Ask Honest John

Honest John Ask Honest John » We live in an area that often floods - what car do you recommend?
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

We live in an area that often floods - what car do you recommend?

We live in a deeply rural area that often suffers from flooding. While we don't really need a 4X4 we would like a car that we have some confidence can get through some surface water up to perhaps 12 inches. Can you suggest a car with a high-level air intake so as to avoid as much as possible the danger of taking water into the engine?

Asked on 27 June 2022 by Wynyard

Answered by Lawrence Allan
We can't recommend any traditional lower cars for your needs as a wading depth is not specified, meaning it is unclear whether the air intake design leaves them at risk of engine flooding. We can only recommend going to an SUV and checking the wading depth. Most (but not all) SUVs have a wading depth of over 15 inches so will satisfy your needs. The Volvo XC40 and Jeep Renegade are examples of smaller SUVs that are capable of wading up to 17 inches.
Similar questions
The accepted advice is that driving through floods should be avoided. If it is felt necessary then a low gear should be selected, slip the clutch and keep revs up to avoid water being taken into the exhaust....
Will an electric car get through floods as well as a petrol or diesel car?
Having driven through some epic puddles and sections of flooded roads over the last few months how do electric cars perform in these situations? Are the motors and connections fully waterproofed?
Related models
Small yet impressively spacious SUV. Good quality interior. Refined and quiet even at speed. Usefully large boot and wide opening rear doors.
Chunky upmarket and bold styling, excellent all-rounder, EV and plug-in hybrid versions.