Highest Ground Clearance Cars in India: Best Options in Each Segment
Key Highlights
- The Tata Nexon sports the best ground clearance (208mm) in the affordable segment.
- At 250mm, the Mercedes-Benz G 580 EQ has the highest ground clearance in India.
- For good off-road capabilities, high ground clearance should be backed by sharp approach, breakover and departure angles.
Cars with high ground clearance are often favoured in India, especially in rural areas, due to their capability to tackle rough terrains better. In the case of 4x4s, high ground clearance is a must-have alongside good approach, departure and breakover angles. It is worth mentioning that manufacturers calculate ground clearance in unladen/unloaded format. A fully packed car may significantly drop in ride height. On this list, cars with the highest ground clearances in India (above 205mm) are grouped into major price categories:
Highest Ground Clearance Cars Under 15 Lakh Ex-Showroom
Tata Nexon (208mm)
The Tata Nexon compact crossover is available in three engine formats: 1.5-litre Revotorq diesel 4-cylinder (113.31bhp @ 3,750rpm; 260Nm @ 1,500rpm; 5-speed manual or AMT), 1.2-litre Revotron turbo petrol 3-cylinder (118.27bhp @ 5,500rpm; 170Nm @ 1,750rpm; 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, 6-speed AMT or 7-speed DCT) and 1.2-litre Revotron turbo CNG 3-cylinder (99bhp @ 5,000rpm; 170Nm @ 2,000rpm; 6-speed manual).
- Ex-showroom price: ₹7.32-14.15 lakh
Maruti Suzuki Jimny (210mm)
The Maruti Suzuki Jimny, a proper compact SUV and a true 4x4 off-roader, comes with only one engine option: a 1.5-litre K15B NA petrol 3-cylinder. It generates 103bhp @ 6,000rpm and 134Nm @ 4,000rpm while mated to either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic.
- Ex-showroom price: ₹12.31-14.45 lakh
Mahindra Thar 3-Door (226mm)
The Mahindra Thar, even in RWD format, is one of the most desired lifestyle cars on the Indian market. There are three engine choices: 1.5-litre D117 CRDe diesel 4-cylinder (116.93bhp @ 3,500rpm; 300Nm @ 1,750rpm; 6-speed manual; RWD), 2.2-litre mHawk 130 CRDe diesel 4-cylinder (130bhp @ 3,750rpm; 300Nm @ 1,600rpm; 6-speed torque converter) and 2.0-litre mStallion 150 TGDi turbo petrol (150.19bhp @ 5,000rpm; 320Nm @ 1,500rpm; 6-speed manual or 6-speed torque converter). Only select engine-gearbox combos get 4WD.
- Ex-showroom price: ₹9.99-16.99 lakh
Highest Ground Clearance Cars Under 20 Lakh Ex-Showroom
Tata Nexon EV
The Tata Nexon EV is available in two battery packs: 30kWh (95kW/127bhp; 215Nm) and 45kWh (110kW/142bhp; 215Nm). The former promises 275km of MIDC range, while this figure rises to 489km in the latter.
- Ex-showroom price: ₹12.49-17.49 lakh
Tata Curvv
Just like its more affordable sub-four-metre compact SUV sibling, the Tata Curvv compact crossover is available in three engine formats: 1.5-litre Revotorq diesel 4-cylinder (113.31bhp @ 3,750rpm; 260Nm @ 1,500rpm; 5-speed manual or AMT), 1.2-litre Revotron turbo petrol 3-cylinder (118.27bhp @ 5,500rpm; 170Nm @ 1,750rpm; 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, 6-speed AMT or 7-speed DCT) and 1.2-litre Revotron turbo CNG 3-cylinder (99bhp @ 5,000rpm; 170Nm @ 2,000rpm; 6-speed manual).
- Ex-showroom price: ₹12.49-17.49 lakh
Force Gurkha 3-Door / 5-Door (233mm)
Both the 3-Door and 5-Door avatars of the Force Gurkha get the same FM 2.6-litre CRDi 4-cylinder diesel engine. It churns out 138bhp @ 3,200rpm and 320Nm @ 1,400Nm. 4WD comes standard, coupled to a 5-speed manual. What the Gurkha lacks in being a good road car is overshadowed by its strong off-road capabilities.
- Ex-showroom price: ₹15.95-17.27 lakh
Mahindra Scorpio Classic (209mm)
Owing to strong demand, the previous-gen Mahindra Scorpio is still available in an updated ‘Classic’ avatar. There is only one powertrain option: 2.2-litre mHawk 4-cylinder diesel, which generates 130bhp @ 3,750rpm and 300Nm @ 1,600rpm, while mated to a 6-speed manual.
