Comparison: Ground clearance Renault Clio vs. competitors 2025

History first though, for context. The Clio, named after the Greek muse of history, ironically doesn't tell us much about her ground clearance in the early years. In fact, from 1990 to 2002, it's like the folks at Renault didn't own rulers. But in 2003, with the introduction of the second facelift of the Clio II, someone found one and declared '120 mm!'. This number stuck like a baguette to a Frenchman's underarm until 2009, where the third facelift of the Clio III nudged things down to 108 mm, sending a shudder through the sphincters of low-lying wildlife everywhere. Since 2012 though, the French got generous again and the Clio IV and the non-facelifted Clio V returned to a safe 120 mm. And as of the latest facelift, the Clio V has been indulging in too much Camembert, with a 142 mm footprint, towering above its ancestors.

As compared to its Renault siblings, the Clio V post-facelift looks down upon the Twizy and Zoe, both whisking about with a similar 120 mm. However, when parked next to the stalwart Captur and the family-friendly Mégane Grandtour, both at 145 mm, the Clio seems to be playing in the minor leagues. And let's not even mention the mountain-climbing Alaskan sitting at a vertigo-inducing 223 mm, making the Clio look like a skateboard in comparison.

But what about outside the family? Take the Nissan Juke for instance – it struts around at a lofty 180 mm, making the Clio look as if it's slinking about in an underground jazz club. Then there's the SsangYong Tivoli, almost the same length as the Clio but with a ground clearance of 167 mm, which reinforces the fact that it's not the size that counts, but how high you can hover above the tarmac. The KIA XCeed is another interesting comparison, sharing a wheelbase and length close to the Clio but boasting a slightly plusher 172 mm ground clearance, ensuring that it can glide over obstacles the Clio would have to tiptoe around.