Riding High: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Cars with High Ground Clearance

One of the major aspects you need to take into account when selecting the ideal car for you is ground clearance. Ground clearance is significantly more important, particularly in a country like India where speed bumps and potholes are common. To prevent this, you can use speed limiters to reduce your speed to a crawl, exercise extreme caution when crossing potholes, and use caution when entering or leaving basement parking garages, or you can choose a car with high ground clearance to save you from all the trouble. 

Fortunately, the majority of Indian cars have 180mm or more of ground clearance. To make your car search easier, we’ve put together a list of the top five cars with high ground clearance in India. 

Also read about Best ADAS Cars in India

Top 5 Cars with Highest Ground Clearance

Mahindra Thar

The Mahindra Thar is one of the highest ground clearance cars in India, with a clearance of about 226mm. It is on the list of best off-road vehicles as it is perfect for road excursions. The vehicle is comfy and attractive, and it can handle rough Indian roads with ease. 

Available colors: Red Napoli Black, Aqua Marine, Rage, and Galaxy Grey..

Specifications of the Mahindra Thar

• 226 mm of ground clearance
• Engine: 2.2 or 2 liters
• Type of Fuel: Diesel/Petrol 
• 6-speed automatic/manual transmission 
• Four seats can be accommodated
• Ex-Showroom Cost: between INR 13.6 and INR 16.2 lakhs

If you’re considering a new Thar, dive deeper into the world of the Mahindra Thar Roxx.

The Toyota Fortuner 

Toyota Fortuner is yet another popular SUV deemed as the highest ground clearance cars in India. SUV enthusiasts have been surprised by the car’s exquisite cabin, precise design, and exceptional driving performance. This amazing SUV can handle a variety of difficult terrains. 

Available colors: Silver, Black, White, and Grey.

Specifications of the Toyota Fortuner 

• 220 mm of ground clearance
• 2.7- or 2.8-liter engine 
• Type of Fuel: Diesel/Petrol
• 6-speed manual/automatic transmission
• There is room for seven seats 
• Price range for ex-showroom: Rs. 32.58 lakhs to Rs. 50.49 lakhs

Kia Sonnet 

As a sub-compact SUV, the Kia Sonnet has the best ground clearance (offering an outstanding 211 mm of ground clearance). The Sonnet offers outstanding value for money because of its comfy features, good mileage, and fashionable appearance. 

Available colors: Comes in ten vibrant colors, the most popular being Steel Silver and Glacier White.

Specifications of the Kia Sonet

• 211 mm of ground clearance
• Engine: 1.5/1.2 liters
• Type of Fuel: Diesel/Petrol
• 6-speed manual/automatic transmission
• Five seats are available
• Price range outside the showroom: Rs. 7.49 lakhs to Rs. 13.99 lakhs

Read more about best Kia cars in India

NRG Tata Tiago

The updated new model of the Tata Tiago, called the Tiago NRG makes it to the list of cars with the highest ground clearance. It has a fresh appearance with 181 mm of extra ground clearance in place of the previous 170 mm. This crossover Hybrid Car model combines the ground clearance of an SUV with the practicality of a hatchback. With its feature-rich interior and tough exterior, it is a complete package. 

Available colors: Red, White, Green, and Grey.

Specifications of Tata Tiago NRG

• 181 mm of ground clearance
• One-liter engine
• Type of Fuel: Petrol
• Five-speed manual/AMT transmission
• Five seats are available
• Price range outside the showroom: INR 6.57 lakhs to INR 7.09 lakhs

Bonus Tip: Want to keep your car running smoothly? Don’t miss our guide on maintaining the perfect tyre pressure for better safety and performance

Renault Triber

Along with having a high SUV-like ground clearance of 182 mm, the Renault Triber is among the most reasonably priced MPVs in India.With its top-class category features, ample capacity, and exceptional comfort for its size, the 7-seater is a thoughtfully crafted vehicle. The car, which rivals the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, has rapidly become incredibly popular.

Available colors: Ice Cool White, Moonlight Silver, Moonlight Silver with Black Roof, Metal Mustard, Metal Mustard with Black Roof, Cedar Brown, Cedar Brown with Black Roof, Ice Cool White with Black Roof, Stealth Black, Pearl White with Mystery Black.

Specifications of the Renault Triber: 

• 182 mm of ground clearance
• One-liter engine
• Type of Fuel: Petrol
• Five-speed manual/AMT transmission
• Seven seats are available.
• Price range outside the showroom: INR. 5.92 lakhs to INR 8.51 lakhs

Also Read: Types of Car Engines

Key Takeaway 

You might wish to have ground clearance top priority when making your purchase, especially if you travel frequently on unpaved roads or if there are particularly large speed limiters on your daily commute. These vehicles mentioned above offer some of the highest ground clearance in their respective segments and across various price points, making it easy to choose the perfect one for you.You can easily find more details about your favorite amongst these on OLX! Grab the deal. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Why is ground clearance important in cars?

Ground clearance is the vertical distance between a vehicle’s lowest point and the ground, so it becomes crucial for navigating uneven terrains. Elevated ground clearance allows vehicles to drive through rough and uneven terrains without the risk of underbody damage.

How does a car’s performance in off-road terrain depend on its ground clearance?

In most cases a 4×4 or all-wheel drive is more suited for off-roading, but a normal car with high ground clearance can also be a good choice. The only reason for taking high ground clearance cars for off-roading is that it keeps the car’s underbody safe from the scratches and doesn’t get stuck on uneven roads easily.

In an urban setting, what are the benefits of having a car with a high ground clearance?

Owning a car with high ground clearance in an urban setting has two benefits: even with the highest and worst-designed speed breakers, you will not have to worry about scratching the underbody. Second, there is a longer window of time during which driving in waterlogged areas is safe due to the water logging that certain towns encounter during the monsoon season.

Does a car’s mileage or fuel economy change with its ground clearance? 

Generally, selecting a car with more ground clearance does not result in any trade-offs in terms of fuel efficiency. Fuel efficiency depends on various factors such as engine efficiency, transmission design, and tire design. But if a car features underbody protection that covers half of the underbody then it increases fuel efficiency and gives it an aerodynamic edge. 

Which ground clearance is better?

For Indian roads, which are infamous for their unpredictable terrain and massive speed breakers, a ground clearance of 190 mm or higher is ideal.