Cars with Highest Ground Clearance in India in 2024

The last thing anyone wants to hear is the unmistakable crunch of the underbody scraping over a large, poorly designed speed breaker. For that matter, the thud of bumper meeting rock, or a curb in a parking lot isn’t pleasant either. There are ways to avoid this: slow down to a crawl on speed breakers, be very careful over potholes and while entering or exiting basement parking garages. However, you could still be taken by surprise. It could even lead to expensive underbody damage or catastrophic engine sump damage. The only realistic way to avoid such damage is to choose one of the highest ground clearance cars in India to begin with. 

Other factors also play a part here, such as the stiffness of the suspension setup, wheel/tyre sizing, the overhangs at the front and rear of the car, and even the wheelbase. It can all dictate a car’s ability to handle speed breakers, potholes, unpaved roads and even off-road conditions with ease. 

If ground clearance is a deciding factor for you, our list of the cars with the highest ground clearance in India has them listed in ascending order of clearance across segments, covering hatchbacks, sedans, crossovers and SUVs. We have considered cars with around 180mm of ground clearance and above from each segment, with the additional criteria of being popular all-round choices. 

If you’re interested in real-user reviews of Indian cars with high ground clearance, there’s a community that allows you to do just that. Join the official CARS24 auto community CLUTCH for insights, discussions and more.

List Of 10 Highest Ground Clearance Cars In India

1. Skoda Slavia/Volkswagen Virtus | 179mm Ground Clearance

The Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus are sedans based on the same platform, the modular MQB-AO-IN engineered specifically for India and shared with the Skoda Kushaq/Volkswagen Taigun crossover SUVs. With 179mm of ground clearance, the Slavia and Virtus make the list of highest ground clearance cars with the distinction of having the best ground clearance in the sedan segment as well. Historically, it’s been sedans that have had the highest chances of grounding out so it’s refreshing to see German engineering pay off in this department as well. These German sedans also boast a well-tuned suspension setup that does well to prevent the underbody from ground contact under most situations. 

The Skoda Slavia/Volkswagen Virtus are offered with a choice of 1.0-litre or 1.5-litre turbocharged TSI petrol engines. The smaller capacity engine is a 3-cylinder unit, the larger a 4-cylinder with cylinder deactivation technology in the interest of fuel efficiency. Both engines are available with a 6-speed manual, or 6-speed automatic with the 1.0 TSI, or 7-speed DSG with the 1.5 TSI. 

Skoda Slavia/Volkswagen Virtus Specifications

Skoda Slavia/Volkswagen Virtus Key Features

2. Maruti Suzuki Ignis | 180mm Ground Clearance

Launched in 2017, the Maruti Suzuki Ignis has remained a best-seller for the Indian auto giant since launch. In fact, of all models sold through NEXA dealerships, the Ignis is second in sales to only the Maruti Suzuki Baleno hatchback. The Baleno, though a clear winner in sales, does have 170mm of ground clearance, versus hatchbacks like the Ignis and S-Presso which boast 180mm clearance. Funky styling, easy manoeuvrability, a peppy fuel-efficient engine, and impressive ground clearance still make the Ignis an easy recommendation in the segment. 

The Ignis is available with a 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine with a choice of 5-speed manual or 5-speed AMT gearbox. The Ignis received a subtle facelift in 2020, and has also had its engine recently updated to meet upcoming RDE regulations. 

Maruti Suzuki Ignis Specifications

Maruti Suzuki Ignis Key Features

3. Renault Kwid | 184mm Ground Clearance

The Renault Kwid is coming up on a decade on sale, having been launched in 2015 and has seen a facelift as recently as this year with added safety features, new dual-tone colour options, and upgraded comfort/convenience features. One of the Kwid’s highlights through the years has been its impressive 184mm of ground clearance, making it one of the best ground clearance hatchbacks in India. The Kwid’s 279-litre boot capacity also gives it one of the largest boot spaces in the hatchback segment. Apart from this, the Kwid appeals to the value-conscious buyer first, packing a whole lot of car and features into a sensibly-priced package. 

