How much does a Chevrolet Cruze station wagon 1.6 weigh? Chevrolet Cruze ground clearance

Chevrolet Cruze ground clearance

The amount of ground clearance determines how easily the car overcomes uneven road surfaces and obstacles.
To increase cross-country ability, many Chevrolet Cruze car owners are attempting to increase ground clearance. It should be borne in mind that this modernization does not have a positive effect on the car’s handling at high speed and in turns.

Competitors

Many will say that the ground clearance of the Chevrolet Cruze model is not that great. It all depends on what car you compare it to. Compared to crossovers, of course, the Cruz is far behind in ground clearance, but if you compare it with its C-class competitors, the situation here is completely different. For example, the Citroen C4 has a ground clearance of only 120 mm, the Hyundai Elantra - 150 mm, the Skoda Octavia A5 - 160 mm, and the Ford Focus 2 - 150 mm. And these are manufacturer data, which are indicated without taking into account engine protection.

Exterior

Of course, the exterior design of the car is one of its strengths. Thanks to the curving relief roof and “inflated” wings, the car looks very sporty and dynamic. Many of the model’s “classmates” are far behind it in design. The front end matches the expensive profile of the body. The radiator grille is divided into two unequal parts by a horizontal strip, and slightly curved headlights rush upward. The exterior of the car is very similar to a four-door coupe - one of the most fashionable body types today.

From the experience of drivers - real ground clearance

As can be seen from the above, the ride height in the Chevrolet Cruze leaves much to be desired. Even in city conditions, low ground clearance can be felt in parking lots equipped with high curbs.

You can also encounter a problem if you drive over speed bumps at high speed.

Off-road the problem is even more pressing. When driving on bumpy roads, the car every now and then touches the engine protection or “skirt” with the road surface.

For a car, such contacts are not dangerous, but for the driver and passengers it is not very pleasant.

The main “weakness” of the Chevrolet Cruze is considered to be the “skirt”, which is located along the entire perimeter. It is she who touches uneven surfaces, as if warning the driver of potential danger.

There is no need to worry about contact between the road elements and the “skirt”, because even in the event of complete destruction, replacing the part will not be difficult.

To preserve the front of the Chevrolet Cruze, experts recommend installing parking sensors, which warns in time about the presence of an obstacle.

To increase the efficiency of the device, it is advisable to place the sensors as low as possible.

Sometimes it is better to hear a warning from the device’s speaker than the actual grinding of body elements on road elements.

POPULAR WITH READERS: The updated Chevrolet Niva will go on sale at the end of January

Generalized clearance table.

Why "bully"?

With all this, when compared with its classmates, Cruz is not so squat, since there simply cannot be more than 160-180 mm of ground clearance on a standard passenger car, and for a medium-sized crossover the normal ground clearance is within 200-230 mm. A decent SUV on a frame and with solid axles may have 300-350 mm under the bottom, but these are completely different cars with completely different tasks and you shouldn’t envy them.

Due to the low stance of the Chevrolet Cruze, you need to be careful when parking.

On the other hand, we do not live in the States or in Germany, where the roads are as smooth as a mirror, and the city infrastructure in life will not be a problem in the form of a 300 mm curb in the parking lot or a hole in the middle of the road, a rut after a ZIL or an incredibly high speed bump . Therefore, for many, immediately after purchasing a car, the question arises of how to increase ground clearance with little expense , without buying an SUV, in order to maintain the safety and integrity of the body, suspension elements and bumpers. There are several relatively safe ways to increase ground clearance. More about them below.

Station wagon ground clearance (by year and modification)

In the 2012-2017 five-door Chevrolet Cruze with front-wheel drive, the ground clearance is 140 mm.

This parameter is relevant for the following modifications:

• MT LS (engine - 1.6 l, 124 hp), MT LT (1.6 l, 124 horsepower).
• AT LT (1.8 L, 141 HP), AT LTZ (1.8 L, 141 HP), and MT LS (1.8 L, 141 HP), and MT LT (1.8 l, 141 hp). The same category includes the MT LTZ (1.8 l, 141 hp).

Clearance

The Chevrolet Cruze has earned fame in our latitudes not only thanks to its interesting design, but also thanks to its ground clearance, which is quite enough for you to drive into the private sector without worrying about the bottom of the car. The ground clearance of the model depends on the body type and some nuances.

The ground clearance of the Chevrolet Cruze sedan is officially 16 cm. In reality, this is not entirely true. Firstly, if we take into account the lower bumper trim, it will be 2 cm smaller. Secondly, in the rear of the car the ground clearance is greater due to the fact that the stern is raised. Here it reaches almost 22 centimeters.

