Which off-roader has the most ground clearance? It matters, at least if you’re planning to tackle serious terrain. An extra half-inch under your rig could be the difference between making it through or finding another way around. Or between making it and leaving your exhaust system on the ground behind you.
But there are hundreds of trucks and SUVs on the market right now. All with different suspension types, tire sizes, and then, because they’re so popular right now, the off-road-intended variants. Some have the clearance to back up their badge, but others have all-terrain badges that don’t mean anything at all.
Here, I separate the high and the low to find the winners and losers in the ground clearance wars. First, let’s dive into the 10 2025 models with the most ground clearance.
Then, let’s highlight a few that just don’t stack up, delivering disappointing figures where you wouldn’t have expected to find them.
10 Highest Ground Clearance 2025 Vehicles
10. Ram 1500 RHO (11.8″)
The Ram 1500 RHO is the replacement for Ram’s beloved TRX model. It might have two fewer cylinders and a few hundred fewer horses under the hood, but it still has all of the good off-road parts. Those include Bilstein adaptive dampers, frame reinforcements, and 35-inch tires.
It still has an impressive 540 horsepower, and it still has a 2-inch lift with 14 inches of rear suspension travel. And this Ram can still drive over a rock that’s about 11.8 inches tall.
9. Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison/GMC Canyon AT4X AEV (12.2″)
The smallest of GM’s trucks has no shortage of off-road capability, especially in the top ZR2 Bison/AT4X AEV forms. Each of these trucks gets a 4.5-inch lift to bring the clearance up to 12.2 inches.
They have Multimatic’s magic DSSV shocks and 35-inch tires. They also come with locking differentials at both axles.
To help make sure you can use the clearance, both trucks have AEV bumpers that let you get up close and personal before dinging either end. And, if it turns out you needed 12.3 inches of clearance, the boron steel skid plates should help save your truck.
8. Land Rover Defender Octa (12.7″)
Land Rover’s Defender Octa is a beast. The twin-turbo V8’s 626 horsepower makes it the most powerful Defender ever, and it’s one of the most powerful gas models on this list.
The Defender Octa has a 6D Dynamics air suspension with interlinked shocks instead of anti-roll bars and suspension height adjustment. Its 33-inch tires, the ability to wade through more than 3 feet of water, and more wheel articulation than other Defender models all help make it clear that this Defender will bash through nearly anything. If you don’t mind the price tag, that is, which starts in the mid-$150K range.
7. Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon X (12.9″)
Every Jeep Wrangler has loads of ground clearance, but which one has the most?
It’s no surprise it’s the Rubicon, but it might surprise you that it’s the four-door Unlimited model that maxes out the difference between you and the ground. The two-door has a still impressive 12.6 inches, and the 392 just 11.1.
To get the most, you need to get a Rubicon X or a standard Rubicon fitted with the Xtreme 35 tire package. Its BFG T/A KO2 all-terrain tires help get you that extra reach.
All Rubicon models come with 4×4 with a low-range transfer case. A 4.0:1 ratio is standard, with 2.72 on the 392. They also have Dana 44 axles with up to a 4.88:1 ratio available. Locking rear differentials and a front sway bar disconnect are also part of the equation.
5 (Tie). Ford F-150 Raptor R (13.1″)
Ford’s V8 Raptor is the ultimate Blue Oval off-roader. Sure, it has a 720-horsepower supercharged 5.2L V8, but that’s not what makes it so capable. What makes it so capable are its 13.5 inches of front and 14 inches of rear suspension travel, along with Fox Dual Live Valve adaptive shocks. Its 37-inch tires certainly don’t hurt, either.
This Ford is big, mean, and loud. And, while it leaves plenty of space underneath when you’re stopped, it can leave even more under it if you jump it — which it handles impressively well.
5 (Tie). Ford Bronco Raptor (13.1″)
The other Raptor might be a lot smaller on the outside and have a lot less power under the hood, but it is no less capable for it. It even has exactly the same ground clearance, partly because it also has 37-inch tires.
Bronco Raptor’s HOSS 4.0 suspension with Fox Live Valve tech lets it soak up almost anything along the trail. It has more than a foot of suspension travel at both ends and seven terrain modes, including jump-ready Baja — and it can ford more than 3 feet of water.
Though the basic Bronco almost made the disappointment side of this list. The base model with standard tires only has 8.3 inches of clearance, which is slightly less than a Nissan Kicks.
