Top 10 SUVs with the Highest Ground Clearance

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.

Also Read - Best Rugged 4x4 and AWD SUVs You Can Buy
 

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.

MG Majestor 

The MG Majestor is a brand-new D+ segment flagship from MG Motor India, positioned as a direct rival to the Toyota Fortuner. This massive body-on-frame ladder-frame SUV measures over 5 metres in length (5046 mm) and nearly 2 metres in width, giving it commanding road presence and a tall stance.

Its standout feature is the 219 mm unladen ground clearance, which allows it to tackle uneven surfaces with confidence. Complementing this is an impressive 810 mm water-wading capacity, one of the best in its class.

 The Majestor comes equipped with a serious off-road arsenal: a 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel engine producing around 212-215 bhp and 478 Nm of torque, available with 4x4 drivetrain featuring triple differential locks, 10 terrain modes, crawl control, and advanced 4WD systems which probably helped it pull a 400 tonne train.

Renault Duster

The all-new Renault Duster 2026 brings back the legendary name with modern updates while retaining its core strength as an affordable, capable SUV for bad roads. Launched recently, it features a confirmed 212 mm ground clearance one of the highest in the mid-size SUV segment. 

This height, combined with Renault's proven suspension tuning, helps it glide over potholes, broken roads, and light off-road trails effortlessly.

The 2026 Duster offers good approach (around 26.9°) and departure angles (around 34.7° in tested specs), making it practical for real-world Indian conditions.

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.

See - Upcoming Cars in India
 

Q: How do car makers measure ground clearance?

Car manufacturers measure ground clearance (also called ride height) by placing the unladen vehicle (no passengers or cargo, just standard fluids and fuel) on a perfectly flat, level surface. 

They then use a tape measure or laser tool to find the vertical distance from the ground to the lowest fixed point on the vehicle's underbody. This lowest point is usually the differential housing, oil pan, exhaust, suspension components, or frame excluding the wheels and tires (unsprung mass). 

Q: What are the pros and cons of high ground clearance?

High ground clearance (typically 200mm+) offers clear advantages on Indian roads: it helps the car glide over potholes, speed breakers, waterlogged areas, and broken patches without scraping the underbody, protecting the oil pan, exhaust, and suspension. 

It also improves approach/departure angles for light off-roading and gives better visibility over traffic. However, the downsides include a higher center of gravity, which can cause more body roll, reduced stability during high-speed cornering, and a slightly floaty handling feel. F

Fuel efficiency may drop due to increased aerodynamic drag and weight from taller suspension or larger tires. In extreme cases, very high clearance can make the car feel less planted on smooth highways.

Q: Can I increase the ground clearance of my car?

Yes, you can increase ground clearance, but it should be done carefully to avoid safety and handling issues. Common safe methods include fitting taller-profile tires (within manufacturer limits usually adds 10-20mm), upgrading to a mild suspension lift kit or coilovers, or using quality spacers. 

Bigger tires are the simplest and least invasive option. However, excessive lifting (more than 25-40mm) can negatively affect steering geometry, suspension travel, CV joint angles, and braking performance. It raises the center of gravity further (increasing rollover risk), may void warranty, cause faster tire/suspension wear, and worsen fuel economy.

 Always consult a professional tuner and get an alignment done afterward. Minor increases are fine for bad-road use, but drastic changes are not recommended for daily drivers.

Q: Which is the highest ground clearance car in India?

The 2.5 crore Land Rover Defender Octa holds the title for the absolute highest ground clearance car available in India, with an impressive 323 mm when its adaptive air suspension is raised to the maximum off-road height. 

This figure comes in a special "OCTA Mode" designed for extreme performance off-roading, along with a massive 1-meter (1000 mm) water-wading depth.
 

Image Source: Respective Carmakers