Highest Ground Clearance Cars in India 2023

Unfortunately, India is not a country which boasts of the smoothest tarmac in the world. In fact, it is far from it. Indian roads can vary from smooth tarmac to non-existent tarmac and everything that you can imagine in between. Potholes, craters, patches and massive speed bumps are everywhere, and it is no secret that our roads demand cars that can endure a beating. This is also the primary reason for the country’s omnipresent obsession towards subcompact and compact SUVs that are setting the sales charts on fire. 

Also Read – Compact Suv In India

Cars with the highest ground clearance will probably be the de facto choice for someone looking to buy a car that can handle our roads without breaking into a sweat. More ground clearance can add to the peace of mind when the going gets tough and you encounter speed bumps and whatnot that Indian roads hold in stock for us. More ground clearance also translates to higher seating position and better ingress and egress. Furthermore, more ground clearance aids off-roading capabilities and is more like a mandatory requirement for an SUV that is intended to go off-road. 

Luckily, there are many cars with the highest ground clearance in India and here are some of those that cost under Rs 20 Lakh. Considering how India loves SUVs, there are a plethora of them under the Rs 20 lakh budget. So in an attempt to make this list interesting and useful for someone looking at different body styles with good ground clearance, we have mixed up the list by including SUVs, MUVs, hatchbacks and sedans.

List of Best Ground Clearance Cars in India

Mahindra Thar – 226mm

Looking for the car with the best ground clearance in India under a budget of Rs 20 lakhs? Look no further than the mighty Mahindra Thar which also happens to be the finest car to go off-road and stride over our bad Indian roads like it’s nothing. The refreshed Thar is now a brilliant SUV that also brings practicality to the table along with its new avatar. It is powered by a 2.0-litre diesel and a petrol engine and is priced between Rs 13.59 – 16.29 Lakh (ex-showroom).

Mahindra Thar Specifications

• Engine: 2.0-litre petrol, 2.2-litre diesel
• Transmission: 6-speed manual/automatic
• Fuel Type: Petrol/diesel
• Airbags: 2 
• Body Type: SUV

Also Read – Manual vs Automatic Transmission

Mahindra Thar Key Features

• Tyre pressure monitoring system
• All-terrain suspension system
• 4WD system

Kia Sonet – 211mm

Out of all the cars on this list, the most surprising is the Kia Sonet with an impressive ground clearance of 211mm making it one of the highest ground clearance cars in India. The Sonet getting a 211mm ground clearance is even more appreciable when you factor in the fact that it is a subcompact SUV. It offers the most ground clearance in its segment and comes packed with impressive tech and three engine options – 1.2-litre petrol, 1.5-litre diesel and 1.0-litre turbo petrol. It is priced between Rs 7.49 – 13.99 Lakh (ex-showroom).

Kia Sonet Specifications

• Engine: 1.2-litre petrol, 1.5-litre diesel, 1.0-litre turbo petrol
• Transmission: 6-speed manual/automatic
• Fuel Type: Petrol/diesel
• Airbags: 6
• Body Type: SUV

Also Read – Cars With 6 Airbags

Kia Sonet Key Features

• Bose 7-speaker sound system
• Paddle shifters
• 10.25-inch touchscreen 
• Front ventilated seats

Tata Nexon – 209mm

Although it loses out to the Kia Sonet, the Tata Nexon still offers a whopping 209mm ground clearance which is remarkable when you consider that it surpasses its own bigger sibling, the Tata Harrier. The Nexon is one of the best-selling cars in India and is currently Tata’s bread-winning model. The Nexon stands out from its competition with the help of distinct styling and good drivability. The Nexon’s pricing starts from Rs 7.60 lakhs and goes to Rs 14.08 Lakh (ex-showroom).

