6 Recommended High Ground Clearance Cars Suitable for the Rainy Season

Entering the rainy season, several areas in Indonesia get hit by floods and the road access is limited. Fortunately, nowadays more and more car manufacturers are producing flood-resistant cars with high ground clearance characteristics so they can survive floods easily.

High distances from the asphalt surface are typical specifications of SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles). With its macho and aggressive character, this type of SUV with high ground clearance is reliable to be driven on various contoured terrain. Beside SUV type cars, there are several MPV (Multi Purpose Vehicle) cars that are also equipped with this feature.

If you're looking for a high ground clearance car suitable for the rainy season, here are a few options.

1. Mitsubishi Xpander Cross

The Mitsubishi Xpander Cross is a derivative of the Mitsubishi Xpander which has a higher ground clearance, which is 255 mm. In regards to its dimensions, this car has a length of 4,500 mm, width of 1,800 mm and height of 1,750 mm and is equipped with various features.

On its safety features, being in the Low SUV segment, Mitsubishi XPander Cross is equipped with Active Stability & Traction Control (ASC), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Dual SRS Airbags, Brake Assist (BA), Cruise Control and Hill Start Assist (HSA) which will guarantee driving safety when stopping on an uphill lane.

With a retail price starting at IDR 300 million, the Mitsubishi Xpander Cross is equipped with a powerful engine. This car is implanted with a 1.5 L mechanical heart with MIVEC DOHC 16 Valve technology with two choices of 4-speed automatic transmission and 5-speed manual. With this engine, this car is capable of producing up to 106 PS of power and a maximum torque of 411 Nm.

2. Toyota Rush

The next car with ground clearance is the Toyota Rush. Compared to the previous generation, this car is bigger and taller with dimensions of 4,435 mm in length, 1,695 mm in width and 1,706 mm in height. While the distance between the lower body line and the asphalt is 220 mm high.

Toyota Rush comes with an RWD drive system which is suitable for most people in Indonesia without worrying about losing traction on the wheels when driving on contoured or slippery terrain. To maintain safety on the roads, Toyota has also embedded safety features.

There are several safety features on the All New Toyota Rush, such as Dual SRS Airbags, Anti-lock Braking System, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Hill Start Assist (HSA)., Emergency Brake Signal (EBS), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Hill Start Assist (HSA).

Meanwhile, from the kitchen side, the Toyota Rush carries a reliable 2NR-VE, 4 Cylinder In Line, 16 Valves, DOHC, Dual VVT-i engine. With its mechanical heart, this car is capable of producing 104 PS of power and a maximum torque of 13.9 KgM. The Toyota Rush comes in two types, namely the G Type which sells with prices starting at IDR 278,800,000 and the GR Sport Type with prices starting at IDR 291,500,000.

READ ALSO: 7 Tricks on How to Fix A Car That Doesn’t Work Because of Flood

3. Daihatsu Terios

The Daihatsu Terios is the Toyota Rush's twin, thus the two have almost similar specifications. First of all, in terms of dimensions, the Daihatsu Terios has a length of 4,435 mm, a width of 1,695 mm and a height of 1,706 mm with a ground clearance of 220 mm.

The thing that differentiates the Daihatsu Terios from the Toyota Rush is in the accessories section. Terios has more accessories than Rush. This can be seen in the chrome accents on the fascia and stern, as well as the addition of side skirts and body kits. Daihatsu Terios is also equipped with an Auto on Headlamp feature which will turn on automatically when it's dark.

4. Wuling Almaz

As a newcomer, Wuling Almaz has been able to attract the hearts of Indonesian automotive lovers thanks to its futuristic design. In addition, this car in the medium SUV segment is also equipped with safety features and a powerful engine so that it is able to bulldoze various road terrains.

For dimensions, Wuling Almaz is 4,655 mm long, 1,835 mm wide and 1,760 mm high with a ground clearance of 230 mm. Meanwhile, to provide comfort and safety while driving, this car is equipped with several safety features, such as ABS, EBD, BA, and ESC. This car also has advanced features such as the Traction Control System and Tire Pressure Monitoring System. Apart from that, there are also 4 airbags, seat belt reminder, and disc brakes on the rear wheels.

In matters of the runway, Wuling Almaz gets a 1.5L Inline 4 Cylinders engine, DOHC DVVT With Turbocharger which is capable of producing 142 PS of power and a maximum torque of 250 NM with a 5-speed manual transmission and CVT. Wuling Almaz is sold starting at IDR 263,500,000 OTR DKI Jakarta.

5. Toyota Fortuner

The next high ground clearance car recommendation is the Toyota Fortuner. Some time ago, the Toyota Fortuner car went viral, breaking through a fairly high flood.

In terms of body dimensions, the size of the Fortuner car can be said to be quite large and handsome. It measures 4,795 mm in length, 1,855 mm in width and 1,835 mm in height with 216 mm of ground clearance. For the engine, the Toyota Fortuner is equipped with a 1GD-FTV 2,755 cc VNT Intercooler diesel engine which is capable of producing 203.9 PS of power and a maximum torque of 60.9 KgM so it is comfortable to drive in all extreme terrains.

READ ALSO: Things to Consider When Driving Downhill to Avoid the Brake Failure

6. Honda BR-V

First introduced at the 2015 GIIAS event, the Honda BR-V has received a positive response in the Indonesian automotive market. This car is based on the Honda Mobilio with strong characteristics and is ready to be invited for a road trip or just driving in the city.

The All New Honda BR-V 2022 has a different look from the first generation. One of them is in the dimensions, where the All New Honda BR-V 2022 has a length of 4,490 mm, a width of 1,780 mm and a height of 1,685 mm with a higher ground clearance of 220 mm so that it can be relied upon when crossing puddles during a flood.

The All New Honda BR-V 2022 comes with a more luxurious and complete interior thanks to the leather material embedded in the cabin to the door sides and dashboard panels. For the pacemaker, this car carries a 1.5L Double Overhead Camshaft (DOHC) i-VTEC engine coded L15ZF which is capable of producing 121 PS of power and a maximum torque of 145 Nm. All New Honda BR-V 2022 is sold with prices starting at IDR 281,100,000 OTR DKI Jakarta.

Those are the recommendations for cars with high ground clearance to face the rainy season. Even though the cars above are able to pass through flood puddles with ease, it's a good idea to pay attention to the water level. Don't force your way through if the flood is too high for your own safety and to maintain the performance of the car's engine.

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