- Ground Clearance is one of the most sought-after measurements in SUVs.
- High-ground clearance SUVs are the need of the hour, taking into consideration the Indian road conditions.
- Here are the top 10 SUVs with the highest ground clearance in India.
Indian roads make SUVs feel at home. Some of the treacherous stretches that we cross to get to the office, have often made us wonder about our car choices. Big, hunky-dory SUVs are surely eye-catching and their capability to trade any terrain does make them the practical alternative for our roads. Precisely why the above forms a fraction of the reason behind the increase in SUV sales. And to compliment that, automotive manufacturers have also flooded the market with several SUVs available in different segments, from compact to mid-size to full-scale high-end SUVs. Irrespective of the price range, if you want an SUV that lets you sit higher on the ground, and also helps you tower across the traffic ahead, below here is the list of the Top 10 Highest Ground Clearance SUVs in India.
Also Read: 10 Highest Ground Clearance Hatchback Cars in India
Isuzu MU-X: Ground Clearance - 230 mm
The Isuzu MU-X is quite a hunky-dory SUV that we all keep talking about. This three-row SUV is based on the same body-on-frame chassis that its pick-up counterpart, the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross is based on. The BS6-compliant D-Max MU-X is priced between Rs. 35-Rs. 37.90 lakh (ex-showroom). It comes equipped with a 1.9-litre diesel engine that produces 163 Ps and 360 Nm of torque, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Available in both 4X2 and 4X4 variants, some of the top features include a 6-way power-adjustable drivers seat, a 7-inch infotainment system, hill descent control, etc.
Mahindra Thar: Ground Clearance - 226 mm
Next, on our list of the highest ground clearance SUVs in India is the modern-looking new-gen Mahindra Thar SUV. It comes with both soft-top as well as hard-top options and prices start from Rs. 13.59 lakh, topping out at Rs. 16.29 lakh (ex-showroom). The lifestyle vehicle is offered with the option of both diesel and petrol powertrain, mated to the choice of a manual and an automatic gearbox. The Thar sits on a rugged body-on-frame platform giving it the water-wading ability of 650 mm, alongside 226 mm ground clearance.
Also Read: Mahindra Thar Gets Feature Revision To Its Off-Road Kit
Toyota Fortuner: Ground Clearance - 225 mm
The full-size, seven-seater Toyota Fortuner is one proper reckoner in this list. Not only has it been a popular SUV in our market, but its stance and design have also evolved to make it look quite formidable. Prices for Fortuner start from Rs. 32.59 lakh and go all the way up to Rs. 50.34 lakh. It is available with both petrol and diesel engines, with MT and AT options as well. The new Toyota Fortuner Legender takes things a notch higher with a refined interior and an even higher price tag.
Kia Sonet: Ground Clearance - 211 mm
Now, this is one of the most affordable models on our list of highest ground clearance cars in India. Launched in September 2020, the Kia Sonet sub-compact SUV boasts a 211 mm ground clearance. Available with three engines and five transmission options, it competes against the likes of the Vitara Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Ford EcoSport, Tata Nexon, and the Mahindra XUV300 to name a few. The Kia Sonet is based on the Hyundai K-platform, the K2 platform to be more specific.
Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder: Ground Clearance- 210 mm
Clubbed together due to the fact that both SUVs sit on the same platform and use the same set of powertrain options along with a host of other identical equipment. Manufactured together at Toyota's Bidadi plant, both the mid-size SUVs sport an identical ground clearance of 210 mm. Priced in an almost similar bracket, the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder come with a ground clearance of 210 mm. The price range of the Grand Vitara starts from Rs. 10.45 lakh and extends to Rs 19.65 lakh (ex-showroom), while its Toyota twin will set you back anywhere between Rs. 10.48 lakh to Rs. 18.99 lakh (ex-showroom).
Nissan Kicks: Ground Clearance - 210 mm
The Nissan Kicks is based on Dacias MO/Logan platform and its the same platform that underpinned the now-discontinued Renault Duster. In fact, the Kicks also shared the same engine with the Duster. Powering the mid-size SUV is a 1.5-litre H4K petrol engine that produces 105 Ps and 142 Nm of torque. A 1.3 HR13DDT petrol engine is also on offer with power output rated at 156 bhp and 254 Nm of peak torque. The 210 mm of ground clearance gives helps it glide over the worth of roads.
Also Read: Affordable 4WD/AWD SUVs Under Rs. 30 Lakh In India
Tata Nexon: Ground Clearance - 209 mm
The best-selling SUV in the Indian market, the Tata Nexon sports a ground clearance of 209 mm. Available in multiple powertrain options and an exhaustive variant line-up, its price ranges from Rs. 7.70 lakh to Rs. 14.18 lakh (ex-showroom). Apart from this, Tata Nexon is one of the safest SUVs available in India as it scored 5 stars in the GNCAP crash test rating.
Force Gurkha: Ground Clearance - 205 mm
The latest Force Gurkha is now more modern than before. Starting with its LED headlights, rounded edges, forward-rowed 4-seater, and a new 7-inch infotainment touchscreen system that supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Modern safety equipment like dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, and rear parking sensors are also available with the Force Gurkha. Powering the capable off-roader is a 2.6-litre diesel engine putting out 90 bhp and 250 Nm of peak torque, paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox and 4X4 system.
Tata Harrier and Safari: Ground Clearance- 205 mm
The Tata twins sitting on the OMEGA-Arc are the hot-selling models in Tata Motor's line-up. Both SUVs essentially utilize the same components right from the powertrain, design language, features etc. However, the major difference lies in the fact that the Harrier is a 5-seater, while the Safari is a 7-seater SUV with an extended track to accommodate the extra pair of seats. The 205 mm of ground clearance is constant on both SUVs along with the 2.0-litre MultiJet diesel engine putting out 170 bhp and 350 Nm of peak torque.
Renault Kiger and Nissan Magnite: Ground Clearance- 205 mm
Another pair of SUVs that sit quite high are the Renault Kiger and Nissan Magnite. The sub-compact SUVs utilize the same CMF-A+ platform and are manufactured together at Renault-Nissan Chennai-based manufacturing facility. The ground clearance numbers of these SUVs stand at 205 mm and are powered by the same powertrain configuration i.e. a 1.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol and 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine.
Also Read: Driving the Nissan Magnite To Umling La Pass : Highest Motorable Road
Verdict: High-ground clearance is what the SUVs stand for and all thanks to the uncertain road condition in our country, the demand for these high-ground clearance SUVs has soared through the roof. The high ground clearance of SUVs is helpful in tackling the broken roads of urban jungles while being a boon for your next weekend trip. However, besides the ground clearance, customers should look out for a lot of other important factors while buying a new SUV such as powertrain, features, dimensions, body type and more.
So, which one of the Highest Ground Clearance SUVs in India would you go for? Let us know in the comment section or else you can join our 91Wheels Telegram and 91Wheels Whatsapp group to know more about vehicles, conduct discussions on your favourite ride, and much more! Also, you can subscribe to our Youtube channel for video content on the latest from the world of cars and motorcycles.
