I’ve compiled a list of ground clearances for SUVs released by various manufacturers as of 2024. One of the appeals of SUVs is their high ground clearance, especially since they tend to be taller. I currently drive an SUV, and thanks to its high ground clearance, I’ve been able to drive over curbs several times without a single scratch on the body of the vehicle. If the same thing had happened to a sedan, I would have ended up with scratches on the body by now, so this experience really made me appreciate the benefits of an SUV. I hope this information will be helpful when making your purchase.
What is ground clearance?
“Ground clearance” refers to the distance between the ground and the vehicle’s lowest point (which varies by vehicle, including the muffler silencer, engine oil pan, and aerodynamic parts). It is set to prevent damage to undercarriage components when navigating uneven roads, slopes, and steps. The Road Transport Vehicle Act, which sets minimum technical standards for vehicle structure and equipment, stipulates that Article 3 of the Safety Standards requires an appropriate clearance between the vehicle’s non-contacting parts and the ground to ensure safe operation. Article 163 of the Public Notification on Road Transport Vehicle Safety Standards, published by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in 2003, requires a minimum ground clearance of 9 cm for both standard and light vehicles . However, a 9 cm minimum ground clearance does not necessarily mean that all vehicles meet the safety standards; the minimum ground clearance checkpoint varies depending on the vehicle’s installed components and size. Vehicles with a wheelbase of 300 cm or longer require a minimum ground clearance of 10 cm. If the wheelbase is 350cm or more, the ground clearance will be 11cm or more.
What are the benefits of off-road vehicles?
An off-road vehicle is a vehicle that has the ability to traverse harsh road surfaces (bad-road capability) . This is an extremely important feature in mountainous areas with rocky areas and shallow rivers, or in areas where roads are poorly maintained. Because the road conditions are poor, a “ladder frame” frame is often used. Because the body and frame are separate, even if the body is distorted in an accident or crash, damage to the basic frame is unlikely to extend, making repairs easier. When the body is impacted, it is less susceptible to damage than the “monocoque structure” used in standard cars. Furthermore, because there are many obstacles in areas with poor road conditions, the ground clearance of the vehicle is high.
Japanese SUV size comparison
| Manufacturer | Car model name | full length | Overall width | Overall height | Wheelbase |
ground clearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota | Rise | 3,995mm | 1,695mm | 1,620mm | 2,525mm | 185mm |
| Toyota | Yaris Cross | 4,180mm | 1,765mm | 1,590mm | 2,650mm | 170mm |
| Toyota | C-HR | 4,385mm | 1,795mm | 1,550mm | 2,640mm | 140mm |
| Toyota | Corolla Cross | 4,490mm | 1,825mm | 1,620mm | 2,640mm | 160mm |
| Toyota | RAV4 | 4,600mm | 1,855mm | 1,685mm | 2,690mm | 190mm |
| Toyota | RAV4 Adventure | 4,610mm | 1,865mm | 1,690mm | 2,690mm | 200mm |
| Toyota | Harrier | 4,740mm | 1,855mm | 1,660mm | 2,690mm | 190mm |
