Ground Clearance
Ground clearance is the distance between the lowest point of a car’s underside and the road — effectively its ride height. More clearance (180–220 mm on SUVs) means speed bumps, farm tracks and kerbs hold no fear; less (120–140 mm on sports cars) means sharper handling but careful parking. For most UK drivers it’s about practicality rather than off-roading: higher cars are also easier to get in and out of.
Example
A typical family SUV has around 190 mm of clearance versus 140 mm for a hatchback — the difference you feel over every sleeping policeman.