Top 10 SUVs with the Highest Ground Clearance

Indian drivers often face uneven roads, flooded streets, and rough trails, making ground clearance a vital factor for comfort and capability.

The following popular models stand out for their impressive ground clearance, helping drivers tackle diverse conditions with ease. Each offers a mix of capable engines and essential safety equipment suited to everyday use or adventure.

Force Motors Gurkha

The Force Gurkha leads with the highest ground clearance of 233 mm, ideal for serious off-roading.

It features a robust 2.6-litre diesel engine producing around 138 bhp of power and 320 Nm of torque, mated exclusively to a five-speed manual transmission and four-wheel drive with locking differentials.

Standard safety equipment includes dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, and a sturdy ladder-frame construction for added protection.

Mahindra Thar

The Mahindra Thar provides 226 mm of ground clearance to tackle rough terrains.

Powertrain choices include a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol unit delivering 150 bhp or diesel options in 1.5-litre and 2.2-litre forms, available with manual or automatic gearboxes and rear-wheel or four-wheel drive setups.

Standard safety features include dual airbags, ESP, hill-hold assist, and a four-star Global NCAP rating.

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Toyota Fortuner

The Toyota Fortuner offers 225 mm of ground clearance, making it a strong choice for both highway cruising and off-road duties.

Buyers can select from a 2.8-litre diesel mild-hybrid setup with up to 198 bhp and 500 Nm or a 2.7-litre petrol engine, paired with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Select diesel variants also come with four-wheel drive.

It comes equipped with seven airbags, VSC/ESP, and traction control.

Honda Elevate

The Honda Elevate achieves 220 mm of ground clearance for smooth rides over bad patches.

It is powered by a single 1.5-litre petrol engine generating 119 bhp and 145 Nm of torque, offered with either a six-speed manual or a CVT.

Standard safety includes six airbags, ESP, and hill-start assist. Top variants get Level 2 ADAS with features such as collision mitigation braking.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

The Maruti Suzuki Victoris stands at 210 mm of ground clearance.

Powertrain options consist of a 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol producing around 102 bhp, a strong-hybrid version delivering up to 114 bhp combined, and even CNG variants, available with manual, automatic, or e-CVT transmissions.

It features six airbags as standard, ESP, a five-star Global and Bharat NCAP rating, and Level 2 ADAS in select trims.

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder measures 210 mm in ground clearance and excels in efficiency.

It offers a 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine or a strong-hybrid setup with total system output near 114 bhp, plus a CNG option, paired with a manual, torque converter automatic, or an eCVT (Hybrid only) transmission. It also offers all-wheel drive on some petrol variants.

Standard safety covers six airbags, ABS with EBD, and ESP.

MG Gloster

The MG Gloster has 210 mm of ground clearance.

Its 2.0-litre diesel engine, available in single or twin-turbo forms with outputs from 157 bhp to 210 bhp, is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and optional four-wheel drive.

Standard safety equipment includes six airbags, ESP, a 360-degree camera, and ADAS.

Maruti Suzuki Jimny

The Maruti Jimny offers 210 mm of ground clearance, which aids significantly during off-road adventures.

It is equipped with a 1.5-litre petrol engine producing 103 bhp and 134 Nm of torque, mated to a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. It gets an ALLGRIP PRO four-wheel-drive system with low-range gearing.

Standard safety features include six airbags, ESP, hill-hold assist, and a ladder-frame chassis for durability on challenging terrains.

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Tata Nexon

The Tata Nexon has one of the highest ground clearances in its segment at 208 mm, proving highly capable on rough city roads.

Engine choices comprise a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol, 1.5-litre diesel, and CNG variants with power outputs ranging from 99 bhp to 118 bhp, paired with manual, AMT, or DCA transmissions.

It boasts six airbags and ESP as standard, along with a five-star Bharat NCAP rating.

Tata Sierra

The Tata Sierra provides 205 mm of ground clearance.

It features three 1.5-litre engine options - a naturally aspirated petrol producing around 105 bhp, a turbo-petrol delivering up to 158 bhp, and a turbo-diesel with about 116 bhp, paired with manual, torque converter automatic, and DCA (DCT) transmissions with front-wheel drive.

Standard safety includes ESP, six airbags, Level 2 ADAS in higher variants, and a robust build.

Image Source: Respective Carmakers