List of ground clearance measurements of all Kia vehicles in U.S.
No matter which style of vehicle you are considering buying, you need to take some time to measure the pros and cons of all vehicles that catch your eye!
The goal is always to choose the one that best suits your lifestyle.
One thing that does not always get the attention that it deserves is ground clearance.
It’s not until you try and take your new vehicle on a road that it’s not designed to be on that you understand just how important ground clearance is.
What exactly is ground clearance?
The easiest way to describe the vehicle’s ground clearance is to tell you that it’s the minimum distance between the road and the lower end of your vehicle’s body.
One thing to keep in mind here is that the ground clearance numbers offered up by any automaker are when that vehicle is empty of passengers and cargo. Ground clearance will be reduced when weight is added!
As you are all well aware, Kia makes all manner of different vehicles types, each with their own unique ground clearance measurements. SUV’s have the most clearance, while sedans are lower to the ground.
With that in mind, we thought it might be a good idea to create a news article that clearly shows the ground clearance for all Kia models, which we have separated into two categories: SUV’s & vans and cars.
Listed below is the official information about the Kia ground clearance.
Ground clearance of Kia SUV / crossover models
- Kia Soul: 6.7 inches
- Kia Seltos: 7.3 inches
- Kia Niro EV: 6.0 inches
- Kia Niro Hybrid & PHEV: 6.3 inches
- Kia Carnival: 6.8 inches
- Kia Carnival hybrid: 6.8 inches
- Sportage FWD: 7.1 inches
- Sportage AWD: 8.3 inches
- Sorento: 6.9 inches
- Kia Telluride: 8 to 8.4 inches (depending on trim level)
Ground clearance of Kia EVs & PHEVs
- Soul EV: 6.0 inches (not on sale anymore)
- Niro EV: 6.0 inches
- Niro hybrid (& PHEV): 6.0 inches
- Kia EV6: 6.1 inches
- Kia EV9: 7.0 to 7.8 inches (depending on trim level)
Ground clearance of Kia cars
- Rio 4-door & 5-door hatchback: 5.5 inch (not available in US anymore)
- K4: (brand-new vehicle, ground clearance info to be updated)
- Forte: 5.3 inch
- Optima: 5.3 inch (not on sale anymore)
- Optima hybrid: 5.1 inch (not on sale anymore)
- Optima PHEV: 5.1 inch (not on sale anymore)
- K5: 5.3 inch
- Stinger: 5.1 inch (not on sale anymore)
- Cadenza: 5.4 inch (not on sale anymore)
- K900: 5.3 inch (not on sale anymore)
Advantages of higher ground clearance
For some, a vehicle with a higher ground clearance is an absolute must, but there are others who can easily get by with the lower clearance. Let’s take a closer look ay the advantages and disadvantages of higher ground clearance.
A vehicle with a higher ground clearance is often safer, mostly because your vehicle is hard to miss on the road. Many potentially dangerous situations can often be avoided by having such a visible presence.
A higher ground clearance also offers the ability to take your vehicles onto roads and trails that a sedan cannot handle. If you plan on driving on rougher terrain, you need that extra ground clearance.
Higher ground clearance disadvantages
If you love a vehicle with great handling, a higher ground clearance may not be for you, as the higher center of gravity with these vehicles means poorer handling.
When a vehicle is taller than most, it is usually also wider, which generally means additional weight. With that extra weight, especially with passengers and cargo inside, fuel economy numbers are poorer.
What to choose?
Only you can answer that, as only you know your driving habits. If you love adventure and going off road, higher ground clearance is better. If handling and fuel economy are more important, lower clearance is better. (Photo: Youtube)
