- Fuel consumption is about 11 liters in the combined cycle.
The car is equipped with an automatic transmission and has good dynamic characteristics. True, it is sad that you cannot purchase it in Russia from an official dealer; you will have to place an order, paying, in addition to the high cost, all the associated costs.
Toyota Sienna
Another all-wheel drive minivan aimed at the markets of the USA, Western Europe and East Asia. It is not officially represented in Russia. The car has been produced from 1997 to the present, while the first sample of the third generation was released in 2010, and in 2015 a significant facelift was carried out as part of the third generation.
It was the second generation Toyota Sienna that had the best characteristics for driving on bad roads:
- 5-door minivan with 8 seats;
- ground clearance - 173.5 millimeters;
- the most powerful 3.5-liter turbodiesel engines with 266 horsepower;
- body length - 5080 or 5105 mm.
Since 2010, the characteristics have changed slightly: the ground clearance has been reduced to 157 mm, and the body has been shortened to 5080 mm. However, it is still a powerful minivan, suitable for comfortable trips with 7-8 people, including the driver.
Unfortunately, it is unlikely that you will be able to buy a new Sienna in Russia. In the USA, prices for it are comparable to prices for a Honda Odyssey, since these are cars of the same class - from 29 to 42 thousand dollars.
Dodge Grand Caravan
This minivan is also known under other names: Chrysler Town&Country, Plymouth Voyager, RAM C/V, Lancia Voyager. The model first debuted back in 1995. Since then, many modifications have been released both for the domestic American market and for Europe.
This is a 5-door minivan with 7 seats. The body length is 5070 mm. Ground clearance in different models ranges from 145-160 mm. The car is equipped with powerful diesel and gasoline engines.
The Dodge Grand Caravan IV is equipped with a powerful 3.8-liter diesel engine and the same gasoline engine running on A-87 gasoline (USA). It is capable of squeezing out 283 horsepower. A used Caravan from 2010-2012 in the USA will cost about 10-15 thousand dollars. In Russia it is 650-900 thousand rubles. New models will cost from 30 thousand dollars and above.
Among other all-wheel drive minivans with high ground clearance, you can pay attention to the following models:
- Mazda5;
- Volkswagen Multivan Panamericana - a cross-version of the popular California multivans, designed specifically for trips by noisy groups into nature;
- Volkswagen Sharan 4Motion;
- Kia Sedona.
There are a lot of cars with high ground clearance; it is impossible to list all the models in one article, but we will consider the most popular of them, those that are in great demand in the automobile market.
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:
- This model has increased ground clearance compared to its European counterpart, usually 3-5 cm;
- Reinforced chassis (levers – thickened polyhedral steel, reinforced springs, shock absorbers);
- Adaptation of the engine to our operating conditions (to our fuel);
- Factory installed engine protection;
- 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, but this is another topic for conversation. And now about the main thing.
High ground clearance SUVs
There are many modifications of the car, as a rule they all have all-wheel drive.
Here are the ground clearance parameters for some models:
- Nissan Patrol (Y62(2014)) with an engine capacity of 5.6 liters has a ground clearance of 273 mm.
- Model Y62 5.6 4WD 2010 – 2014 – 275 mm.
- Y61 models from 2004 to 2013 by modification: 3.0 TD 4WD, 4.8 4WD – 220 mm.
- Y61 models from 2002 to 2004 by modification: GR 3.0 TD 4WD, GR 4.8 4WD -220 mm.
- Y61 models from 1997 to 2002 by modification: GR 2.8 TD 4WD, GR 3.0 TD 4WD, GR 4.2 TD 4WD, GR 4.5 4WD – 220 mm.
Since 2007, only the all-wheel drive modification of the car has been supplied to Russia; it belongs to the class of full-size SUVs (until 2003, mid-size).
The 5.6-liter V-shaped eight-cylinder engine with a 7-speed automatic transmission develops a power of 405 hp.
Ground clearance for Infiniti QX80257 mm.
Mercedes-Benz GL.
Belongs to the class of full-size crossovers, since 2015 - GLS-class.
There are two generations of the car, X164 (produced from 2006 to 2012) and X166 (produced since 2012).
