Does the Subaru Forester have good ground clearance?
Yes, the Subaru Forester has excellent ground clearance, making it a capable off-road vehicle. The Forester's ground clearance is one of the key features that sets it apart from many other compact SUVs on the market.
Subaru Forester Ground Clearance Explained
The Subaru Forester has a ground clearance of 8.7 inches, which is significantly higher than the average compact SUV. This elevated ground clearance allows the Forester to navigate rough terrain, unpaved roads, and even light off-road conditions with ease. The generous ground clearance helps the Forester avoid getting hung up on obstacles and provides ample clearance for the vehicle's underbody components.
Compared to other popular compact SUVs, the Forester's ground clearance stands out. For example, the Honda CR-V has 7.8 inches of ground clearance, the Toyota RAV4 has 8.2 inches, and the Ford Escape has 7.8 inches. The Forester's 8.7 inches of ground clearance gives it a distinct advantage when it comes to off-road capability and handling uneven surfaces.
Why Ground Clearance Matters
Ground clearance is an important consideration for any vehicle, but it's especially crucial for SUVs and crossovers that may be used for light off-roading, traversing unpaved roads, or navigating through deep snow or mud. The extra ground clearance provided by the Subaru Forester allows it to:
- Clear obstacles and avoid getting stuck on uneven terrain
- Maintain stability and control when driving over rough surfaces
- Provide a more comfortable ride by absorbing the impact of bumps and dips
- Enhance the vehicle's overall off-road performance and capability
The Forester's high ground clearance, combined with its standard all-wheel-drive system, makes it a versatile and capable SUV that can handle a variety of driving conditions, from city streets to rugged backroads.
What is considered high ground clearance?
Drivers who love off-roading adventures may prefer SUVs or crossovers with relatively high ground clearance—anywhere between 7.5 and 9 inches. This allows for easier handling on uneven surfaces and unpaved roadways.
Is the Subaru Forester high clearance?
Which has more ground clearance: Outback or Forester? When looking at the base models of the Subaru Outback and Subaru Forester, or even higher trims like the Limited or Touring, you'll see the exact same ground clearance height of 8.7 inches.
What is the ground clearance of the RAV4?
8.4 to 8.6 inches
This beloved small SUV's ground clearance is 8.4 to 8.6 inches. Its horsepower is 203 or 219 HP, depending on the trim level. The towing capacity of the 2024 RAV4 is a maximum of 3,500 pounds, depending on the model.
How high does the Forester sit off the ground?
Height: 67.5 inches (68.1 inches w/ roof rails) Wheelbase: 105.1 inches. Ground Clearance: 8.7 inches (9.2 inches on Forester Wilderness)
Why get a Forester instead of an Outback?
The Outback is bigger on the outside, with more length, width, and a longer wheelbase than the Forester. This makes it around 9.2 inches longer and 2.7 inches wider than the Forester. However, the Forester offers more space for passengers, with 111.6 cubic feet compared to the Outback's 109.0 cubic feet.
Is 8.7 inches of ground clearance good?
All- or four-wheel drive is a must, as is enough ground clearance to drive over obstacles — hills, rocks, mud, creeks — without sustaining damage. As a general rule of thumb, 8.5 inches of clearance or more should be good.
Which Subaru has the best ground clearance?
2023 Subaru Outback Wilderness
The 2023 Subaru Outback Wilderness boasts the highest ground clearance among Subaru SUVs with 9.5 inches, and is prepared to tackle your toughest adventures with all-terrain upgrades and trail-ready tuning.
What qualifies as a high clearance vehicle?
Great question! Vehicles with high ground clearance have 9 inches or more between the ground and the lowest point of the vehicle.
What is a good amount of ground clearance for a car?
Sometimes referred to as “soft-roading,” 6-8 inches of clearance will get the job done. Unkempt Trails, Overlanding, Light Rock Crawling, Sand, Snow, and Shallow Mud - 8-10 inches gives you better angles and the clearance to navigate over small-to-midsize obstacles.
How many inches off the ground should a car be?
The Basics of Ground Clearance
It reaches from the lowest point of your vehicle to the ground. Most sedans feature a ground clearance measurement of 4-6 inches, which is optimal for stable and comfortable on-road driving activities.
