SUVs with the Most Ground Clearance for 2023
These SUVs complement their upright seating position with an extra helping of ground clearance.
Enough ground clearance can make the difference between scraping and damaging a vehicle's underbody on tough terrain and getting away unscathed. While there's no official process for measurements, ground clearance is the distance from a flat surface to a vehicle's lowest-hanging part. Assume the number accounts for unladen weight with all fluids and the tires filled to the recommended cold pressure. Also, never assume that because your SUV or crossover has a high clearance that you'll be able to drive over any obstacle in your path. Safely off-roading requires generous approach, breakover, and departure angles—and a proper driving line, ideally with a spotter—to ensure a (mostly) scuff-free experience.
Rivian R1S: Up to 14.9 inches
Rivian is the reigning clearance champ. With its four air springs benching 7000 pounds and pushed to its highest height, the three-row R1S towers nearly 15 inches off the ground. Nothing else comes near it. The streamlined underbody, independent front and rear suspension, and compact drive motors are packed so tightly into the chassis that the R1S can allow more clearance than a truck with portal axles. But to get this high, you'll have to wait months if not a whole year for delivery.
Mercedes G-class: Up to 13.8 inches
Though the standard Mercedes-Benz G550 packs 9.5 inches of ground clearance, it's the AMG-badged G63 4x4² that offers the most ground clearance in the G-class model line. Fit with chunky rubber and portal axles, the twin-turbo V-8 G63 4x4² puts 13.8 inches of atmosphere between its lowest hanging bits and the ground below.
Ford Bronco: Up to 13.1 inches
The run-of-the-mill 2023 Ford Bronco offers as little as 8.3 inches of ground clearance and as much as 11.6 inches. If that's not enough for you, though, then the 418-hp Bronco Raptor's 13.1 inches of ground clearance ought to do the trick. With 37-inch BFGoodrich tires and extra-long Fox shocks, the Bronco Raptor is ready to put the off-road SUV world on notice. Suspension height sensors and axles that are nearly nine inches wider than those of the base Bronco prevent the Raptor from tipping over.
Jeep Wrangler: Up to 12.9 inches
Those not satisfied with the standard 2023 Jeep Wrangler's 9.4 inches of ground clearance will be happy to know Jeep offers its most off-road-oriented model in a variety of trims and packages, a number of which put a few extra inches between the SUV's underbody and the ground below. Netting the most ground clearance means fitting your four-door Wrangler Willys or Rubicon with the Xtreme Recon package. Doing so brings a total of 12.9 inches of ground clearance to the Wrangler. (The package is also available on the V-8 Rubicon 392, but the big engine drags ground clearance down to 11.1 inches.)
Land Rover Range Rover: Up to 11.6 inches
Land Rover Range Rover owners may rarely touch their SUV's Terrain Select dial, but those that do will find it allows the British brand's flagship SUV to raise its body up enough to net it a teetering 11.6 inches of ground clearance—three inches higher than normal. And damn, do these Posh Spice Rovers handle the rough stuff. We crossed the Continental Divide in a fleet of them with nothing more than a punctured tire. For all the posturing these six-figure SUVs deliver, they reward serious off-roaders with genuine capability.
Land Rover Defender: Up to 11.5 inches
Each of the three Land Rover Defender variants (90, 110, 130) can raise from 8.5 to 11.5 inches when equipped with air suspension. Base Defender 90 and 110 trims come with coil springs and sport 8.9 inches of ground clearance.
Land Rover Discovery: Up to 11.1 inches
The Land Rover Discovery is nearly invisible on U.S. roads. While its soft contours are less appealing to the eye than its similarly sized Defender kin, the Disco is nearly as capable. Still, the Defender is likely the Land Rover to go with if off-road capability is priority one, as evidenced by the additional 0.4 inch of ground clearance it offers. Unlike the Defender, though, the Discovery comes standard with an air suspension, allowing every variant of this three-row SUV to rise to its tip toes at the push of a button.
Land Rover Range Rover Sport: Up to 11.1 inches
The smaller Land Rover Range Rover Sport can't quite compete with the bigger Range Rover's maximum available ground clearance. That said, its air suspension system affords it up to 11.1 inches of space between its underside and the ground below.
Jeep Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L: Up to 10.9 inches
The prices of the two-row Jeep Grand Cherokee and three-row Grand Cherokee L can easily enter Land Rover territory in luxed-out Overland and Summit Reserve trims. That said, these mid-size Jeep SUV's five-height air suspensions make the price (and the cushioned ride) a little easier to swallow. When put in their off-road modes, these air-spring-equipped Grand Cherokees offer up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance. Opt for a Grand Cherokee with the standard coil springs, and this figure maxes out at around 8.5 inches depending on model and trim.
Ford Expedition: Up to 10.6 inches
With a minimum of 9.7 inches of ground clearance, the full-size Ford Expedition's already plenty capable of clearing small obstacles. Opt for the Timberline trim, though, and that sum jumps to 10.6 inches. Limited to the standard wheelbase model, the Timberline guise doesn't skimp on off-road capability, either. That said, the SUV's large size may limit it somewhat on narrower trails.
SUVs with the Most Ground Clearance for 2023
- Rivian R1S: Up to 14.9 inches
- Mercedes G-class: Up to 13.8 inches
- Ford Bronco: Up to 13.1 inches
- Jeep Wrangler: Up to 12.9 inches
- Land Rover Range Rover: Up to 11.6 inches
- Land Rover Defender: Up to 11.5 inches
- Land Rover Discovery: Up to 11.1 inches
- Land Rover Range Rover Sport: Up to 11.1 inches
- Jeep Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L: Up to 10.9 inches
- Ford Expedition: Up to 10.6 inches
Clifford Atiyeh is a reporter and photographer for Car and Driver, specializing in business, government, and litigation news. He is president of the New England Motor Press Association and committed to saving both manuals and old Volvos.
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