The following were restyled:
- The first generation of X164 in 2009 (for example, the GL 450 CDI restyling model);
- The second is the X166 in 2015 (GLS 350d, restyling).
With the size of the ground clearance of the Mercedes-Benz GL, not everything is clear; the fact is that the car is equipped with air suspension, for example, in the first generation X164 it is present on all models. Finding a car without air suspension is quite problematic.
Accordingly, the ground clearance of the Mercedes-Benz GL (GLS) is adjustable, the maximum is 307 mm, the minimum is 205 mm.
Belonging to the SUV class is a rather rare car on our roads. 50% of produced units have all-wheel drive.
Refers to cars with high ground clearance; depending on the model, the ground clearance can be 178, 180 and 203 mm.
Land Rover Range Rover.
The well-known SUV, equipped with air suspension, is perfect for use in our conditions.
Depending on the modification, it has different ground clearance, which can vary from 221 to 295 mm.
Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro (USA).
There are two modifications of this car: Toyota 4Runner and Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro.
In the first case, this is a regular version of the car, developed for the US market. Depending on the modification and year of manufacture, the ground clearance for this model can be 221, 228, 229, 231 and 244 mm.
Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro is a car specially designed for off-road driving. The introduced design innovations (and there are quite a few of them) made it possible to increase the vehicle's ground clearance to 283 mm.
Jeep Grand Cherokee.
All-wheel drive SUV with high ground clearance. Depending on the modification, year of manufacture (from 1992 to 2013) and type of suspension, ground clearance can be 200, 210, 218, 221 mm.
The latest versions of the car were produced with Quadra Lift air suspension, thanks to which the Jeep Grand Cherokee's ground clearance can be increased to 282 mm.
Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk.
A compact SUV with all-wheel drive, specially designed for off-road driving. It has a ground clearance of 221 mm, while its predecessor Jeep Cherokee has a ground clearance of only 151 mm.
Crossovers with high ground clearance
It occupies one of the leading positions among all-wheel drive crossovers with high ground clearance. The vehicle's ground clearance is 270 mm.
In Europe, one of the best-selling models from Audi; a special highlight of the car is the transmission with Quattro technology.
A sports all-wheel drive crossover with a low ground clearance of 205 mm for this type of vehicle. But given the sporty nature of the car, this figure is acceptable.
The crossover can cope with moderately difficult off-road conditions with a bang.
Volkswagen Touareg.
Depending on the generation and modification, the ground clearance of the car can be 200, 220, 230 and 237 mm, and for the off-road version with air suspension 300 mm.
Therefore, the Volkswagen Touareg in all generations can safely be classified as a car with high ground clearance.
Skoda Octavia Scout.
The all-wheel drive mid-size crossover was specially designed for off-road travel and the ground clearance of 171 mm fully provides it with such capabilities.
Belongs to the class of mid-size crossovers. On the Russian market since 2006 and during this time it has gained great popularity. Therefore, it is not surprising that in 2014 an updated version of the car (II) appeared on the market.
There are front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions of the car.
The car's ground clearance is:
- All-wheel drive version with 16-inch wheels – 190 mm;
- Front-wheel drive version with 15-inch wheels – 165 mm, with 16-inch wheels – 175 mm;
- For the second generation SX4 (II) – 180 mm.
Depending on the country of assembly (Hungary or Japan), the ground clearance may change up or down, but not more than 10 mm.
Compact SUV. Two generations of the car were produced in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions.
Depending on the generation, modification, year of manufacture and type of drive, the Acura RDX can have a ground clearance of 159 mm (130 mm when fully loaded) and 205 mm, which provides it with decent off-road capability.
This is a mid-size crossover developed on the basis of the BMW E39 series. The letter "X" indicates that this is an all-wheel drive version of the car.
It has a ground clearance of 180 mm, in the E70 body – 212 mm.
Such ground clearance and all-wheel drive ensure confident movement of the car over moderately rough terrain.
It is worth paying attention to the domestic manufacturer - a new model with high ground clearance.
Station wagons with the highest ground clearance
A station wagon, which, depending on the year of manufacture of the model and the type of drive, has a different, but quite large ground clearance. The numbers are as follows - 190, 200, 210 mm, which is enough to overcome simple off-road areas.
