Ladies and gentlemen, gather round as we dive deep into the world of ground clearance, utilizing the illustrious Audi e-tron as our benchmark. For those not in the know, ground clearance—not to be mixed up with the height of a top hat on a windy day—is a crucial metric for discerning drivers. It determines not just how elegantly you'll sail over speed bumps but also your ability to venture off the paved path without turning your beautiful ride into an expensive lawn ornament. The Audi e-tron, Audi's foray into the electric SUV market, boasts a ground clearance that's been finely tuned for both urban jungles and gentle off-road excursions.
Audi e-tron - How has the ground clearance changed over the generations?
Since the inception of the e-tron GE in 2019, Audi's brainchild hasn't exactly been a chameleon with its ground clearance. Sporting a rather consistent 172 mm since its birth, it gives off the 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' vibe. And quite right too, for this electric beast perfectly straddles the line between the need for speed and the need not to scrape its belly on anything more menacing than a speed bump.
Audi e-tron generationsGeneration year | Ground clearance |
---|
e-tron, Model year 2019 (1.Generation) | 172 mm |
The ground clearance of the current generation of e-tron is 172 mm.
Variants
Ground clearance: Audi e-tron variantsVariant name | Ground clearance |
---|
e-tron | 172 mm |
e-tron S | 172 mm |
e-tron S Sportback | 172 mm |
e-tron Sportback | 172 mm |
The ground clearance compared to other Audi models
In the grand colosseum of Audis, the e-tron doesn't strut in as the towering giant, but it holds its own. While SUVs like the Audi Q5 and its Sportback variant tower with a Herculean 208 mm clearance, and the god-like Audi Q8 and its SQ7 brethren boast a 245 mm clearance, the e-tron lounges comfortably with its 172 mm. Even compared to its electric siblings in the Q8 e-tron lineup, it shares the clearance spotlight. It's almost as if it's whispering, 'I'm just right.' On the flip side, those looking for a bit more of an urban cruiser might glance towards the Q2 and SQ2, sipping their lattes at a humble 145 mm off the ground.
Ground clearance: e-tron vs. other models by AudiVariant name | Ground clearance |
---|
Q8 | 245 mm |
SQ8 | 245 mm |
Q7 | 245 mm |
SQ7 | 245 mm |
e-tron | 172 mm |
e-tron S | 172 mm |
e-tron S Sportback | 172 mm |
e-tron Sportback | 172 mm |
Q2 | 145 mm |
SQ2 | 145 mm |
How does the ground clearance of the Audi e-tron compare to it's nearest competitors?
Now, putting the e-tron in the ring with its rivals, things start to get interesting. The BMW X2, daring to dream at 182 mm, stands just a tad more confidently against urban curbs. The suave Mercedes-Benz GLC, on the other hand, with a ground clearance so low (123 mm) it's almost subterranean by comparison, making the e-tron look like a high rider ready for hillside adventures. Land Rover Discovery Sport? A veritable mountain goat with 212 mm of clearance, it's in a league of its own, leaving the e-tron pondering its life choices. And let's not forget about the Lamborghini Urus's ostentatious 248 mm, effectively turning the competition into a molehill. However, directly pitched against contemporaries such as the Infiniti QX30 and Toyota Highlander, both at 202 mm, the e-tron plays a good middle game—neither scraping the skies nor hugging the earth too closely. It's a balancing act between urban agility and off-road potential, walking a tightrope in stylish, electric silence.
Ground clearance: Audi e-tron vs. similar carsCar model | Ground clearance |
---|
Tesla Model X 2021 | 223 mm |
Volvo EX90 2023 | 212 mm |
Subaru Solterra 2022 | 210 mm |
VinFast VF 9 2022 | 204 mm |
Skoda Enyaq 2021 | 194 mm |
Lotus Eletre 2023 | 187 mm |
VinFast VF 8 2022 | 180 mm |
Toyota bZ4X 2022 | 180 mm |
BMW iX3 2021 | 179 mm |
Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV 2022 | 178 mm |
Nissan Ariya 2022 | 178 mm |
Kia EV9 2023 | 177 mm |
Genesis GV70 2021 | 174 mm |
Audi e-tron 2019 | 172 mm |
Volvo C40 2021 | 171 mm |
BMW iX1 2022 | 170 mm |
NIO EL6 2023 | 165 mm |
Fisker Ocean 2022 | 165 mm |
Aiways U6 2022 | 165 mm |
VW ID.4 2020 | 163 mm |
VW ID.5 2022 | 163 mm |
Genesis GV60 2022 | 160 mm |
NIO EL7 2023 | 158 mm |
BYD Tang 2022 | 150 mm |
Ford Mustang Mach-E 2020 | 147 mm |
Jaguar I-Pace 2018 | 142 mm |
Mercedes-Benz EQC 2019 | 97 mm |
Similar cars
2022
•
JW
Ground clearance
160 mm
(-7%)
Compare
2021
•
JK1
Ground clearance
174 mm
(+1%)
Compare
2023
•
T
Ground clearance
212 mm
(+23%)
Compare
2021
•
004
Ground clearance
223 mm
(+30%)
Compare
2023
•
EBM1
Ground clearance
0 mm
(-100%)
Compare