The clearance of the Chevrolet Cruze hatchback, according to the passport data, is 155 millimeters. If you take into account the overlay, it turns out to be 135 mm. Of course, you can’t go off-road with such data, but for confident driving in our cities, it’s quite enough.

What has the Chevrolet Cruze station wagon prepared for us? The ground clearance of this modification is the same as that of the sedan. Only the feed is a little lower, due to the increased load on it.

Engine Chevrolet Niva 1.7 VAZ-2123

A 1.7-liter VAZ-2123 engine has been installed under the hood of the car since the start of production. The unit is a variation of the VAZ-21214 engine, adapted specifically for the Chevrolet Niva. The engine is equipped with a cylinder block made of high-strength cast iron, a timing belt with an overhead camshaft and a chain drive (single-row chain with tensioner), a distributed injection system, a valve mechanism with hydraulic compensators (adjustment of valve clearances is not required). The cylinder diameter is 82 mm, the piston stroke is 80 mm, the compression ratio is 9.3. The maximum output power of the engine does not exceed 80 hp, peak torque is 127.5 Nm (at 4000 rpm).

The VAZ engine of the Chevrolet Niva is not highly reliable. Its disadvantages include high levels of noise and vibration, high fuel consumption, a tendency to burn oil, and a short service life (in practice, no more than 150-200 thousand km). It was possible to increase the efficiency of the power unit through modernization carried out in 2015. As a result of the update, not only the fuel appetite decreased (by 2-4%), but also the amount of harmful emissions was reduced. This allowed the VAZ-2123 engine to comply with Euro-5 standards. The average fuel consumption of the Chevrolet Niva 1.7 is now 10.2 liters per 100 km (in the city - 13.2 liters, on the highway - 8.4 liters).

Characteristics of the 1.7 VAZ-2123 Chevrolet Niva engine:

Installing spacers

In order to increase the ground clearance of the Chevrolet Cruze, car owners often use spacers. This method allows you to raise the car by 25-40 mm. In order to increase the ground clearance, you must use the instructions below.

• Remove the shock absorber strut.
• Compress the spring with special fasteners.

• Screw an adapter, the length of which is more than 20 mm, into the shock absorber rod.

Shock absorber rod with extension

• Put on the spacer.

Appearance of the rack with spacer

• Check the fit of the spacer.
• Install the rack on the car.
• Install the washer.

• Tighten the nut.

• Check the alignment of the suspension.

Station wagon

For the Chevrolet Cruze station wagon model, the ground clearance is quite controversial. On the one hand, the ground clearance height of 140 mm can provide optimal stability and aerodynamics, and on the other hand, due to the longer wheelbase, it is a serious obstacle on dirt roads or broken roads. It also causes significant discomfort when moving speed bumps, which can be of impressive size.

Station wagon appearance

This figure concerns the most popular modification J308, produced from 2012 to 2015.

Chevrolet Cruze trunk, dimensions, ground clearance, ground clearance Chevrolet Cruze

The dimensions of the Chevrolet Cruze , its trunk volume and ground clearance are of interest to all potential buyers of this wonderful car. In today's article we will analyze in detail the dimensions of the trunk, dimensions and ground clearance of the Chevrolet Cruze .

Let’s say right away that today Cruz is sold in Russia in three body styles. These are the Cruze sedan, hatchback and Cruze in a universal body. The length of all cars is different, but the wheelbase and ground clearance are the same. The cabin is equally spacious in all three variants, but the size of the trunk varies significantly.

Dimensions and trunk

The Chevrolet Cruze sedan has the following dimensions: length 4597, width 1788, height 1477 mm. The hatchback car is 87 mm shorter than the sedan. The station wagon is 78 mm longer than the sedan. And if roof rails are installed on its roof, then it is 44 mm higher. The wheelbase of the model is 2685 millimeters. The trunk volume of the sedan is 450 liters, the hatchback - 413, and the station wagon - 500 liters. There is a full-size spare wheel in the trunk underground. By folding the rear seats you can increase the volume of the luggage compartment.

Salon

The car's interior is simple but not annoying. Already in the basic configuration, the Cruze is equipped with MP3, electric front lifts, four airbags and central locking. The interior is made of simple materials - fabric and hard plastic.

The seats have good lateral support, so the driver and passenger will not dangle from side to side when cornering, like pasta in a pan. The large steering wheel is adjustable in two planes.

