[CLine]

I'm getting ready to purchase a new Volt but having some concerns about the relatively low ground clearance. We live in the country (in Massachusetts) and have to deal with some bumpy dirt roads and frost heaves in winter. In the past we've had Honda CR-V's and Subaru Outbacks which are AWD and sit higher off the ground.

Has anyone had ground clearance issues with their Volt on these kinds of roads? Thanks!

 

[jcanoe]

I would also be concerned about how the Volt's tires would perform. The standard 215/50R17 size tires are fairly low profile. The OEM Michelin Energy Saver A/S tires on the Volt have a reputation for having a thin and unforgiving sidewall that splits and tears easily. I would definitely want to carry a spare space saver tire, scissor jack and tire changing tools just in case.

 

[Louisiana]

I have not had a problem with my 2015 Volt and I do not know how it compares in clearance to a 2017. I have never driven it in the snow, but I have driven it on gravel roads and in open pastures without a road. It is not a truck or an ATV and I know how to drive slow and careful, but it has never been a problem. Love the car.

 

[bjrosen]

The ground clearance on the Volt is extremely poor, if you live on a dirt road I'd avoid it. I have taken mine over dirt roads in Vermont in the summer and it did fine but I've also had it bottom out and scrape the ground coming out of a steep driveway that has a little hump where it connects to the street (both paved). The lack of all wheel drive can be compensated for with a good set of snow tires, the OEM tires are useless if there is any snow. The first snow storm of the year I nearly got stuck trying to get out of the parking lot of the local Agway. The driveway out of the Agway has a slight rise. I couldn't get out without backing up and getting a running start. After that I ordered an extra set of rims from Costco.com and when they came I bought a set of Blizzaks at Costco. I haven't had any problems in the snow since I got the snow tires but it was a surprise to me that I needed them because my previous car was AWD and it was fine in the snow with all season tires.

 

[ctsolar]

I drive on dirt roads occasionally and have had no issues. I drive the Volt like any normal car. I recently had to drive in 10 inches of snow. I normally do not drive if there is over 6 inches but had no choice. Snow was coming over the hood when I hit deep areas. Very scary drive that I do not want to repeat. Blizzak snows all around. The Volt did great and got me home

The stock tires should be fine for dirt roads. Just keep the pressure no lower than 38.

 

[Prohidium]

The gen 1 will scrape the front rubber dam on pot holes and angles that most cars would easily clear. However, the rubber dam is designed for this sort of torture and can take quite a beating. My rubber dam shows signs of wear long the edges but after almost 5 years of daily scraping, it does not look bad at all. You just have to tune out the scraping noise when it happens.

Aside from the above, I have scraped higher up on the hard plastic piece below the grill. As the scraping is underneath, again, it is not noticeable.

If you are careful, as in not reckless, you will be fine. The clearances, aside from the rubber dam issue, are average for this size of car.

 

[Barry]

^ I agree with this. Similar clearance to other small cars I have owned, except that the rubber air dam is a lot lower. But it will flex and could even be removed. So for instance, if you would buy a Honda Civic for driving those roads, then this would be similar. But not as good as a small SUV like you have owned. I would not hesitate to drive it on a dirt road that is in good condition, but a bad one could be a problem.

 

[Steverino]

a reputation for having a thin and unforgiving sidewall that splits and tears easily

...when hitting curbs, metal debris, or deep and sharp potholes.

My OEM tires have about 45k miles on them. No splits or tears, but I don't bang them against curbs, etc.

 

[Coppersnowboarder]

I drive on remote Forest Service roads to wilderness trailheads almost weekly during the summer and drive snowdrifted highways through the winter. I did not have many clearance issues with my Volt, nor the Prius before it. I get rock ticks on the underbody and drive very slowly. I purchased Michelin X-Ice and intend to keep them on year-round because we only have a ninety-day growing season in the mountains.

 

[canehdian]

It has similar clearance to a standard car. As mentioned before, the scraping you hear is a flexible rubber portion designed to do that. You can remove it entirely if you so wish, it's just for aerodynamics. Voilà, same ground clearance as any other car.

 

[bjrosen]

It has similar clearance to a standard car. As mentioned before, the scraping you hear is a flexible rubber portion designed to do that. You can remove it entirely if you so wish, it's just for aerodynamics. Voilà, same ground clearance as any other car.

It might do as well as any other small car not built for off road applications. I'm sure the Subaru has higher clearances and any big SUV or Jeep will do much better on a rough dirt road. I'm assuming Cline lives in Western Ma, there are some really bad dirt roads that I wouldn't dare take my Volt over, I've driven them with my older Chrysler 300C which had much higher clearances than the Volt and I was scraping bottom with that car. If I lived on one of those roads I'd buy a Jeep.

 

[canehdian]

It might do as well as any other small car not built for off road applications. I'm sure the Subaru has higher clearances and any big SUV or Jeep will do much better on a rough dirt road. I'm assuming Cline lives in Western Ma, there are some really bad dirt roads that I wouldn't dare take my Volt over, I've driven them with my older Chrysler 300C which had much higher clearances than the Volt and I was scraping bottom with that car. If I lived on one of those roads I'd buy a Jeep.

Well if you see the volt has same ground clearance to similar cars the question is not "Would a volt work for me?", but "Would a car work for me?"
In which case the answer is no if you're in such extreme terrain. The fact that the car is a volt or a cruze or a civic or (...) is irrelevant, really.

 

[Joe67]

I'm getting ready to purchase a new Volt but having some concerns about the relatively low ground clearance. We live in the country (in Massachusetts) and have to deal with some bumpy dirt roads and frost heaves in winter. In the past we've had Honda CR-V's and Subaru Outbacks which are AWD and sit higher off the ground.

Has anyone had ground clearance issues with their Volt on these kinds of roads? Thanks!

No real issues with clearance on my 2012 Volt than I've seen on other, similar size cars.

 

[hellsop]

...when hitting curbs, metal debris, or deep and sharp potholes.

My OEM tires have about 45k miles on them. No splits or tears, but I don't bang them against curbs, etc.

... yet.

 

[ScottinMA]

Well if you see the volt has same ground clearance to similar cars the question is not "Would a volt work for me?", but "Would a car work for me?"
In which case the answer is no if you're in such extreme terrain. The fact that the car is a volt or a cruze or a civic or (...) is irrelevant, really.

That statement is perfect! I have two Subaru's and one Isuzu Vehicross. Also live in MA (on the Cape). This is the first "car" I have purchased in a long time and I don't elect to take roads that I would have in the Subu's or VX. But I LOVE this car for the technology and long lost memories of purchasing gas frequently.