4. Ram 2500 Power Wagon (14.2″)
Ram’s Power Wagon is an unusual beast. It’s no longer the only HD off-roader, but it is the first and the most capable off-road.
The Power Wagon comes with electronic lockers front and rear. It also has a special rear suspension for better articulation and extra travel with the lift. Its 33-inch tires and a Warn 12,000-pound winch all help complete the package.
Despite being an HD truck, its towing and payload are disappointing at 10,530 pounds and 1,570 pounds, respectively. That’s half the payload of a non-power Wagon Ram 2500 and only 160 pounds more than a Hyundai Santa Cruz.
3. Rivian R1T/R1S (14.9″)
From here on out, the list is electric vehicles. That might be a surprise, but there’s something about electric models that lets automakers really pull out all the stops and throw all the tech they can at a vehicle.
The Rivian R1T pickup and R1S SUV have huge ground clearance thanks to their air suspension systems and flat bottoms. The best part of an air suspension is that you can also lower it, and these vehicles will drop to 7.9 inches, which can help increase range on the highway and make it so you don’t need a stepladder to get out.
With up to four motors, you get excellent off-road torque control as well as massive amounts of power and torque. All-terrain tires are available if you really want to put this truck through its paces.
2. GMC Hummer EV (15.9″)
Hummer has always been about extreme, and the new electric SUV and pickup are no different.
Four-wheel Crabwalk steering, 35-inch MT tires, front and rear virtual locking differentials, and 18 camera views to let you see the whole trail, including underneath you. The Hummer EV’s air suspension comes with an Extract mode that raises the height a shocking 6 inches, giving you 15.9 inches under the vehicle.
There’s just one problem with that Extract mode: You can only use it up to 12 mph. Above that, the vehicle drops to Maximum Ground Clearance mode. That one gives you 11.9 inches and works up to 30 mph. From there, at full speed, you get around 11 inches of clearance. Still, it’s nice to have when you need it.
1. Tesla Cybertruck (16″)
It shouldn’t be much of a surprise that the Cybertruck tops this list. The most controversial truck ever built is a product made entirely of extremes. Three electric motors, active air suspension, and rear-wheel steering.
The company’s CEO claimed it was bulletproof and could work as a boat for a while. Even if those plans didn’t pan out, the Cybertruck is an attention-getter in nearly every way possible.
Like the Hummers, this ground clearance is only available at low speeds — in this case, up to 10 mph. Above that speed, it has 14 inches, which is still enough to put the Tesla truck in fifth on this list of trucks and SUVs with the most ground clearance.
The Highest Ground Clearance Losers
When it comes to SUVs and trucks, you expect a certain amount of ground clearance. Nothing close to the best on the list, but enough to clear things like parking curbs.
Sure, some models can get away with less, like the Mercedes-AMG GLA45 that has just 4.6 inches. Here are the ones that can’t — or at least shouldn’t.
Volkswagen Atlas Peak Edition (6.3″)
The Volkswagen Atlas Peak Edition is VW’s rugged model. It has all-terrain tires and more cladding and badges to make it look tough. The total ground clearance, though, is just 6.3 inches — half an inch less than a Kia Soul.
Jeep Wagoneer S (6.4″)
Every Jeep is an off-roader, at least that’s what the automaker wants us to think. Even its tiny (and now departed) Renegade offered 8.7 inches of clearance.
But the new electric Wagoneer S is a disappointment. It has just 6.4 inches of ground clearance, which is even worse on this EV since instead of scraping the floor or exhaust, you’ll scrape the expensive battery pack. We can’t believe this Jeep has less ground clearance than a front-drive Hyundai Venue.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT (7.0″)
Hyundai’s XRT badge is the one it gives to models it wants you to take off-road. Not very far off-road, evidently, since its Palisade and Tucson XRT models ride at the same height as their “normal” counterparts.
The electric Ioniq 5 XRT does get a suspension lift — just under 1 inch, giving it 7.0 inches of clearance. Less than a Volvo EX30, this is an EV that doesn’t even pretend that it wants to go off-roading.
Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek (7.7″)
Nissan is all about the Pathfinder’s ruggedness and ability to handle rough terrain. It boasts a 6,000-pound towing capacity and is styled to look like there’s a truck underneath.
But in Rock Creek form with a “lifted off-road tuned suspension” and all-terrain tires, it still has only 7.7 inches between you and the ground. That’s less than the pavement princess Mazda CX-5 and Maserati Grecale models.