The Renault Kwid is available with a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder engine. It’s offered with a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT gearbox. The engine has been updated to meet upcoming RDE regulations. 

Renault Kwid Specifications

Renault Kwid Key Features

4. Hyundai Exter | 185mm Ground Clearance

Hyundai’s player in the micro SUV segment truly seems to have been a case of fashionably late to the party. It’s one of the most recent entrants but seems to have captured a decent fan base with its typical Hyundai traits of space, refinement and a long car feature list. While the quirky styling and dimensions (length/width less than Tata Punch, but taller at the same time) may not be to everyone’s taste, it boasts very good space utilisation in the cabin, seating for four adults in comfort, and a large 391-litre boot. All variants except the bottom also get rear AC vents. 

Despite the 15-inch wheels and 175/65-section tyres seeming small for the Exter’s body, it still manages near top-of-segment ground clearance figures. The Hyundai Exter is available with a 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine with the option of factory-fitted CNG also available. This engine is paired with a 5-speed manual or 5-speed AMT gearbox. 

Hyundai Exter Specifications

Hyundai Exter Key Features

5. Tata Punch | 187mm Ground Clearance

The star of the segment, the Tata Punch launched in 2021 is still pulling great numbers in the sales charts. No doubt that styling in line with Tata’s larger SUVs like the Nexon and Harrier play a part here, including the availability of 16-inch alloy wheels and 195/60-section tyres on top variants. The Punch is based on Tata’s new ALFA-ARC platform that also underpins the Altroz hatchback, and boasts a 5-star Global NCAP safety rating and convenience features like cruise control. 

The Tata Punch is only available with a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine with a choice of 5-speed manual or 5-speed AMT gearbox. A CNG variant is also available, with a slightly detuned power output as is usually the case. 

Tata Punch Specifications

Tata Punch Key Features

6. Maruti Suzuki Fronx | 190mm Ground Clearance

Maruti Suzuki’s crossover based on the Baleno hatchback seems to share in that model’s success in the market. Distinctive styling on the Fronx versus the Baleno aside, the former actually gains in the all-important ground clearance stakes: 190mm on the Fronx versus 170mm on the Baleno. The Fronx, while offering remarkably comfortable seating for 5 adults, suffers from a small 308-litre boot. 

The Maruti Suzuki Fronx also offers more powertrain options - a 1.0-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder engine joins the 1.2-litre 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine carried over from the Baleno. The turbo engine offers more power and torque, but importantly offers a more sophisticated 6-speed torque converter automatic than the 5-speed AMT offered with the regular 1.2 engine. Both engines are available with 5-speed manual transmissions as well. 

Maruti Suzuki Fronx Specifications

Maruti Suzuki Fronx Key Features

7. Nissan Magnite/Renault Kiger | 205mm Ground Clearance

The Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger boast near best-in-class ground clearance figures of 205mm, only bettered by the Tata Nexon at 209mm and the Kia Sonet’s 211mm. The reason these two compact SUVs make the list is because they offer exceptional value for money, representing the budget end of the segment. The Sonet represents the best-in-segment but at the more expensive end. With prices starting from Rs 5.99 lakh onwards, the Nissan Magnite/Renault Kiger is the most affordable compact SUV you can buy. Both these crossover-SUVs are also stylish, packed with features and offer space for 4 adults. 

There are two engines on offer — a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine, and a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. Despite the similarities these are different engines and not just in power/torque outputs. A 5-speed manual, 5-speed AMT (with the non-turbo engine) or CVT automatic gearbox (with the turbo engine) are on offer. 

Nissan Magnite/Renault Kiger Specifications

Nissan Magnite/Renault Kiger Key Features

8. Kia Sonet | 211mm Ground Clearance

The Kia Sonet offers much of what makes the larger Seltos so popular, just in a sub-4m long package. The additional benefit of greater ground clearance is a bonus — the Sonet boasts 211mm of clearance versus the Seltos’ 190mm. The Sonet even boasts higher ground clearance than its platform sibling, the Hyundai Venue with 195mm of clearance. All in all, the Sonet is the highest ground clearance compact SUV in India. 