Both all-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, and models with plug-in rear-wheel drive were produced.
Audi A4 allroad Quattro.
The five-door station wagon with a reinforced body is an improved modification of the A4 Avant.
Thanks to 17-inch alloy wheels and 180 mm ground clearance, the Audi A4 allroad Quattro has improved off-road qualities.
Five-door (three-door Sport version) hatchback with high ground clearance. With the exception of the sports version of the Suzuki Ignis Sport, which has a ground clearance of 160 mm, all other modifications with engines 1.2, 1.3, 1.5 have a ground clearance of 170 mm.
Skoda Octavia Combi.
One of the best station wagons on the automotive market. Available in various modifications (for the Russian market with suspension for bad roads).
Most models have ground clearance of 155 mm. But there are exceptions.
The Skoda Octavia Combi RS 2.0 TSI has a ground clearance of 127 mm. And the 1.8 TSI 4x4 modification has 154 mm.
It cannot be said that the station wagon has good cross-country ability; it is definitely comfortable for them to move in urban conditions or on flat roads, because the ground clearance of the Peugeot 308 SW varies from 160 to 170 mm, and if measured from the engine protection, this figure will hardly exceed 130 mm.
But we could not ignore this model, since the Peugeot 308 SW has an excellent interior transformation and the ability to transport large cargo, and such properties are not inherent in many station wagons.
In addition to the station wagon, the car is available in sedan and hatchback bodies, but we will focus on the first option.
Depending on the modification, the ground clearance of the car may be different, for example, on the Opel Insignia Country Tourer 2.0 Turbo 4×4 it is 175 mm, and on the 1.6 Turbo and 1.8 ECO it is 160 mm. But in general, the figure 160 is typical for most car models and does not go lower than this figure.
Citroen C5 tourer.
The ground clearance of a station wagon, depending on the model, varies from 150 to 165 mm. But you should understand that for a loaded Citroen C5 tourer this figure will decrease by 2-3 cm.
Below is a table of station wagon ground clearance depending on the modification of the car.
All-wheel drive minivans with high ground clearance
The seven-seater Toyota Alphard minivan, produced in Japan, immediately found its admirers both in Europe and in Russia.
Depending on the modification, the ground clearance of a given car may vary, but it does not fall below 160 mm.
For the Russian market, the car is produced with a ground clearance of 168 mm, which is considered a good indicator for this class of car.
It is produced in both all-wheel drive variations and with drive only to the wheel apron.
Three generations of the Toyota Sienna minivan were produced, which differed not only in configurations, but also in size.
The first generation Toyota Sienna was produced from 1997 to 2002. The ground clearance of the car is 135 mm.
The second generation of the car was produced from 2002 to 2009. Ground clearance – 175 mm.
The third generation has been produced since 2010 and, depending on the model modification, the ground clearance is 165, 168, 175 mm.
It is thanks to the second and third generations that the Toyota Sienna is considered a car with high ground clearance.
The minivan has, depending on the modification, all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive. Five generations of the car were produced.
From 1994 to 1999 - the first generation, from 1999 to 2003 the second, 2003 - 2008 - the third, 2008 - 2013 the fourth, from 2013 - the fifth generation.
In each generation, car models with different ground clearance were produced.
In the 1st generation it varied between 150 to 170 mm. In 2nd – 140, 155 and 165 mm. In the 3rd generation 150, 155 mm. In the 4th and 5th generations, the ground clearance of the Honda Odyssey is 145 and 150 mm.
It cannot be said that the figures are impressive, with the exception of some first-generation models, but the Honda Odyssey was mainly produced only for the markets of Canada, the USA, Mexico, South Korea and a number of other countries.
Mitsubishi Delica.
A real four-wheel drive minibus, produced in five generations.
Depending on the generation and modification, the vehicle's ground clearance can be 140, 160, 165, 170, 180, 190, 205, 210 mm.
But most Mitsubishi Delica models are produced with ground clearance of 160, 170, 180, 190 mm, so this car has good cross-country ability.
To this list we can safely add the 2017 model, which has a ground clearance of 210 mm.
To be continued.
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