The ergonomics of the Cruze cannot be called good or bad. It is far from ideal, but in general you can quickly get used to the arrangement of the instruments. The Cruise's noise insulation is like that of a budget car: you can hear everything that happens outside the cabin.

Trunk volume depends on the body type. So, 400 liters of cargo can be placed in a hatch, and 500 liters in a station wagon.

Owner reviews

• Boris, Saratov. At first I drove Ford Focus and Kia Sid station wagons of previous generations, then switched to a Chevrolet Cruze station wagon. I liked the car for its original design with a sporty silhouette. The car looks stylish from all angles - as if it were an executive car, but only smaller. The car has an energy-intensive suspension and good cross-country ability, despite the ground clearance of 140 mm. And yet, this car is better to drive on city and country roads. I have a version with a 1.8-liter engine. A car with such an engine accelerates and brakes excellently. The body looks impressive, but it is too high, and because of this it is not as aerodynamic as, say, the Mazda 3. The car accelerates smoothly, without jerking - I have the automatic version.
• Yaroslav, Leningrad region. I drive a 2014 Cruze, a car with a 140 horsepower engine. The transmission is a six-speed automatic. Before Cruz I had a Granta. Of course, it cannot be compared with Cruise, because he belongs to a larger class. The Lada Granta steers surprisingly more responsively, while the Cruze, on the contrary, is calmer, but its control is still much better tuned. The sharp steering, as expected, fills with feedback as speed increases. The car feels good, and this is the most important thing, especially in an emergency. The Cruise has a roomy trunk and a spacious five-seater interior, but there are complaints about the quality of materials - the front panel looks stylish and original, but it is made of cheap plastic. The equipment is normal. The car does not scour the track like the Granta. Exchange rate stability is at a high level. Ground clearance 140 mm. Yes, the Grant will be better in terms of cross-country ability. But for city roads, Cruz is also quite enough.
• Sergey, Sorochinsk. I purchased a Cruz hatchback in 2012. The car comes as standard, with a 1.6-liter engine producing 109 horsepower. with a manual transmission. During the first year of operation, I drove about 20 thousand km, and became convinced of the merits of the car. The car is spacious and richly equipped, despite the basic version. The car does not claim to be first in the class in terms of acceleration dynamics, but the 1.6-liter engine is plenty enough for taxi work. Passengers are happy, since the rear is very spacious - this is due to the long wheelbase. Fuel consumption is about 8 liters in the city. A car with a ground clearance of 140 mm holds well on the road, does not yaw or sway under the influence of the wind. The car's behavior is absolutely predictable. Personally, I support that the engineers did not increase the ground clearance, as this would greatly worsen stability.
• Andrey, Saransk. In 2013, I finally parted with my old VAZ-2106, but not quite - the car is gathering dust in the garage. I collected it on a Chevrolet Cruze with a 1.8-liter engine. Cool car. I have the sedan version. Stylish appearance, a powerful 140-horsepower engine and a clear manual transmission - perhaps nothing else is needed for the city. I mostly drive alone or alone with my girlfriend, and the back seat is empty for now, but it’s quite spacious for tall passengers. The version with a 1.8-liter engine sets you up for dynamic driving - the stiff suspension and tenacious brakes have an effect. Acceleration to the first hundred is not as impressive as I expected, but also very acceptable. I liked the Opel seats with lateral support - I tested them on the long-distance route Saransk - Nizhny Novgorod region (a distance of about 500 kilometers one way). To be honest, I was very tired - but not because of the seats, but because of the stiff suspension. But thanks to the ground clearance of 140 mm, the car does not roll in turns and behaves steadily.
• Bogdan, Moscow. The best car for your money. The version with a 1.8-liter engine showed itself on the positive side. Over the six years of operation, the Chevrolet Cruze has traveled 80 thousand kilometers, almost never breaking down in a major way. And yet, the car has disadvantages, and what a few! The delicate suspension, which is very stiff, does not have time to handle all the bumps in the road, is very frustrating. Once, at 160 km/h, I felt an incomprehensible stench from the engine compartment - it turned out that water was getting into the manifold, and an unpleasant odor appeared. The service fixed the problem, but an unpleasant residue remained. The rigid suspension and ground clearance of 140 mm make the car stable in corners, but at the expense of practicality and comfort. We'll see later. By the way, due to the rigid suspension, the cabin is very noisy and there are vibrations.
• Peter, Kyiv. The car is 2012, with the most popular 1.8 liter engine. Power 140 l. With. enough for everyday and dynamic driving. I have the hatchback version. There is enough space in the trunk to accommodate any luggage that will be needed on a long journey. The ground clearance is 140 mm - for me this is a disadvantage, since I like to go with friends on a picnic, in nature, etc. - where there are no good roads. The car is stiff and shakes a lot on a country road. On the highway it’s a completely different matter - I drove the route Kyiv - Yekaterinburg, and was not tired at all, although the distance is 5500 kilometers. On a good road the car is comfortable and cozy, nothing creaks. The powerful 1.8-liter engine is revealed in all its glory here, not like on a country road.
• Anton, Orenburg. I have owned the Chevrolet Cruze for seven long years. The car was purchased new, with a 1.8 engine in the middle configuration. Before purchasing, I read a lot of reviews and came to the conclusion that I should buy it. The sedan impressed me with its design and behavior on the road, but greatly disappointed me in terms of cross-country ability. Everything is fine with behavior on the highway; in such conditions, Cruz even behaves a little sportily, turns and brakes quickly, maintains a straight trajectory perfectly, and hardly rolls or sways. But if you turn onto a country road, the character of the car immediately changes. The steering wheel seems to lose feedback, you need to “search” for the wheels, as the car becomes uncontrollable and very rigid. You can feel every hole and bump. Very, very, very delicate pendant. Now the car is for sale, I hope that it will be bought. I saved some money and am going to take something “softer”.