The Kia Sonet is offered with a wide spread of petrol and diesel engines — a 1.2-litre petrol, a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel. A 5-speed manual is available for the regular 1.2, while the 1.0 turbo is offered with a 6-speed IMT or 7-speed DCT. The 1.5 diesel is offered with a 6-speed manual, a 6-speed IMT and a 6-speed torque convertor automatic.

Kia Sonet Specifications

Kia Sonet Key Features

9. Honda Elevate | 220mm Ground Clearance

While Honda is a late entrant to the crossover-SUV segment, the Elevate does bring in mature sensibilities, be it in the styling, practicality, or even features on offer. With 220mm of ground clearance, the Honda Elevate stands out as being the highest ground clearance crossover SUV in India. It boasts very good ride quality too, and is spacious enough to seat four adult passengers in comfort, or five adults on shorter trips.

The Honda Elevate only offers one engine — a 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine, with a 6-speed manual or a CVT automatic as on the Honda City. The inclusion of Level 2 DAS safety adds some value to what is otherwise a no-frills package. 

Honda Elevate Specifications

Honda Elevate Key Features

10. Mahindra Thar | 226mm Ground Clearance

The Mahindra Thar has established itself not just as a lifestyle 4x4 but as a genuine alternative to other compact SUVs and crossovers despite the 3-door design not being the most practical option. Part of that appeal lies in its butch true SUV styling, with the ability to back it up. The Thar’s impressive 226mm ground clearance puts it among the best ground clearance cars in India.That said, the Thar’s ride quality can be unsettling unless you’re of an adventurous spirit. 

The Mahindra Thar is offered with a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, and a 2.2-litre diesel engine, either with 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic gearboxes. Both 4x2 and 4x4 variants are on offer through the range. A 4x2-only 1.5-litre diesel is also on offer. 

Mahindra Thar Specifications

Mahindra Thar Key Features

Conclusion 

If you are going to be travelling regularly over bad roads, or your regular commute has particularly large speed breakers, you may want to prioritise ground clearance in your buying decision. You can’t go wrong with any of the cars on this list, as they represent the highest ground clearance cars in each segment and across varying budgets. There are still vehicles with higher ground clearance but we believe this list is as comprehensive as it can be, at least with regards to the popular choices in each segment. 

FAQs

Q. Which car has 209 mm ground clearance in India?

The Tata Nexon has 209mm ground clearance in India. The Kia Sonet edges it out to the title of highest ground clearance compact SUV with 211mm. 

Q. Which 4x4 has the highest ground clearance?

The 2024 Force Gurkha is a 4x4 with the highest ground clearance of 233mm. Other SUVs like the Land Rover Defender can offer up to 290mm of ground clearance thanks to its air suspension and off-road specific ride height modes. 

Q. How does the ground clearance of a car affect its performance on off-road terrain?

The better a car’s ground clearance, the better its chances are when it comes to tackling off-road terrain, even if it doesn’t offer 4x4 or an all-wheel drive system. This is because if a car scrapes its underbody on off-road terrain, there’s a good chance it could get beached and become stuck. 

Q. What are the advantages of owning a car with high ground clearance in an urban city environment?

The advantages to owning a car with high ground clearance in an urban city environment are two-fold — you don’t have to worry about scraping the underbody even on the tallest and poorly-designed speed breakers. Secondly, with the water logging that some cities experience in the monsoons, there’s a larger safe window to drive across waterlogged areas without issues. 

Q. Does a car with higher ground clearance affect fuel efficiency or mileage? 

While the higher a car is off the ground generally does affect its aerodynamics negatively, thus also affecting fuel efficiency, generally it is minuscule in percentage. Generally speaking, there are no fuel efficiency trade-offs in choosing a car with higher ground clearance. The Honda Elevate with 220mm ground clearance, for example, is one of the highest ground clearance crossover SUVs. It also has underbody protection that extends over half the underbody to provide an aerodynamic advantage and improve fuel economy.