What Is the Ground Clearance of the 2022 Subaru Impreza?

Are you concerned that the bottom of your Subaru Impreza might hit a speed bump if you drive over it? The 2022 Subaru Impreza has a ground clearance of 5.1 inches, which is considered average for a compact sedan.

While the Subaru Impreza has been hyped as an off-road-ready machine, it’s not a good idea to treat it like an SUV or truck. Serious off-road vehicles have a minimum ground clearance of 8.5 inches, which is much higher than the Impreza’s 5.1 inches. Stick to roads and try to avoid driving over anything whose height approaches the car’s ground clearance, especially if you’ve loaded up with passengers or cargo.

What Is Ground Clearance?

Ground clearance refers to the amount of space between the lowest part of the vehicle’s frame that shouldn’t touch the road surface and the ground itself. In most vehicles, the axle determines this measurement.

Ground clearance is measured by the manufacturer, who parks an unloaded vehicle on a flat road surface. Taking on passengers or cargo can change the measurement because of the added weight.

You might not think much about your vehicle’s ground clearance, but it’s an important factor in daily driving. Driving over rough or uneven ground increases the chance that the bottom of your car might hit the road surface. If the axle or another part located under your car takes a sufficiently sharp knock, it can get damaged and break down. The underside might even snag on something on the road and get scraped or dragged.

Fortunately, you can alter your vehicle’s ground clearance in several ways. You can use a suspension lift kit to raise the car’s frame higher. Or you can replace the tires with larger ones, assuming you can fit them in the wheel wells. Keep in mind that these changes can alter your car’s road handling.