Highest Ground Clearance Cars in India (2023)

Ground clearance is one of the most crucial factors when buying a car in India. With varied road conditions that include pothole-filled roads, unpaved roads, speed breakers and off-roading conditions, the ground clearance of a car plays a crucial role. If you are buying a car and looking for a vehicle with high ground clearance, this article is for you. Read on as we have compiled the list of the highest ground clearance cars in India as of September 2023.

List of Best Ground Clearance Cars in India (2023)

The following table lists the highest ground clearance cars in India.

Cars with High Ground Clearance in India

In the following sections, let’s take a detailed look at the cars with the highest ground clearance in India.

1. Citroen C5 Aircross

The Citroen C5 Aircross is a compact crossover SUV from the French automaker. The updated iteration of the SUV sports a revamped exterior and interior. With a massive ground clearance of 230 mm, the C5 Aircross is a perfect vehicle for Indian road conditions. It is available with a diesel engine mated to an automatic gearbox.

Price: Rs. 37.17 lakhs

Key Specifications

Here are the technical specifications of the Citroen C5 Aircross

2. Mahindra Thar

Price: 10.54 lakhs to Rs. 16.78 lakhs

Mahindra Thar is a popular SUV in the Indian market. It is an off-road focussed SUV. Hence, offers a massive ground clearance of 226 mm. If you are an off-road enthusiast, the Thar is an ideal SUV. The SUV is available in petrol and diesel engine options.

Key Specifications

Here are the technical specifications of the Mahindra Thar.

3. Isuzu V-Cross

The Isuzu V-Cross is a pickup truck with a rugged exterior design and a capable drivetrain with 4x4 capability. The V-Cross offers a ground clearance of 225 mm, which is ideal for tackling rough road conditions. The vehicle is available with a diesel engine with manual or automatic transmission

Price: Rs. 22.07 lakhs to Rs. 27 lakhs

Key Specifications

The following table provides the technical specifications of the Isuzu V-Cross

4. Toyota Fortuner

The Toyota Fortuner is one of the best full-size SUVs in the Indian market, with a ground clearance of 220 mm. It offers a perfect blend of styling and performance. The Fortuner is available with petrol and diesel engine options with a choice of manual and automatic transmission.

Price: Rs. 32.99 lakhs to Rs. 50.74 lakhs

Key Specifications

Here’s a table with the technical details of the Toyota Fortuner.

5. Honda Elevate

The Honda Elevate is the new kid in the block in the popular compact SUV segment. Despite being a compact SUV, the Elevate offers a commendable ground clearance of 220 mm. The generous ground clearance makes it an ideal SUV for Indian roads. The Elevate is available with a petrol engine mated to a manual or a CVT gearbox.

Price: Rs. 11 lakhs to Rs. 16 lakhs

Key Specifications

You can refer to the following table for the specifications of the Honda Elevate.

6. Isuzu MU-X

The Isuzu MU-X is a full-size 7-seater SUV that features a rugged exterior and a spacious interior. It offers a ground clearance of 220 mm, which is more than enough for Indian roads. The MU-X is available with a powerful diesel engine, and the drivetrain offers 4x4.

Price: Rs. 35 lakhs to Rs. 37.90 lakhs

Key Specifications

Here are the key specifications of the Isuzu MU-X.

7. Kia Sonet

The Kia Sonet is a popular compact SUV that offers a good ground clearance of 211 mm. It is suited for Indian roads with big speed breakers, potholes and uneven surfaces. The Kia Sonet is available with petrol and diesel engine options. The engines come mated to a manual or automatic transmission.

Price: Rs. 7.79 lakhs to Rs. 14.89 lakhs

Key Specifications

The following table denotes the specifications of the Kia Sonet.

8. Maruti Suzuki Jimny

The Maruti Suzuki Jimny is the most anticipated off-road focussed SUV. It boasts a ground clearance of 210 mm. The SUV is ideal for both on-road and off-road driving conditions. The Jimny is available with a petrol engine mated to a manual or an automatic gearbox.

Price: Rs. 12.74 lakhs to Rs. 15.05 lakhs

Key Specifications

Here are the technical specifications of the Maruti Suzuki Jimny.

9. Tata Nexon

The Tata Nexon is a well-established product in the compact SUV segment in the Indian market. The SUV is known for its excellent build quality and safety features. The Nexon offers a ground clearance of 209 mm, which is good for a compact SUV. The Nexon is available with a petrol and diesel engine. The SUV comes with a choice of manual and AMT gearbox.

Price: Rs. 8 lakhs to Rs. 14.60 lakhs

Key Specifications

The following table provides the technical details of the Tata Nexon.

10. Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

The Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara is a compact SUV with a new design language. It boasts a ground clearance of 208 mm, which is good for a compact SUV. It can easily handle bad roads and can offer a good driving experience. It is available with a petrol engine with hybrid technology. It can be had with a manila or an automatic gearbox.

Price: Rs. 10.70 lakhs to Rs. 19.99 lakhs

Key Specifications

Here are the technical specifications of the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara.

Highest Ground Clearance SUVs in India (2023)

SUVs are known for their ruggedness, high ground clearance and high seating position. They are suitable for long drives and also for tackling off-road. Generally, SUVs have better ride heights than other segment vehicles. Here’s the list of SUVs with high ground clearance.

Highest Ground Clearance Sedans in India (2023)

Sedans typically don't offer ample ground clearance. But some models sport an excellent ride height, and they are listed below.

Highest Ground Clearance Hatchbacks in India (2023)

Below is the list of hatchbacks with high ground clearance.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions related to car ground clearance.

Which are some of the best high ground clearance cars in India?

Mahindra Thar, Citroen C5 Aircross, Toyota Fortuner, and Isuzu V-Cross are some of the cars with high ground clearance.

What is the suitable ground clearance for a car for Indian roads?

A ground clearance of around 170 to 180 mm is ideal for Indian roads. However, a minimum of 165 mm of ride height is required to drive on Indian roads safely.

Can I increase the ground clearance of my car?

Yes, you can increase the ride height of your car by upgrading to a higher profile tyre/wheel or by modifying the suspension. But do remember that it may void the manufacturer's warranty and affect the handling of the vehicle.

Does high ground clearance affect the handling of the car?

Yes, a high ride height results in a high centre of gravity. It translates to poor stability, and the chances of rollover are high. That is the reason SUVs experience body roll in corners.

What is the suitable ground clearance for a car for Indian roads?

A ground clearance of around 170-180 mm is ideal for Indian roads. However, a minimum of 165 mm of ride height is required to drive on Indian roads safely.

Can I increase the ground clearance of my car?

Yes, you can increase the ride height of your car by upgrading to a higher profile tyre/wheel or by modifying the suspension. But do remember that it may void the manufacturer warranty and affect the handling of the vehicle.

Does high ground clearance affect the handling of the car?

Yes, a high ride height results in a high centre of gravity. It translates to poor stability, and the chances of rollover are high. That is the reason SUVs experience body roll in corners.

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