Subaru Impreza Ground Clearance: What To Know
2017 Subaru Impreza by EurovisionNim — CC BY-SA 4.0
Ground clearance is a crucial vehicle characteristic that often gets overlooked during the car buying process. Subaru is known for its off-roading ability, which can be a significant difference from city-specific driving and being able to explore a bit more. When looking at the vehicle from scratch, how does the Impreza’s ground clearance compare to other vehicles in the class?
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Let’s Start with the Basics: What Is Ground Clearance, and Why Does It Matter?
Ground clearance is the distance between the lowest point of the vehicle’s underbody and the gap between the tires’ contact with a level surface. This is also known as ride height and is how your car is separated from pavement, gravel, or other surfaces you are driving on. It’s one of the most fundamental and vital dimensions to research when looking at an off-road vehicle.
Ground clearance for most sedans falls between 4-6 inches, while SUVs have an average ground clearance of 6-8 inches. The Impreza’s ground clearance does give it some space for some trail driving and helps it handle inclement weather better than most 4-door sedans, and coming from a family of vehicles that has more outdoor capabilities than the standard family sedan, it is well-equipped to take some trips off the beaten path and through some harsh weather or natural conditions.
The higher the vehicle sits off the ground, the less likely the undercarriage and the mechanical area will be damaged by rocks, pavement, and other road debris. It’s also helpful for wintery conditions when snow builds up on the road and can get jammed and stuck under the bumpers and tires.
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Some people might naturally think the Impreza should have more room based on the SUVs in the family, but it hasn’t had significant changes from model to model or throughout the years. The Impreza’s ground clearance has been pretty consistent throughout the years, and 5.1 inches isn’t a ton of space when you think about it from a simple perspective. Still, it can handle most elements reasonably easily for a sedan that isn’t built to take a lot of damage.
For drivers that enjoy off-roaders, every non-paved road can be thrilling but can turn ugly quickly without the proper equipment or ground clearance. For Subaru drivers, the natural scenery is often a popular choice to take the car to.
This can come with various road conditions that don’t have a smooth surface and mainly consist of rocks, gravel, mud, dirt, etc. Do the 5.1 inches of the Impreza’s ground clearance significantly affect its ability to handle the elements?
It’s well within the average range of sedans for ground clearance since most will range between 4-6 inches, but Subaru does carry a bit of extra branding in its off-roading capabilities. At 5.1 inches, the Impreza’s ground clearance is a bit above average, but some might expect a little more from a wagon and a brand that caters to off-roading hobbyists.
Something as small as a pothole or uneven parking lot can cause the Impreza to bottom out, but there are lift kits available that can add up to 3 inches of ground clearance. It still has the ability of a sedan but the lift of an SUV closer to the Outback or Forester.
You can find them between $400-$700 before service and maintenance fees, but you could save lots of money on repairs from damaging the undercarriage with its lower stock clearance height.
If you don’t plan on taking significant drives to the lake for fishing trips or driving into the mountains, the lift kit will mainly be for aesthetics and protection on highway roads and from trailing other vehicles.
If you are looking for more adventure and are set on the Impreza, a lift kit is a great option. It’s a little underwhelming from a power perspective. Still, the Impreza is ideal for its turning and handling capabilities and overall safety. A few extra inches from a lift kit can open up opportunities to get off the paved roads.
Generally speaking, these are a few key things to consider when looking into your next ride’s ride height:
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Advantages of Low Ground Clearance
Better Handling
Sedans typically have lower ground height and, not surprisingly, have a lower center of gravity. This can help to stabilize the vehicle and makes it very easy to drive at high speeds. The Impreza is right in the middle and has a great turning radius to help maneuver sharp city streets and tight roads in the mountains.
Assists in Aerodynamics
When a vehicle is driving at high speed, the air moving above it becomes denser than the air traveling beneath it, resulting in higher pressure under the road. Low clearance decreases the air under the car, lowering the pressure. This allows the vehicle to travel at fast and safe speeds.
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Disadvantages of Low Ground Clearance
Of course, the main drawback is that cars with lower ground clearance, like the Impreza, are more susceptible to damage from rocks, branches, and gravel. Catching rocks and debris and a general lack of maneuverability make driving challenging on anything other than pavement on a clear day, but the Impreza can typically manage this.
Advantages of High Ground Clearance
Vehicles with higher ground clearance can travel on more forms of terrain more easily, like bumpy and uneven roads. They are more likely to be able to go off-roading and handle the elements better than a low-to-ground sedan.
Being higher off the ground, there’s also typically more cargo space being off the ground and a larger chassis.
Disadvantage of High Ground Clearance
Opposite to sedans, higher-raised vehicles don’t have as much balance and generally can’t drive or accelerate as fast. While getting a lift kit is an excellent option for a stock sedan, it will retain most of its sedan capabilities with an increased ground clearance.
With a four-cylinder engine that can produce 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque, the all-wheel drive is automatic on the Subaru Impreza, which strikes a near-perfect balance between ride and handling. Comparable fuel efficiency with full-size sedans makes it an excellent option for trekking through the hills or getting to the lake.
The body is strong enough that it doesn’t even lean when you do fast curves, and with caution taking turns, the Impreza can handle more than just city streets than the standard 4-door sedan.
You won’t (and probably shouldn’t) be doing major boulder climbing or driving through significant amounts of water, given the Impreza’s ground clearance at the base model. Still, it provides enough reasonable room for plenty of outdoor driving activities.
Should You Buy the Subaru Impreza for Off-Roading?
Most vehicles can go off-road if you’re brave enough, but it doesn’t mean you should do it. Both the sedan and hatchback versions of the Impreza aren’t ideal for off-roading. For starters, the Impreza’s 5.1 inches of ground clearance is too low for serious off-roading activities. As a rule of thumb, you’ll want a vehicle with at least 8-10 inches of ground clearance, so an SUV or truck is a better fit. Compact sedans and hatchbacks like the Impreza aren’t built for going off the paved path.
With that said, the Subaru Impreza is capable enough for light off-roading, mainly on gravel and mellow trails. Furthermore, the Impreza has 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque, so it’s enough oomph to power through moderate terrains. However, you have to be aware of its limitations. Once the road becomes more rocky and uneven, you risk bumping the bottom of your Impreza on some rocks and other obstructions.
If you’re serious about off-roading and want to limit your purchase to the same brand, the Subaru Crosstrek is your best alternative. As its name suggests, the Crosstrek boasts 8.7 inches of ground clearance and has off-road-focused features.
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