Search form

This thing looks something like this, but costs about 5 thousand rubles per pair. Increasing ground clearance by installing intercoil inserts in the springs. The insert can be made of rubber, polyurethane and other composite materials. The disadvantage of such a system is that the spring will not work over the entire height, therefore, the suspension characteristics will change, the car will become stiffer, and the load on the suspension and chassis elements will increase.

Trying spacers for struts One of the simplest, but not the safest methods. Again, you don’t need to get too carried away and don’t try to raise the body above 30 mm. The method is ridiculously simple - spacers of the required thickness are installed between the body and the shock absorber strut at the front and between the body and the spring at the rear. The price of spacers depends on the material from which they are made. Whether it will be polyurethane, ebonite, anodized aluminum, steel, rubber or ABS plastic, everyone decides for themselves.

Ground clearance of a sedan (by year and modification)

One of the simplest methods of increasing the ground clearance of a Chevrolet Cruze is to install spacers. Interior We've discussed the outside, now let's take a look inside.

The salon also did not disappoint. It is interesting not only to look at it, but also to touch it. Attention to detail is evident in everything here. But there are also plenty of shortcomings, which is not surprising, given the price category in which this car is located. The entire interior is replete with backlashes.

The buttons are unclear to press, and the glove compartment closes unevenly. But if we talk about the build quality, its weaknesses will immediately become apparent. But the interior is quite spacious. Three adults can easily fit in the back row. The driver's seat has quite tolerable lateral support and a wide range of adjustments.

The steering wheel can also be conveniently adjusted to suit you. Equipment In the basic configuration, the equipment of the car is very ascetic: In expensive modifications everything is serious: On the road The design of the car indicates that it belongs to modest, but still dynamic cars.

Ways to enlarge

If, however, there is no way to tolerate such ground clearance, you can consider several ways to increase ground clearance . Each of them, of course, will have its own disadvantages, since in any case we will interfere with the architecture and geometry of the suspension, the calculated parameters of aerodynamics and stability. Nevertheless, here they are.

Changing wheels

This is the safest and most sane method of increasing ground clearance.

The bottom line is that when we have 16- inch wheels installed, and we change them to 17 -inch ones, then with the same tire height, the ground clearance increases by about 10 mm.

Accordingly, if you replace the 15th disks with 17th ones, we get an increase in clearance of approximately 20 mm. At the same time, do not forget that the height of the tire should be such that the rubber does not reach the wheel arches when loading.

Replacing wheel rims is one of the safe and simple methods of increasing ground clearance.

The downside of replacing tires with higher and non-standard ones may be problems with the accuracy of the speedometer and odometer readings, and this can also lead to incorrect operation of ABS and ESP. The advantage is that you can gain 20 mm of clearance without changing the suspension geometry and without changing the forces on the chassis elements.

Replacing springs and struts

The method is expensive and labor-intensive, although today you can choose sets of struts and springs of almost any height and with any characteristics.

Another thing is how constant velocity joints will react to this, because they are designed for a certain average operating angle of torque transmission, and changing it can lead to accelerated wear of the CV joints. And the very fact of raising the center of gravity will lead to a change in the stability and roll of the body in corners . In any case, you shouldn’t get carried away and 20-35 mm is quite enough to lift our Cruze to a safe distance above the road.