Final Ground Clearance Thoughts
Look, I know that ground clearance isn’t the be-all and end-all of off-road capability. Driver skill can account for it, if you’re careful. But it is important.
It’s the biggest reason you’d take a Subaru Outback off-pavement and not a Legacy. Plus, it’s fun to brag about, and having all of the SUVs and trucks with the best ground clearance in one place makes that easier for you.
Ground Clearance FAQs
Editor’s note: GearJunkie editors expanded this article in 2025 with the information below for those wanting more in-depth details about ground clearance.
Why does ground clearance matter off-road?
Ground clearance is crucial because it determines how easily your vehicle can navigate over obstacles like rocks, tree stumps, ruts, or deep snow without scraping or damaging the undercarriage. It gives your vehicle the extra height needed to tackle rugged trails safely and confidently.
Without sufficient clearance, you risk getting stuck or causing costly damage to vital components like the oil pan, exhaust system, or fuel tank.
What’s the difference between static and dynamic clearance specs?
Static ground clearance is the fixed measurement from the lowest point of the vehicle to the ground when the vehicle is sitting still in its normal drive mode.
Dynamic clearance, on the other hand, refers to adjustable settings, like air suspension systems that can raise the chassis several inches higher when extra clearance is needed off-road. This flexibility allows drivers to enjoy better ride comfort on paved roads while still having the capability to lift their vehicle when tackling serious obstacles.
Do EVs offer any advantage in ground clearance?
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular in the off-road world because most use flat battery packs under the cabin. Along with independent suspension and air suspension, the layout offers impressive ground clearance capabilities. It also allows the vehicle to be low to the ground for optimal aerodynamics and handling performance on-road.
How do ground clearance and approach/departure angles work together?
Ground clearance alone doesn’t tell the whole story of obstacle avoidance. It works hand in hand with approach, breakover, and departure angles.
The approach angle shows how steep an incline you can drive up without the front bumper hitting the ground. The departure angle measures the steepness of an obstacle you can descend without the rear bumper scraping. Breakover angle is about the vehicle’s ability to crest a peak without the underbody getting hung up.
Together, these specs help you understand the true off-road capability beyond just how “tall” the vehicle rides.
Is more always better when it comes to ground clearance?
While having more ground clearance is useful for rough terrain, more isn’t always better for everyday driving. A higher ride height raises a vehicle’s center of gravity, which greatly affects on-road handling dynamics.
Are mainstream, adventure-oriented crossovers actually off-road capable?
Not every driver needs a hardcore off-road rig. Many adventure-oriented crossovers offer respectable ground clearance and basic off-road features. For example, the Ford Expedition Tremor offers around 10.6 inches, making it plenty capable for forest roads or beach driving. Even the Honda Passport TrailSport now offers about 8.3 inches and extra underbody protection, perfect for camping trips and mild trail work.
Can I upgrade the clearance on any vehicle?
Yes, you can increase your vehicle’s ground clearance with aftermarket lift kits, larger off-road tires, and upgraded suspension components. However, it’s important to know that these upgrades can change your vehicle’s ride quality, handling, and sometimes even void the factory warranty.
It’s always wise to start with a platform that’s designed for off-roading if you plan to go beyond occasional dirt roads. Factory off-road packages often include reinforced underbodies, improved suspension geometry, and protective skid plates to make the lift more practical and reliable.
How do I interpret these specs when shopping for an off-road vehicle?
When you’re comparing vehicles, don’t focus solely on the raw ground clearance number. Check whether the vehicle has adjustable suspension or special off-road modes that raise the ride height. Take a look at the approach, breakover, and departure angles, especially if you plan to tackle steep hills or deep ruts.
Also, consider the tires, drivetrain, and underbody protection that come with the vehicle. A well-rounded package will help you handle obstacles with more confidence and less worry about damage.
How do I choose the right ground clearance for my lifestyle?
The best ground clearance for your vehicle really depends on how you plan to use it. If you’re sticking mostly to city streets with the occasional gravel road or campsite, a crossover with moderate clearance and all-wheel drive might be all you need.
If you plan to hit rocky trails, deep snow, or remote backcountry, a truck or SUV with 10 inches or more of clearance and advanced off-road features like low-range gearing, locking differentials, and skid plates is worth considering.
Matching your vehicle to your real-world adventures will keep you safe, protect your vehicle investment, and make your trips far more enjoyable.