| Toyota | Crown Sport | 4,710mm | 1,880mm | 1,560mm | 2,770mm | 165mm |
| Toyota | Crown Crossover |
4,930mm | 1,840mm | 1,540mm | 2,850mm | 145mm |
| Toyota | bZ4X | 4,690mm | 1,860mm | 1,650mm | 2,850mm | 180mm |
| Toyota | Land Cruiser 70 | 4,890mm | 1,870mm | 1,920mm | 2,730mm | 200mm |
| Toyota | Land Cruiser 250 | 4,925mm | 1,980mm | 1,870mm | 2,850mm | 215mm |
| Toyota | Land Cruiser 300 | 4,990mm | 1,980mm | 1,880mm | 2,850mm | 225mm |
| Toyota | Hilux | 5,340mm | 1,855mm | 1,800mm | 3,085mm | 215mm |
| Lexus | LBX | 4,190mm | 1,825mm | 1,545mm | 2,580mm | 170mm |
| Lexus | UX200 / UX250h | 4,495mm | 1,840mm | 1,520mm | 2,640mm | 160mm |
| Lexus | NX | 4,660mm | 1,865mm | 1,640mm | 2,690mm | 185mm |
| Lexus | RX | 4,890mm | 1,920mm | 1,695mm | 2,850mm | 190mm |
| Lexus | RZ | 4,805mm | 1,895mm | 1,635mm | 2,850mm | 205mm |
| Lexus | GX | 4,950mm | 1,980mm | 1,870mm | 2,850mm | 215mm |
| Lexus | LX600 | 5,100mm | 1,990mm | 1,885mm | 2,850mm | 200mm |
| Honda | WR-V | 4,060mm | 1,780mm | 1,608mm | 2,485mm | 195mm |
| Honda | Vezel | 4,330mm | 1,770mm | 1,605mm | 2,610mm | 170mm 195mm |
| Honda | ZR-V | 4,570mm | 1,840mm | 1,620mm | 2,680mm | 190mm |
| Honda | CR-V | 4,605mm | 1,855mm | 1,680mm | 2,660mm | 170mm 210mm |
| Mazda | CX-3 | 4,275mm | 1,765mm | 1,550mm | 2,570mm | 160mm |
| Mazda | CX-30 | 4,395mm | 1,795mm | 1,540mm | 2,655mm | 175mm |
| Mazda | CX-5 | 4,545mm | 1,840mm | 1,690mm | 2,700mm | 210mm |
| Mazda | CX-60 | 4,740mm | 1,890mm | 1,685mm | 2,870mm | 175mm 180mm |
| Mazda | CX-80 | -mm | -mm | -mm | -mm | -mm |
| Nissan | Kicks | 4,295mm | 1,760mm | 1,590mm | 2,620mm | 170mm |
| Nissan | X-Trail | 4,660mm | 1,840mm | 1,725mm | 2,705mm | 185mm 200mm |
| Nissan | Aria | 4,595mm | 1,850mm | 1,655mm | 2,775mm | 180mm |
| Subaru | Crosstrek | 4,465mm | 1,800mm | 1,595mm | 2,670mm | 200mm |
| Subaru | Solterra | 4,690mm | 1,860mm | 1,650mm | 2,850mm | 210mm |
| Subaru | Forester | 4,625mm | 1,815mm | 1,715mm | 2,670mm | 220mm |
| Subaru | Revogreyback | 4,770mm | 1,820mm | 1,570mm | 2,670mm | 200mm |
| Subaru | Outback | 4,815mm | 1,840mm | 1,605mm | 2,745mm | 213mm |
| Suzuki | Crosby | 3,760mm | 1,670mm | 1,705mm | 2,435mm | 180mm |
| Suzuki | Escudo | 4,175mm | 1,775mm | 1,610mm | 2,500mm | 185mm |
| Suzuki | SX4 S-CROSS | 4,300mm | 1,785mm | 1,595mm | 2,600mm | 165mm |
| Suzuki | Jimny Sierra | 3,550mm | 1,645mm | 1,730mm | 2,250mm | 195mm |
| Suzuki | Jimny | 3,395mm | 1,475mm | 1,715mm | 2,250mm | 205mm |
| Suzuki | Hustler | 3,395mm | 1,475mm | 1,665mm | 2,460mm | 175mm |
| Mitsubishi | Pajero | 4,900mm | 1,875mm | 1,900mm | 2,780mm | 225mm |
| Mitsubishi | Outlander | 4,695mm | 1,810mm | 1,710mm | 2,670mm | 190mm |
| Mitsubishi | RVR | 4,365mm | 1,770mm | 1,630mm | 2,670mm | 195mm |
| Mitsubishi | Eclipse Cross | 4,405mm | 1,805mm | 1,685mm | 2,670mm | 175mm |
Recommended Japanese SUVs with good ground clearance (2024)
Toyota Land Cruiser 70
Production of the Land Cruiser 70 was discontinued in 2004, but it was re-released for a limited time from August 25, 2014 to June 30, 2015, marking the first time in 10 years. The period from 2023 to 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the model’s release, and the Japanese model will be released on November 29, 2023 , marking the first re-release in about nine years .