Tata Nexon Specifications

• Engine: 1.2-litre petrol, 1.5-litre diesel
• Transmission: 6-speed manual/AMT
• Fuel Type: Petrol/diesel
• Airbags: 6
• Body Type: SUV

Also Read – Cars With Sunroof

Tata Nexon Key Features

• Front ventilated seats
• Sunroof
• Drive modes

Tata Harrier – 205mm

The Harrier is Tata Motors’ pride, showcasing its years of excellence in the Indian automotive industry. Underpinned by a Land Rover-derived platform, the butch SUV offers a good ground clearance of 205mm and is one of the most popular cars in India in recent times. Apart from offering good features, sleek styling and a towering road presence, the SUV also gets a strong 2.0-litre diesel engine that produces 170PS and 350Nm of torque mated to both manual and automatic gearbox options. The Harrier retails from Rs 14.70 lakh to Rs 22.20 lakh (ex-showroom).

Tata Harrier Specifications

• Engine: 2.0-litre diesel
• Transmission: 6-speed manual/Automatic
• Fuel Type: Diesel
• Airbags: 6
• Body Type: SUV

Also Read – Best SUVs In India

Tata Harrier Key features

• Panoramic sunroof
• JBL 9-speaker sound system
• 6-way power adjustable seats

Hyundai Creta – 190mm

The Hyundai Creta is arguably the best-selling car in its segment and offers the most value proposition with a price tag that ranges from Rs 10.44 to Rs 18.24 Lakh. It offers a good ground clearance of 190mm cementing its SUV credentials and tall stance. Under the hood are three engine options – a 1.5-litre petrol ( 115PS/144Nm), 1.5-litre diesel (115PS/250Nm) and a 1.4-litre turbo petrol (140PS/242Nm). There are also three transmission options that include a manual, a dual-clutch automatic and a CVT. 

Also read: Why India loves the Hyundai Creta

Hyundai Creta Specifications

• Engine: 1.5-litre diesel, 1.5-litre petrol, 1.4-litre turbo petrol
• Transmission: 6-speed manual/Automatic
• Fuel Type: Petrol/diesel
• Airbags: 6
• Body Type: SUV

Hyundai Creta Key Features

1. Panoramic sunroof
   •  
2. Bose 8-speaker sound system
3. Tyre pressure monitoring system

Also Read – Tyre Pressure In Car

Renault Kwid – 184mm

The Kwid is the most affordable car on the list with a price tag between Rs 4.64 – 5.99 Lakh, but that does not take away the fact that it comes with a class-leading ground clearance of 184mm. This figure stands out for the Kwid as hatchbacks from various segments above cannot match it, making the Kwid one of India’s highest ground clearance cars today.  There are four variants on offer:  four trims: RXL, RXL (O), RXT and Climber and the prices start from Rs 4.64 lakh.

Renault Kwid Specifications

• Engine: 800cc petrol, 1.0-litre petrol
• Transmission: 5-speed manual/AMT
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Airbags: 2
• Body Type: Hatchback

Also Read – Hatchback vs Sedan

Renault Kwid Key Features

• 20.32cm touchscreen system
• Digital instrument cluster
• Reverse parking camera with guidelines

Renault Triber – 182mm

Yet another Renault on this list and this time around it is the Triber which is Renault’s cleverly packed 7-seater MPV to take on the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. The Tribe offers a lot of space and practicality for its size and is one of the most affordable MPV in India. But the lesser-known fact is that the MPV also offers SUV-like ground clearance of 182mm. Under the hood of the Triber is a 1.0-litre petrol engine developing 72PS and 96Nm.

Renault Triber Specifications

• Engine: 1.0-litre petrol
• Transmission: 5-speed manual/AMT
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Airbags: 2
• Body Type: MPV

Also Read – Best Petrol Cars In India

Renault Triber Key Features

• Cooled glovebox
• Smart access card
• Push start/stop

Tata Tiago NRG – 181mm

The Tata Tiago offers a commendable ground clearance of 170mm but the Tiago’s NRG edition takes it up a notch and offers a class-leading 181mm of ground clearance. It is priced from Rs 6.42 – 7.38 Lakh and comes packed with a 1.2-litre petrol engine producing 86PS and 113Nm mated to a 5-speed manual or an AMT. The NRG also gets clear differentiation from the standard Tiago in the form of a rugged styling package. 

