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Prius C Ground Clearance?

Discussion in 'Prius c Main Forum' started by ThomPrius, Dec 16, 2011.

  1. ThomPrius

    ThomPrius Pondering Prius

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    My wife and I don't own a Prius yet, but we are seriously considering replacing one of our cars with a high mileage car and Prius seems to top that list. The Prius C seems especially appealing...so far.

    I couldn't find anything in a search on the Prius C ground clearance, and Toyota doesn't seem to have that data out yet.
    After much searching around I found "lower than a regular Prius" and reference or two to 60mm LOWER than a Toyota Yaris. THAT would put the ground clearance of a Prius C at only 79.7mm (3.14inches).

    IF thats true, and I am hoping someone got the math wrong, it would be a deal breaker for ME. Anyone confirm or deny?

    3 inch ground clearance would make the thread on "AWD" sort of a moot point, if the car high-centers on a heavy frost, much less snow. And that clearance would not get it past the speed bumps in my neighborhood or up the rounded curb they call a driveway entrance at my house. It certainly kills it for even an lightly gravelled road. :(
    I was hoping the high mileage car we end up with could be used for getting to distant hikes on smooth roads and maybe some smoother gravel roads. Probably have to look at a "regular" Prius. I am not sure the Prius C could handle the distance anyway, as its touted as a "city car".
     
    #1 ThomPrius, Dec 16, 2011
  2. ken1784

    ken1784 SuperMID designer

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    The overall height is 60mm lower than Yaris, but the ground clearance is the same, 140mm.

    Ken@japan
     
    #2 ken1784, Dec 17, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  3. xerox6135

    xerox6135 Member

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    Mine drags the front bumper pulling out of the drive way BIG DISAPOINTMENT Had i knew this I would have not bought this car:confused:
     
    #3 xerox6135, Apr 16, 2012
  4. R11

    R11 New Member

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    #4 R11, Apr 16, 2012
  5. Ashley7

    Ashley7 Active Member

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    Hm... I've been in and out of a local grocery store with a super steep driveway, and haven't scraped. No problems with our apartment's speed bumps either. Sorry to hear you're having issues :confused:
     
    #5 Ashley7, Apr 16, 2012
  6. ProximalSuns

    ProximalSuns Senior Member

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    Per the dimensions on the Toyota web site, the Prius C is 5.5" vs. the Prius 5.3".

    More ground clearance on the C than on the Prius.
     
    #6 ProximalSuns, Apr 16, 2012
  7. fgp

    fgp Active Member

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    for me, it just feels lower. i have not had a problem, but it feels like its going to scrape. i definetly wont be looking for any lowering springs!
     
    #7 fgp, Apr 16, 2012
  8. ProximalSuns

    ProximalSuns Senior Member

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    It did to me also but C definitely has more ground clearance. I measured two side by side as I was looking at a C initially.

    I think the seat is lower so that when you get out it feels lower.
     
    #8 ProximalSuns, Apr 16, 2012
  9. fgp

    fgp Active Member

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    very cool. thanks. sometimes just feeling like it is happening even if it is not. kind of like psycho stuff:)
     
    #9 fgp, Apr 16, 2012
  10. donny612

    donny612 "Captain Jack Sparrow"

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    I've not had any problems with speed bumps or driveways as of yet.
     
    #10 donny612, Apr 20, 2012
  11. dhanson865

    dhanson865 Expert and Devil's advocate

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    What are your tires inflated to?

    If the pressure is low it lowers the ride height. It's not much but it could be the difference between scraping or not.

    Try adding 5 psi to all the tires and see if it makes any difference.

    Oh and make sure you don't have a bunch of stuff permanently stashed in the car that would compress the suspension. A few bricks of gold in the back would be a bigger factor than the tire pressure. :D
     
    #11 dhanson865, Apr 20, 2012
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