Brazilian Honda Civic touring 2017 by JasonVogel — CC BY-SA 4.0 The first sunroof has its roots as far back as 1937, but it wasn’t widespread or popularized in the United States until the late 1960s and 1970s. In 1973, the moonroof with glass joined the party. The big panoramic sunroofs of today are a type of moonroof that has a large glass area. Luxury vehicles and SUVs are where you’ll find these most often, but are becoming more common with sedans.

2018 Kia Sportage by Vauxford — CC BY-SA 4.0 Modern vehicles are sitting a lot higher off the ground when compared to their older counterparts. This is largely because more automakers are realizing that there is an increase in demand for more ground clearance. Since the debut of crossover SUVs a few years back, consumers are looking for car options that can tackle rough terrain better. They want an ordinary daily commuter that can offer enough ground clearance—a feature that has mostly been reserved for monster SUVs and trucks.

2018 Audi Q7 by EurovisionNim — CC BY-SA 4.0 The Audi Q7 is a premium luxury SUV with great technology and great performance. Of course, that is par for the course in the class, but it is still a relief to see that a reputable brand like Audi is always working on staying at the top of their game. And their largest offering lives up to the four rings badge.

2017 Mazda CX-3 by Vauxford — CC BY-SA 4.0 It’s become the general consensus that you need an SUV to enjoy proper off-roading. Mazda is here to show you that isn’t necessarily the case. As you’ll learn in our guide to Mazda CX-3 ground clearance, you can get both off-road performance and capability in a hatchback. While it might not be the perfect off-road machine, the CX-3 certainly has a place among the rough terrain.

2017 Kia Sorento by Makizox — CC BY-SA 4.0 There are a few notable features a vehicle must have in order for it to be a worthy contender for off-roading. One of those is ground clearance. So today, we’re taking an in-depth look at the Kia Sorento ground clearance and whether it stacks up as an off-road vehicle. We’ll also discuss some other prominent features that complement the Sorento’s ground clearance.

2015-2017 BMW X1 by EurovisionNim — CC BY-SA 4.0 The BMW X1 ground clearance for 2021 (and the preceding five years) is 7.2 inches. This is below the general rule of 8.5 in. of ground clearance required for most off-roading activities. While this is lower than the suggested level, there are many significant advantages to the BMW X1’s ground clearance, including ultra-light off-roading. If you’re looking to get into more serious off-roading or need an extra inch of clearance to navigate that uneven road leading to your private winter wonderland cabin, there are basic steps you can take, such as installing a lift kit, to get the extra clearance you need.

Honda Pilot (third generation) by Alexander Migl — CC BY-SA 4.0 For the 2016 model year, the Honda Pilot dropped its rugged, coarse exterior in favor of a more aerodynamic, modern crossover look. But even though the looks don’t scream SUV so much anymore, the capabilities of the Pilot haven’t given up their roots. It is still a strong SUV with seating for up to eight, a powerful V6 engine, and a suspension that may have gotten a little lower than it used to be, but still stands high enough off the ground for most situations.

2018 BMW X3 by Vauxford — CC BY-SA 4.0 When discussing off-road vehicles, BMW’s X3 isn’t the first thing to come to the minds of most people. After all, the X3 is one classy-looking ride and not something you’d see yourself taking on remote trails. However, once you learn more about BMW X3 ground clearance, you might change your opinion of this vehicle. To help you better understand the capabilities of the X3 and where it stands among the off-road competition, we’re taking a closer look at this high-end SUV.