The previous reissue model was equipped with the same V6 DOHC 4L engine as the Prado, with a maximum output of 170kW (231PS)/5200rpm and a maximum torque of 360Nm (36.7kgm)/3800rpm, but this time it will not be equipped with this engine, but rather the long-awaited clean diesel 2.8L inline 4 DOHC clean diesel engine, which is also used in the Prado and meets Japan’s strict exhaust gas regulations , with a maximum output of 150kW (204ps)/3400rpm and a maximum torque of 500Nm (51.0kgm)/1600-2800rpm.
The exterior has a powerful design with round headlights, just like the resale model. The front grille has “TOYOTA” on it, just like the Land Cruiser 70 Series 70th Anniversary Special Edition released in Australia, making it different from previous resale models.
The interior has been redesigned to be closer to the modern model, with the steering wheel, shift knob, and speedometer changed from the resale model.
▼For more details, please refer to this article.
Mitsubishi Triton full model change to be released on February 15, 2024
Mitsubishi Thailand unveiled the new Triton pickup truck for the first time in the world on July 26, 2023 (local time). The company also announced that the new Triton will be introduced in the Japanese market in early 2024.
▼For more details, please refer to this article.
Lexus new GX550 full model change to be released in June 2024
Lexus will fully redesign its new cross-country SUV, the GX550 , and will announce it on April 19, 2024, with the GX550 “OVERTRAIL+” going on sale in early June. The standard model will go on sale in the fall of 2024. 100 GX550 “OVERTRAIL+” units will be sold by lottery from Friday, April 19, 2024 to Sunday, May 12, 2024.
▼For more details, please refer to this article.
Toyota’s new Land Cruiser 250 returns to its roots as a full model change from the Prado. Japan model to be released on April 18, 2024.
Toyota had planned to release the Japanese model of the new Land Cruiser 250 on March 8, 2024, but this has been postponed to April 18, 2024. Prices will range from 5.2 million to 7.85 million yen. This time, a special edition First Edition will be sold in limited quantities of 8,000 units.
The vehicle employs a ladder frame based on the newly developed GA-F platform known as TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) , making it possible to achieve a spacious interior space. The adoption of the newly developed platform has resulted in a lower center of gravity and increased body rigidity, achieving high aerodynamic performance and achieving significant improvements. Compared to the previous model, the frame rigidity has been significantly strengthened by 50%, and the rigidity of the entire vehicle has been improved by 30%. Further improvements have been made through the E-KDSS (Electronic-Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System), which improves road-holding performance. On-road driving performance has been improved by increasing the rigidity of each part and adopting EPS.
The exterior design expresses the car as a full-fledged off-roader, with a “design that pursues proportions and uniqueness rooted in functional essence and dynamic performance” that contributes to the provision of high driving performance.
The interior has evolved to a more modern style compared to the previous model, with LCD panels used for meters and other parts. The interior also features LED interior lights and an electric parking brake (with hold function). While taking into consideration functionality such as all-round visibility when driving off-road, the new model is equipped with a variety of user-friendly functions, providing a modern and comfortable interior space that gives customers a sense of security in any environment.
▼For more details, please refer to this article.
Toyota’s new Land Cruiser 250 delayed, to be released in Japan on April 18, 2024
Toyota’s new “Hilux” special edition “Z “Revo ROCCO Edition” features exclusive exterior design and will be released in May 2024
Toyota will announce the special edition “Z “Revo Rocco Edition” of the new “Hilux” based on the “Z” grade on December 22, 2023, with sales starting in May 2024. The “Revo Rocco” is already available overseas, but has never been introduced in Japan, and it is a popular model with many people taking the trouble to customize it. The “Revo Rocco” will finally be coming to Japan.
