Approach angle is the maximum angle of a ramp onto which a vehicle can climb from a horizontal plane without interference. [1] It is defined as the angle between the ground and the line drawn between the front tire and the lowest-hanging part of the vehicle at the front overhang.[2] Departure angle is its counterpart at the rear of the vehicle – the maximum ramp angle from which the car can descend without damage. Approach and departure angles are also referred to as ramp angles.[3]
Approach and departure angles are indicators of off-road ability of the vehicle: they indicate how steep of obstacles, such as rocks or logs, the vehicle can negotiate according to its body shape alone.[2]