10 Crossovers With the Best Ground Clearance

Conventional wisdom used to be that car-based unibody vehicles, which we now call “crossovers,” would not be strong enough to withstand the demands of off-roading. Not only that, without a frame, crossovers sat too close to the ground, meaning that even moderate obstacles would hang them up or damage their undercarriages. Advances in engineering, materials, and suspension design have changed that perception, and now some crossovers are found among the most capable off-road vehicles on the road, right alongside traditional SUVs.

One of the key attributes of a capable off-roader is ground clearance — the maximum height of an obstacle that can be cleared by the lowest part of a vehicle. To identify the 10 crossovers with the best ground clearance, we used the manufacturers' specification sheets for the tallest version of their crossovers, factoring in any height-adjustable air suspensions. Here are the leaders that we found. 

Not surprisingly, our list starts with a run of Subaru crossovers. With a heritage of off-roading and rally racing, Subaru includes its Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system as standard equipment on nearly every current model. The smallest crossover in the brand's lineup, the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek, comes up with a healthy 8.7 inches of ground clearance. Its compact overall length (175.8 inches), short wheelbase (104.9 inches), and narrow track (61.0 inches front/61.1 inches rear) make it very maneuverable in tight situations, like trails with switchbacks.

That same maneuverability will come in handy in parking lots and garages, where the Crosstrek’s tidy dimensions make the most of small spaces, while its ample ground clearance conquers speed bumps and road debris. Starting at $21,795, the Crosstrek is a lot of crossover for the money.

The Forester has evolved over the years from an oddly proportioned tall wagon that looked like it was auditioning to be the next Popemobile to a taller, more elegant crossover that is a favorite in the corners of the United States where the hills get big and the weather gets bad. That’s when the Forester’s 8.7 inches of ground clearance really come in handy, along with standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.

The top-of-the-line 2.0XT models come with a 2.0-liter turbocharged, horizontally opposed Boxer four-cylinder engine that’s tuned to produce 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The Boxer setup helps to keep Forester’s center of gravity low, a big handling advantage on- or off-road. A base Forester 2.5i starts at $22,795, while the loaded 2.0XT Touring starts at $36,090 — leaving a variety of Forester models in between to suit different budgets and needs.

Starting at $25,895 and going up to $38,690, the 2018 Subaru Outback matches its Crosstrek and Forester stablemates with 8.7 inches of ground clearance and standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. The Outback has a dual nature. Put it on the highway and the Outback is a serene cruiser, boasting a very quiet interior that is remarkably undisturbed by wind and road noise. Point it toward a dirt road, and it positively romps, using technologies like vehicle dynamics control, traction control, and active torque vectoring to keep things stable and heading in their intended direction.

Engage the standard X-Mode, and the system optimizes engine output and transmission ratio to provide the best traction on slippery surfaces. That way, when you see an obstacle that’s too tall for your 8.7 inches of ground clearance, you’ve got the wherewithal to avoid it.

Jeep is all about off-roading. Thankfully, the brand takes its reputation seriously, making sure that each new model lives up to the Jeep standard. Starting at $33,220, the 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk is the most off-road capable trim level of the compact crossover, thanks to standard all-wheel drive, a locking rear differential, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

A 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine is standard on the base Cherokee, but the Trailhawk upgrades to a 3.2-liter V6 engine. The fuel economy penalty is mild, while the capability of the bigger engine will be greatly appreciated on-road and off-road alike. When you’re using up all of that ground clearance on rugged terrain, the Trailhawk’s standard Selec-Speed Crawl Control will help keep you moving forward safely.

Mazda’s biggest crossover vehicle, the three-row 2018 CX-9, also boasts the brand’s tallest standard ground clearance at a surprising 8.8 inches. Both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive examples come with this generous specification, which will come in handy in inclement climates.

