Blog
10 Best Electric Cars with Low Ground Clearance in 2024
Over the years, EVs (electric vehicles) have increasingly captured the spotlight among car enthusiasts.
The reasons are manifold, from their innovative nature and design to performance levels comparable to their gasoline-powered counterparts.
If you’re part of this specific niche and are currently in the market for an EV with low ground clearance, then this article might be just what you need.
We’ve put together an extensive list of EVs, with a focus solely on their low ground clearance.
After reading, you might be better positioned to decide which electric vehicle, with an optimal ground clearance, is worth purchasing.
Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
How Does Low Ground Clearance Impact the Efficiency of Electric Vehicles?
Before anything, let’s first explore and go through the impact of low ground clearance on EVs.
Low ground clearance in electric vehicles reduces air resistance as the vehicle travels, which can improve aerodynamic efficiency. This efficiency is crucial in EVs as it can extend the vehicle’s range by reducing the energy required to overcome air drag.
This, among many other reasons, is why EVs with low ground clearance should be worth looking into. With that said, let’s go through the main section of our article.
Which Electric Vehicles Have the Lowest Ground Clearance Right Now?
Models like BMW’s iX3, Kia’s EV9, and Toyota’s bZ4X are among the electric vehicles with the lowest ground clearance available on the market right now, perfect for those currently shopping for one.
1. 2024 BMW iX3 – 179 mm (7 inches)
The BMW iX3’s 179 mm clearance supports its dual nature as an SUV and an electalrightric vehicle. This height allows it to handle various terrains and road conditions comfortably.
Additionally, this ground clearance contributes to its aerodynamic efficiency, a crucial aspect for an electric vehicle, ensuring a blend of practicality and performance.
2. 2024 Cadillac Lyriq – 178 mm (7 inches)
The 2024 Cadillac Lyriq, with its ground clearance of 178 mm (7 inches), showcases a design that combines Cadillac’s traditional luxury with the practicality of an EV.
This ground clearance plays a significant role in defining the Lyriq’s on-road character, which is more about a smooth, wafting ride rather than sporty agility.
3. 2024 Kia EV9 – 198 mm (7.8 inches)
The 2024 Kia EV9, with its 7.8 inches of ground clearance, stands out in the electric vehicle market, particularly in its segment.
The ground clearance is particularly beneficial for off-road driving, providing the EV9 with surprising agility and competence on rough, uneven terrain.
4. 2024 Toyota bZ4X (AWD and FWD) – 205 mm (8.1 inches)
The 2024 Toyota bZ4X, with its ground clearance of 8.1 inches, emerges as a robust contender in the electric SUV market, especially for off-road capabilities.
This clearance, combined with well-optimized approach and departure angles and the availability of X-MODE terrain modes, positions the bZ4X as a strong option for those looking for an electric vehicle that can handle rougher terrain.
5. 2024 Volvo EX30 – 170 mm (6.7 inches)
The 2024 Volvo EX30, with its ground clearance of 17 cm (6.7 inches), is categorized as a compact SUV, which is a fitting classification considering its dimensions and capabilities.
This clearance is suitable for a variety of road conditions, offering enough elevation to tackle common obstacles while maintaining a low center of gravity for better handling and stability, a key consideration for electric vehicles.
6. 2011 to 2016 Chevrolet Volt – 119 mm (4.7 inches)
The Chevrolet Volt, particularly the models from 2011 to 2016, is known for having a relatively low ground clearance of about 4.7 inches.
This low clearance, while beneficial for aerodynamics and fuel efficiency, does pose some challenges in certain driving situations.
7. 2023 Mini Countryman PHEV – 165 mm (6.5 inches)
The Mini Countryman PHEV 2023, with its ground clearance of 6.5 inches (165 mm), is well-suited for a variety of driving conditions, lending itself to a versatile and capable performance.
This ground clearance, characteristic of Mini’s design philosophy, contributes significantly to the vehicle’s overall balance of performance and functionality, especially in a plug-in hybrid model.
8. 2024 Tesla Model S – 116 mm (4.6 inches)
The Tesla Model S 2024 offers adjustable ground clearance, ranging from 4.6 inches in the lowest suspension setting, 5.0 inches at medium, and up to 6.2 inches when the suspension is set to its highest.