- Ex-showroom price: ₹12.98-16.70 lakh
Honda Elevate (220mm)
The Honda Elevate, the Japanese automaker’s only SUV in India, offers the highest ground clearance in a segment dominated by the likes of the Hyundai Creta. It is powered by a 1.5-litre i-VTEC NA petrol 4-cylinder engine making 119bhp @ 6,600rpm and 145Nm @ 4,300rpm. This is mated to either a 6-speed manual or CVT.
- Ex-showroom price: ₹11.05-16.67 lakh
Maruti Suzuki Victoris (210mm)
The Maruti Suzuki Victoris is a slightly updated ARENA alternative to the NEXA-exclusive Grand Vitara. There are three NA petrol powertrain choices: K15C 4-cylinder petrol+CNG (86.63bhp @ 5,500rpm; 121.5Nm @ 4,200rpm; 5-speed manual), K15C 4-cylinder petrol Smart Hybrid (101.64bhp @ 6,000rpm; 139Nm @ 4,300rpm; 5-speed manual or 6-speed torque converter) and M15D 3-cylinder Strong hybrid (91.18bhp @ 5,500rpm + 78.9bhp; 122Nm @ 3,800rpm + 141Nm; 115bhp combined; e-CVT).
- Ex-showroom price: ₹10.50-19.99 lakh
Highest Ground Clearance Car Under 25 Lakh
Tata Curvv EV
The Tata Curvv EV, unlike the Nexon EV, is available in a higher battery pack too: 45kWh (110kW/142bhp; 215Nm) and 55kWh (123kW/165bhp; 215Nm). Torque figures are identical in both variants. MIDC-claimed range figures stand at 430km and 502km, respectively.
- Ex-showroom price: ₹17.49-22.24 lakh
Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara / Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder (210mm)
Both the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder share the same powertrain choices as the newer Victoris. Output figures remain the same: K15C 4-cylinder petrol+CNG (86.63bhp @ 5,500rpm; 121.5Nm @ 4,200rpm; 5-speed manual), K15C 4-cylinder petrol Smart Hybrid (101.64bhp @ 6,000rpm; 139Nm @ 4,300rpm; 5-speed manual or 6-speed torque converter) and M15D 3-cylinder Strong hybrid (91.18bhp @ 5,500rpm + 78.9bhp; 122Nm @ 3,800rpm + 141Nm; 115bhp combined; e-CVT).
- Ex-showroom price: ₹10.77-19.72 lakh / ₹10.95-19.76 lakh
Mahindra Thar ROXX (226mm)
Contrary to popular belief, the Mahindra Thar ROXX is not a larger Thar 3-Door (which is based on the previous-gen Scorpio) and is built on an all-new architecture. There are two 4-cylinder engine options at varied states of tune within each: 2.2-litre mHawk diesel (150bhp @ 3,750rpm / 172.45bhp @ 3,500rpm; 330Nm @ 1,500rpm / 400Nm @ 1,750rpm; 6-speed manual or 6-speed torque converter / 6-speed torque converter) and 2.0-litre mStallion TGDi turbo petrol (159.58bhp @ 5,000rpm / 174.33bhp @ 5,000rpm; 330Nm @ 1,500rpm / 380Nm @ 1,750rpm; 6-speed manual / 6-speed torque converter). 4WD variants come only in diesel format.
- Ex-showroom price: ₹12.25-22.06 lakh
Highest Ground Clearance Cars Within 20-30 Lakh Ex-Showroom
Mahindra BE 6 (207mm)
The Mahindra BE 6 is one of the first cars in the brand’s INGLO EV platform. It aims to be a compact, driver-focused performance car. Based on the ‘Pack’ of choice, the Mahindra BE 6 is available in two battery formats: 59kWh (170kW; 380Nm; 557km MIDC range) and 79kWh (210kW; 380Nm; 683km MIDC range).
- Ex-showroom price: ₹18.90-27.65 lakh
Mahindra XEV 9e (207mm)
The Mahindra XEC 9e, also based on the INGLO EV architecture, is a larger, family-focused premium SUV. Battery packs remain the same, though range figures vary due to increased dimensions and weight. The choices include: 59kWh (170kW; 380Nm; 542km MIDC range) and 79kWh (210kW; 380Nm; 656km MIDC range).
- Ex-showroom price: ₹21.90-31.25 lakh
Highest Ground Clearance Cars Within 30-40 Lakh Ex-Showroom
Toyota Hilux (220mm)
The Toyota Hilux is arguably the most desirable lifestyle pickup truck on sale in the Indian market. It is powered by a 2.8-litre 1GD-FTV four-cylinder engine, but in three formats: STD (201.15bhp @ 3,400rpm; 420Nm @ 1,400rpm; 6-speed manual), High (201.15bhp @ 3,400rpm; 420Nm @ 1,400rpm; 6-speed iMT) and High AT (201.15bhp @ 3,400rpm; 500Nm @ 1,600rpm; 6-speed torque converter).