Tata Tiago NRG Specifications

• Transmission: 5-speed manual/AMT
• Engine: 1.0-litre petrol
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Airbags: 2
• Body Type: Hatchback

Tata Tiago NRG Features

• Rugged body claddings
• Digital instrument cluster
• 8-speaker surround sound system

Maruti Suzuki S-Presso- 180mm

Maruti Suzuki’s answer to the Renault Kwid, the S-Presso is an entry-level hatchback with tall styling and stance. The homegrown carmaker markets it as a mini-SUV due to its high ride height. This also translates to good cabin space and a ground clearance of 180mm. Powering the S-Presso is a 1.0-litre petrol engine mated to both a 5-speed manual and an AMT. Prices for the hatchback range between Rs 4.25 – 6.10 Lakh (ex-showroom).

Maruti Suzuki S-Presso Specifications

• Engine: 1.0-litre petrol engine
• Transmission: 5-speed manual/ AMT
• Fuel Type: Petrol/CNG
• Airbags: 2 
• Body Type: Hatchback

Also Read – CNG Cars In India

Maruti Suzuki S-Presso Key Features

• Steering-mounted audio controls with voice control
• Hill hold assist
• Rear parking sensors
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Volkswagen Virtus – 179mm

The Virtus is a noteworthy car as it marks the return of a sedan after a long time. In an era where SUVs are favoured, the Volkswagen Virtus stands out being a proper old-school sedan. But the Achilles heel of all sedans, low ground clearance does not apply to the Virtus since it comes with 179mm of ground clearance. What also makes the Virtus standout are potent engine options – 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre TSI; the latter is good enough for 150PS. Understated German styling and good driving dynamics are other strong points of this spanking-new sedan. 

Volkswagen Virtus Specifications

• Engine: 1.0-litre petrol,1.5-litre petrol
• Transmission: 6-speed manual/automatic
• Fuel Type: Petrol
• Airbags: 6
• Body Type: Sedan

Volkswagen Virtus Key Features

• Digital cockpit 
• 8-speaker sound system
• Ventilated seats

Owning and driving a car with more ground clearance is always welcome, especially in a country like India. Driving on our roads can be a surprise; you can be on a well paved and next thing you know you could be tackling a series of potholes the size of wells. Cars with low ground clearance need special care while clearing speed bumps and bad roads requiring constant attention. Meanwhile, a car with ample clearance makes your driving effortless and keeps you and your car safe from any unexpected events.

Also read: Compact SUVs in India

FAQs about Highest Ground Clearance Cars in India

Q. Which car in India has the highest ground clearance?

There are many expensive SUVs with higher ground clearance than 230mm but on a budget, the Mahindra Thar has the highest ground clearance in India.

Q. Is 180mm ground clearance good?

Overall, 180mm ground clearance is a decent figure but it actually depends on the type of car in question. If it’s an SUV, 180mm clearance is considered to be just about adequate, to say the least. But if we are talking about a sedan or a hatchback, then 180mm of ground clearance is really good and is more than enough to tackle most of what Indian roads can throw at us.

Q.What is the suitable ground clearance for a car in India?

Anything over 165-170mm for a hatchback and a sedan is the suitable ground clearance for a car in India. However, a ground clearance of over 180mm is preferred for SUVs and high-riding vehicles.

Q.How can I increase the ground clearance of my vehicle?

There are two ways one can increase ground clearance. One is to use tyres with a bigger tire sidewall that increases the overall height of the vehicle. The second and more complex way is to modify the suspension or change components to lift the car as per your requirement.

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