Gen 4 Ground Clearance driveways - much better etc

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by alanclarkeau, Jul 2, 2016.

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  1. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    My last 5 cars have become progressively lower to the ground and more susceptible to scraping.

    I'd asked the question a couple of months ago on PriusChat about how much ground clearance the Gen 4 has, and had a few replies at the time, which didn't quite give me the answer.

    I've only had my Gen 4 for a few days, but I've noticed that, compared with my previous car (2010 FORD Fiesta), the Gen 4 is much better. The previous car had to go VERY slowly into driveways and other places where it could be a problem, but now I can approach them at more normal speeds without coming at an angle or "hoping it doesn't scrape". Like anything, I'm sure that it would scrape somewhere if caution wasn't observed, but I'm pleased with it for normal driving.
     
    #1 alanclarkeau, Jul 2, 2016
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  2. Gen 2 Tom

    Gen 2 Tom Active Member

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    I don't think it's any better than previous generations of the Prius. Watch those wheel stop barrier's
     
    #2 Gen 2 Tom, Jul 4, 2016
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    You would be talking about the approach angle, rather than ground clearance.
     
    #3 Tideland Prius, Jul 4, 2016
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  4. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

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    Mine is lowered 1". I watch for everything.
     
    #4 krmcg, Jul 4, 2016
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  5. JamesBurke

    JamesBurke Senior Member

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    #5 JamesBurke, Jul 4, 2016
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i think the ground clearance is slightly lower at the front lip, but the wheel to lip distance ay make things easier.
     
    #6 bisco, Jul 4, 2016
  7. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    You're probably right - I know I don't have to approach at an angle and ridiculously slow. I was in a friend's driveway today and he said his Mazda 2 scrapes, and was surprised the Prius didn't.
     
    #7 alanclarkeau, Jul 5, 2016
  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Oh that's interesting. I would've thought the Mazda2 will have a greater approach angle since the front wheels are closer to the front edge of the car.

    Over here, we have to be careful not to hit the concrete barriers that are placed at the end of parking spots. The Gen 2 and 3 will either just clear it or just scrape it. The Gen 4 will end up with a cracked bumper if we make contact since it's definitely lower than the barriers.
     
    #8 Tideland Prius, Jul 6, 2016
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  9. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    I back in whenever possible. It's safer as well. I can see clearly how safe it is before proceeding into the spot, and when leaving the parking spot, no moron going 100 MPH in the parking lot can sneak up on me as I'm not backing out. ;)

    Of course occasionally, there is something high enough to even hit the rear bumper cover. But it seems more "sturdy" or resistant to damage than the front. Maybe because when backing in I go slower?
     
    #9 David Beale, Jul 6, 2016
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  10. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    I always reverse into a parking bay - camera shows what's there better than the front. But I can't easily reverse into my driveway, as they've stuck a traffic island in an awkward spot in my narrow street. And my Fiesta bottomed out in the driveway entry the one time I tried it in reverse. Maybe I could try the Prius.
     
    #10 alanclarkeau, Jul 6, 2016
  11. Hoddie

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    It's coming over the crest of a hill, say up a ramp from an underground car-park onto level ground, that causes me problems with the Prius here in Belgium. Speed bumps also, there are 2-3 streets in particular I simply have to avoid because the speed bumps there are so ridiculously constructed that they almost drag the exhaust off. My own driveway is a problem too but it's shared with the neighbours and I don't fancy the hassle I'll get from them if I bring someone in to remodel it.

    Ground clearance is the one thing I'm a little nervous about with the new Prius - pick mine up tomorrow and the specs tell me the clearance is lower than my old one...
     
    #11 Hoddie, Jul 7, 2016
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  12. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    I had a quick look at a Gen 3 the other day parked fairly close to mine - I think the front approach angle has improved, though it looked lower further underneath - but without a tape-measure I wouldn't be certain.
     
    #12 alanclarkeau, Jul 7, 2016
  13. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),24 Venza Limit,B52-D,G,F,H

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    It is the suspension for me. The Touring for 2009 and 2016 does not dip at all/ever. 2011 and 2012 would dip, chip, and scrape.
     
    #13 ETP, Jul 7, 2016
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  14. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    There are rubber devices you can place in the gutter to reduce the change in height. My friend who purchased Pearl from me has them and they work.
    They are made of recycled rubber, so it proves you are environmentally responsible as well. ;)
     
    #14 David Beale, Jul 7, 2016
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  15. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    The one on the right looks like a Prius Prime, not a Gen 4 Prius
     
    #15 kithmo, Aug 31, 2017
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  16. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    Thanks. I fixed it. Too much decaf.
     
    #16 Mark57, Aug 31, 2017
  17. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    #17 kithmo, Sep 1, 2017
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  18. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    It appears to me that the Gen 4 front and rear bumpers have more of an "up angle" than the Gen 3. This seems to allow more clearance before the tires hit the curb, reducing scrapes and whatnot, even though the overall Gen 4 ground clearance is lower.
     
    #18 RRxing, Sep 1, 2017
    Last edited: Sep 1, 2017
  19. pilotgrrl

    pilotgrrl Senior Member

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    My first car was a used 1983 Saab 900 S, which had the trans pan right underneath the front bumper. I learned to be careful about ground clearance a long time ago! :cool:
     
    #19 pilotgrrl, Sep 8, 2017
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  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The shape of the underside is a factor too. On our 2010, the leading under panel will slide up-and-over some curb stops. BUT, the back of that piece is kind of like a barb: when you subsequently back off of the curb stop, it snags and abrades/tears the heck out of it. :mad:
     
    #20 Mendel Leisk, Sep 8, 2017
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