- Ex-showroom price: ₹28.10-35.37 lakh
Jeep Meridian (214mm)
The Jeep Meridian is essentially the three-row sibling of the popular Compass compact crossover. It is offered only with a 2.0-litre Multijet 4-cylinder diesel engine producing 168bhp @ 3,750rpm and 350Nm @ 1,750rpm. This is coupled to either a 6-speed manual or a 9-speed torque converter. Higher automatic trims feature AWD.
- Ex-showroom price: ₹23.33-36.21 lakh
Citroen C5 Aircross (230mm)
Although Citroen India primarily focuses on its India-specific sub-15-lakh product range, the C5 Aircross is still available as a halo CKD product. There is only one powertrain: a 2.0-litre DW10 FC 4-cylinder engine (174.33bhp @ 3,750rpm and 400Nm @ 2,000rpm) mated to an 8-speed torque converter.
- Ex-showroom price: ₹37.32 lakh
Highest Ground Clearance Cars Above 40 Lakh Ex-Showroom
Toyota Fortuner / Fortuner Legender (225mm)
The Toyota Fortuner and the more premium Fortuner Legender are quite overpriced for what they offer, but demand and resale values have remained consistently high. There are collectively three 4-cylinder powertrains: 2.7-litre 2TR-FE NA petrol (163.6bhp @ 5,220rpm; 245Nm @ 4,020rpm; 6-speed torque converter; 2WD), 2.8-litre 1GD-FTV diesel (201.15bhp @ 3,400rpm; 420Nm @ 1,400rpm / 500Nm @ 1,620rpm; 6-speed iMT / 6-speed torque converter; 2WD/4WD) and 2.8-litre Diesel-neoDrive 48V (201.15bhp @ 3,000rpm; 500Nm @ 1,620rpm; 6-speed torque converter; 2WD/4WD). Only the regular Toyota Fortuner is available in petrol format.
- Ex-showroom price: ₹33.65-48.85 lakh / ₹41.54-46.75 lakh
Land Rover Discovery Sport (212mm)
The Land Rover Discovery Sport is one of the best-selling entry-level products in the British manufacturer’s global portfolio. In India, it is offered in two mild-hybrid ‘Dynamic SE’ Ingenium formats: 2.0-litre P250 petrol (247bhp @ 5,500rpm; 365Nm @ 1,300rpm) and 2.0-litre D200 diesel (201bhp @ 3,750rpm; 430Nm @ 1,750rpm). Both sport a 9-speed torque converter AWD powertrain.
- Ex-showroom price: ₹63.37 lakh (both variants)
Vehicles with Industry-leading Ground Clearance
Jeep Wrangler (Unlimited & Rubicon)
Unladen Ground Clearance: 223-237mm
Ex-showroom price: ₹64.08-67.81 lakh
Land Rover Defender (90, 110, 130 & OCTA)
Unladen Ground Clearance: 219-228mm
Ex-showroom price: ₹98 lakh - ₹2.60 crore
Mercedes-Benz G-Glass (450d, AMG G 63 & G 580 EQ)
Unladen Ground Clearance: 241-250mm
Ex-showroom price: ₹2.55-4.30 crore
Toyota Land Cruiser 300 (ZX & GR-S)
Unladen Ground Clearance: 235mm
Ex-showroom price: ₹2.16-2.25 crore
Raised in Demanding Conditions
Unless an off-road focused vehicle, cars really do not need high ground clearance on well-paved roads. In India, the wider mass finds appeal in vehicles that seem bigger and taller than they actually are. Furthermore, bad road conditions have made appropriately designed bodystyles (such as sedans and sporty hatchbacks) step back in favour of compact crossovers that are essentially raised hatchbacks with extra cladding, sold under the moniker ‘compact SUVs’.
FAQs
1. Why is ground clearance important in India?
Indian roads are abundant with speedbreakers, potholes, uneven surfaces and water-logged stretches. Higher ground clearance prevents underbody damage in such cases.
2. What is considered good ground clearance for Indian roads?
A ground clearance of 170-190 mm is adequate for most Indian driving conditions.
3. Is higher ground clearance always better?
Not necessarily. Excessively high ground clearance can affect handling, stability and fuel efficiency at high speeds.
4. How does ground clearance affect fuel efficiency?
Lower ground clearance improves aerodynamics and can slightly improve fuel efficiency on highways (by reducing the engine load caused by drag).
5. Do electric cars have lower ground clearance?
Electric cars typically have moderate ground clearance due to floor-mounted batteries, but modern Indian EVs are designed to counteract this.