Since we were born, typhoons and heavy rains have always been a part of our life. With this situation, having floods in cities and low lying areas have become a common scene. So what is a good option when buying a car for this particular concern?
Options
Toyota Wigo
Known for its compact design, the Toyota Wigo is a good option for sudden maneuver and turning when a flood is potted. The length is 3,760 mm which is one of the ideal lengths for small cars to flood.
Photo by: Toyota Philippines
Mitsubishi Montero Sport
Mtisubishi Montero Sport has one of the widest wheel diameters at 18 inches. The wider the tires are, the better when it comes to flooding. Its minimum ground clearance is 218 mm.
Photo by: Mitsubishi Philippines
Honda CRV VX Turbo CVT AWD
This Honda CRV variant has one of the highest ground clearance among SUVs at 208 mm. This is its main advantage so that flood water cannot get in touch with the underside of the vehicle.
Photo by: Honda Philippines
Get ready to face the storms and heavy rains now that you have good car choices.
Risks
It is always risky to submerge any type of vehicle to water. I once had to do this with my Toyota Wigo and Suzuki Ciaz and it was really scary. Cars are land vehicles and are never meant to be driven in water.
Many of its parts are made of metal, electrical and electronic components. Plus the very fact that it is running through burning (combustion) or even with batteries (electric vehicle) means water is a natural enemy. So be warned, never ever submerge your vehicle on flood unless it is modified to do so.
How to Choose
There are only a few things to consider when getting a car with flood in mind:
High ground clearance
This is obvious, the higher your car is from the ground, the lower the risk for flood to get contact with it.
Easy to maneuver
You will think that smaller cars meet this criterion which is ideal. If ever you become stuck on the road and can’t pass through the flood, you can easily turn around and find other routes.
Warranty
Many brand new cars have a 1 year warranty for parts and labor. But those that extend up to 3 to 5 years are the best. Look for a car that gives you this benefit so no matter what happens, you’ll have peace of mind when it comes to repairs.