Sub-4m SUVs With Best Ground Clearance
Published On 2019-09-10 13:17:06.0
- 4 Comments
- Write a comment
Which of these sub-compact front-wheel drive SUVs would go over rough roads the easiest?
In India, you can never be sure when you’ll encounter a rough patch of road or a series of potholes. That’s why a rising number of buyers demand cars with higher ground clearance. Not only are you seated higher up having a commanding view of the road but your chances of scraping the car’s underbelly are also reduced. While conventional SUVs do offer good ground clearance their plus size usually puts them at a disadvantage within the city perimeter. So if you are looking for a city friendly SUV with nice ground clearance, here’s what you should be looking out for.
- Rsಬೆಲೆ/ದಾರ6.95 - 11.80 Lakh*
- ಮೈಲೇಜ್ (ಇಲ್ಲಿಯವರೆಗೆ)21.5 ಕೆಎಂಪಿಎಲ್Engine (upto)1497 ccBHP108.5
The most affordable among its peers, the Tata Nexon is the only made in India to have received a 5 star safety rating from the Global NCAP. The Nexon also offers the highest ground clearance among its peers at 209mm making it adept at taking the rough roads well. Its available with a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine and a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine. Both of which are available with a 5-speed manual and an optional AMT.
- Rsಬೆಲೆ/ದಾರ6.69 - 11.49 Lakh*
- ಮೈಲೇಜ್ (ಇಲ್ಲಿಯವರೆಗೆ)23 ಕೆಎಂಪಿಎಲ್Engine (upto)1499 ccBHP123.24
The EcoSport kickstarted the sub-4m segment back in 2013 and it hasn’t looked back. It might be perched at the top of the price chain but offers multiple options loaded with features and creature comforts. It comes second on the list with a 200mm ground clearance. Engine options on the EcoSport comprise of a 1.5-litre, 3 cylinder petrol, 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol and a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder diesel unit.
- Rsಬೆಲೆ/ದಾರ7.12 - 10.60 Lakh*
- ಮೈಲೇಜ್ (ಇಲ್ಲಿಯವರೆಗೆ)24.3 ಕೆಎಂಪಿಎಲ್Engine (upto)1248 ccBHP88.5
The Vitara Brezza doesn’t seem to need any introduction as it usually keeps featuring among the top 10 best selling cars of the month. The Vitara Brezza is backed by Maruti’s vast service network so there are lesser chances of getting stranded on some remote location when you go on the less beaten path. The Vitara Brezza is just slightly lower than the EcoSport offering a 198mm ground clearance. The Vitara Brezza is the only diesel-only offering in this bunch and runs on a 1.3-litre, 4-cylinder but is set to receive a petrol engine by April, 2020.
- Rsಬೆಲೆ/ದಾರ6.55 - 11.88 Lakh*
- ಮೈಲೇಜ್ (ಇಲ್ಲಿಯವರೆಗೆ)23.7 ಕೆಎಂಪಿಎಲ್Engine (upto)1498 ccBHP118.35
The latest of the lot, Hyundai Venue gets the first-in-segment internet-based Bluelink technology which adds up to its safety and convenience features arsenal. The Hyundai Venue offers 190mm of ground clearance which is actually similar to the i20 Active. It offers a 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder petrol along with 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine while diesel duties are handled by a 1.4-litre, 4-cylinder unit. Its worth noting that the Venue is the only offering here which brings an optional 7-speed DCT to the table.
- Rsಬೆಲೆ/ದಾರ7.99 - 14.76 Lakh*
- ಮೈಲೇಜ್ (ಇಲ್ಲಿಯವರೆಗೆ)20.1 ಕೆಎಂಪಿಎಲ್Engine (upto)2184 ccBHP130.0
Its quite a surprise that a Mahindra is at the bottom of the ground clearance list since the brand has an inherent specialisation in building SUVs. The Mahindra XUV300 comes sits 180mm off the ground which should be enough for daily bad road driving just don’t take it through serious off road trails. The Mahindra XUV300 receives segment-first safety tech like 7 airbags, front parking sensors and more. Powering the XUV300 are choices of a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine along with a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine.
All of these SUVs bring something different to the table. Which one do you think is the most worthy, not just in the sense of ground clearance but as an overall package. Let us know in the comment section below.