This adjustability is a significant aspect of the vehicle’s design, allowing drivers to tailor the car’s clearance based on driving conditions.
9. 2024 Toyota Prius – 152 mm (6 inches)
The Toyota Prius’s 6-inch ground clearance is a strategic design choice for an eco-friendly sedan. This height helps the vehicle to comfortably navigate city streets and manage typical road irregularities, making it a practical choice for everyday driving.
10. 2024 Nissan Leaf – 155 mm (6.1 inches)
The Nissan Leaf’s ground clearance of 155 mm is optimized for its primary use in urban and highway settings.
This height strikes a balance between providing enough clearance for daily driving and maintaining aerodynamic efficiency for better energy consumption.
FAQs
What are the challenges of low ground clearance in electric vehicles like the BMW iX3 or Tesla Model S when navigating steep driveways?
Electric vehicles with low ground clearance, such as the BMW iX3 or Tesla Model S, can face challenges on steep driveways. The closer proximity to the ground increases the risk of the undercarriage scraping, especially on driveways with sharp inclines. Drivers may need to approach such inclines at an angle to minimize the risk of scraping.
Read our full guide on both ‘how to fix a steep driveway‘ and ‘how to get a low car up a steep driveway‘ to get the full know-how, allowing you to prevent any possible damages that may come to the EV you purchase.
How does low ground clearance affect an electric vehicle’s ability to handle curbs and road bumps?
Vehicles with lower ground clearance, including many modern electric vehicles on our list, need to be navigated more carefully over curbs and large road bumps. The reduced clearance can lead to the bottom of the car making contact with higher curbs or bumps, potentially causing damage to the vehicle’s underbody.
Can electric SUVs like the Kia EV9 with slightly higher ground clearance still face issues on uneven terrain?
While electric SUVs like the Kia EV9 with higher ground clearance are better equipped for uneven terrain, they can still encounter issues, especially if the terrain is particularly rough or uneven beyond the vehicle’s clearance and suspension capabilities.
Conclusion
What are the challenges of low ground clearance in electric vehicles like the BMW iX3 or Tesla Model S when navigating steep driveways?
Electric vehicles with low ground clearance, such as the BMW iX3 or Tesla Model S, can face challenges on steep driveways. The closer proximity to the ground increases the risk of the undercarriage scraping, especially on driveways with sharp inclines. Drivers may need to approach such inclines at an angle to minimize the risk of scraping.
Read our full guide on both ‘how to fix a steep driveway‘ and ‘how to get a low car up a steep driveway‘ to get the full know-how, allowing you to prevent any possible damages that may come to the EV you purchase.
How does low ground clearance affect an electric vehicle’s ability to handle curbs and road bumps?
Vehicles with lower ground clearance, including many modern electric vehicles on our list, need to be navigated more carefully over curbs and large road bumps. The reduced clearance can lead to the bottom of the car making contact with higher curbs or bumps, potentially causing damage to the vehicle’s underbody.
Can electric SUVs like the Kia EV9 with slightly higher ground clearance still face issues on uneven terrain?
While electric SUVs like the Kia EV9 with higher ground clearance are better equipped for uneven terrain, they can still encounter issues, especially if the terrain is particularly rough or uneven beyond the vehicle’s clearance and suspension capabilities.
Here at Smooth Curb, we make sure that you get your money’s worth. Prices of electric vehicles are no joke, and we want you to enjoy every bit of the EV you choose.
While we’re not affiliated with any electric vehicle brands, we do advocate for the importance of having driveway curb ramps, especially with our main product.
Our Original Smooth Curb Driveway Curb Ramp is specifically designed to avoid and prevent any unwanted damages that may happen to your vehicle. Considering that you’re looking for EVs with low ground clearance, this type of product is definitely something you should put on your shopping list.
Our blog, which further discusses the importance of getting a driveway curb ramp, tackles topics such as tire damage from hitting curbs (bubbles, flats, bead damage), wheel bending inwards, and potentially damaging your front passenger side due to impact.
So to conclude, we hope that the list we’ve provided can be somewhat useful to you. Our team is always here to support you with any curb-related queries, so don’t hesitate to contact us.
Choose wisely, and ride safe!