Front-engine front-wheel drive vehicles can perform remarkably well in the snow and on slippery surfaces, especially when they’re equipped with torque vectoring systems like the CX-9’s. By subtly reducing engine output on corner entry, the CX-9 shifts its weight to the front wheels, giving greater grip and control. Starting at $32,130 for a Sport front-wheel drive vehicle and going up to $44,315 for a Signature all-wheel drive model, the CX-9 is a driver’s crossover for all seasons.

Until the arrival of the Q8 next year, the 2018 Audi Q7 is Audi’s biggest crossover vehicle, and it comes with a standard power-folding third-row seat and panoramic sunroof, making it a great sightseeing vehicle for the whole family. When equipped with an optional adaptive chassis package ($4,000), the Q7 gains four-wheel steering and can achieve 9.6 inches of ground clearance by raising its air suspension.

Each Q7 comes with Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system as standard equipment, a system that lets you take advantage of all that ground clearance to achieve very capable off-road performance. The Q7’s luxury appointments assure that you won’t be roughing it while conquering rugged terrain. Prices start at $49,900 for Premium 2.0 TFSI models, and go up to $65,400 for Prestige Plus 3.0 TFSI examples.

The latest addition to the Range Rover family, the 2018 Land Rover Range Rover Velar slots between the compact Evoque and mid-size Range Rover Sport. Like all Land Rover vehicles, the Velar comes with a suite of sophisticated technologies and off-road capabilities — including a tall 9.9 inches of ground clearance when equipped with an air suspension (only on the supercharged version).

The Velar can be ordered with a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine, a 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine, or a 3.0-liter supercharged gasoline engine — the best choice for a combination of on-road and off-road prowess. Prices start at $49,900 for the base Velar, and go up to $89,300 for the full-zoot First Edition. All Velar models come with all-wheel drive and Land Rover’s Terrain Response system, which matches engine, transmission, throttle, and suspension behavior to surface conditions.

The Grand Cherokee is Jeep’s flagship, and the 2018 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk is the model’s high-water mark for off-road performance. With a standard Quadra-Lift Air Suspension, Trailhawk has a maximum ground clearance of 10.8 inches. Throw in just about every off-road technology that Jeep has in its toolbox, and you’ve got a recipe for tremendous capability.

All-wheel drive with Selec-Terrain System dials in the ideal parameters for snow, sand, rocks, and slick surfaces with ease. The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk starts at $43,595 with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, or you can choose to upgrade to a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 gasoline engine or 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine. Whichever you select, you’ll get an eight-speed automatic transmission and cool Trailhawk badging to let everyone know that you can conquer any terrain.

The Discovery is the latest in a long line of Land Rover vehicles that are famous the world over for their off-road prowess. The Discovery replaced the LR4 in Land Rover’s lineup in 2017, bringing a completely new exterior design and sharing a platform with the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models. The 2018 Discovery makes extensive use of aluminum in its chassis and body, making it lighter and more rigid than previous models.

When equipped with its optional air suspension, the Discovery has a maximum of 11.1 inches of ground clearance. Combined with standard all-wheel drive and the Terrain Response system, the Discovery is a luxury vehicle that can go anywhere in style. Five-passenger seating is standard, and a third-row seat is also available. Prices start at $52,090 for SE models with a 3.0-liter supercharged gasoline V6, and $54,090 for SE models with a 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel V6.

When the Queen of England needs ground clearance, she drives a Range Rover. Standard air suspension allows for a maximum of 11.7 inches of ground clearance, and impressive levels of luxury ensure a royal level of comfort and convenience. Few vehicles on the planet approach the 2018 Land Rover Range Rover’s standards of appearance, quality, and capability, whether traversing the roadways between castles or exploring the Welsh countryside and meeting the commoners.

Prices for the Range Rover start at $87,350 with a 3.0-liter supercharged gasoline V6 and go up to $207,900 with a 5.0-liter supercharged gasoline V8 in SVAutobiography trim. You can spend more, if you wish, by specifying bespoke features, options, and colors to make your Range Rover reflect your unique style, taste, and royal pedigree.