How crucial is high ground clearance on our bad roads?

The past decade has seen a huge uptick in the sales of SUVs and compact SUVs in India.

- Suruchi Kapur-Gomes

And one of the prime reasons for this trend is that apart from a rough-and-tough appearance, these automobiles come with a higher ground clearance than most sedans or hatchbacks that otherwise offer a similar driving experience. On India’s rutted, uneven, potholed roads, that could make all the difference.

So, if you’re a new buyer, swinging between a sleek sedan and that mean SUV, ground clearance – or GC, as it’s called in car manuals – is something you should take into account before making your choice. Take the example of Cary Figueredo, who owns a luxury sedan and rues how he damaged the car’s fuel sump while driving fast to arrive at a meeting on time. Had it been an SUV, he probably would have made it without his vehicle getting bruised.