Hilux Z Revo Rocco
▼For more details, please refer to this article.
→ Officially announced: Toyota’s new “Hilux” special edition “Z “Revo ROCCO Edition” with exclusive exterior will be released in May 2024
Toyota’s new TJ Cruiser, the successor to the FJ Cruiser, will adopt TNGA and be released in 2024.
Toyota may release the new cross-country SUV “Land Cruiser FJ” around October 2024. On October 27, 2023, the company applied for trademark registration of “LAND CRUISER FJ” with the Japan Patent Office (trademark application 2023119958). Following the new “ Land Cruiser 300 ,” the new Land Cruiser series will include the “250,” “70,” and “Mini,” scheduled for release between autumn 2023 and 2024.
▼For more details, please refer to this article.
Mazda Japan’s top-of-the-line SUV, the new CX-80 PHEV with three rows of seats, will be released in 2024.
Mazda will release the CX-80, the top-of-the-line premium crossover SUV for Japan, in 2024. The CX-80 will feature the latest exterior design, as well as an unprecedented interior design. It will use a newly developed FR platform. It will be a more premium 3-row SUV than the existing CX-8. It will not only feature the latest safety system i-ACTIVSENSE, but will also feature the MAZDA CO-PILOT 1.0 . The engine will be a SKYACTIV-X 3.0L inline 6-cylinder engine + 48V M Hybrid . It is likely that the Japanese model will have a lineup of several different powertrains.
▼For more details, please refer to this article.
→ Mazda Japan’s top-of-the-line SUV, the new CX-80 PHEV with three rows of seats, will be released in October 2024.
Toyota Land Cruiser 300
The Land Cruiser combines off-road capability with a spacious interior and cargo area, making it undoubtedly a recommended vehicle for camping. The current Land Cruiser model underwent a full model change on August 2, 2021, and was released as the LC300 series. Based on the newly developed “GA-F platform” known as ” TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) ,” the adoption of a ladder frame allows for a larger interior space than the previous model. The newly developed platform achieves high aerodynamic performance, resulting in a lower center of gravity and increased body rigidity, a significant improvement over the previous model. The weight has been reduced by 200 kg . The lower center of gravity was achieved by moving the engine 20 mm lower and 70 mm further rearward, and the shorter length of the newly developed V6 twin-turbo engine, replacing the previous V8, also enabled a lower center of gravity. The weight distribution is now 53.5:46.5, improving the front-heavy behavior of the 200 series.
Newly equipped with a 3.5L V6 twin-turbo gasoline engine and a 3.3L V6 diesel engine.
The newly developed ladder frame-based TNGA platform “GA-F” has reduced the vehicle weight by 200 kg.
A new grade, “GR SPORT,” has been added with enhanced off-road performance.
Adopts a 12.3-inch infotainment display
A 3D multi-terrain monitor has been adopted, and the “Multi-Terrain Select” now has a new high-range “H4” setting and an “Auto” setting that allows automatic mode changes.
The push-button engine starter is equipped with a fingerprint authentication sensor as an anti-theft device.
Equipped with electric parking brake and auto brake hold function.
The third-row seat storage method has been changed from a flip-up type to one that is stored inside the floor.
The latest safety system, Toyota Safety Sense, is standard equipment on all vehicles. It also features a new function to detect oncoming vehicles going straight at intersections and pedestrians crossing the road from the front when turning right or left, as well as an emergency steering assist function.
▼For more details, please refer to this article.
Toyota’s new Land Cruiser 300 will be fully redesigned and released on August 2, 2021.
summary
The Japanese SUV with the highest default ground clearance is the Toyota Land Cruiser at 220mm. Other models such as the Toyota RAV4 , Toyota Land Cruiser 70 , and Lexus LX have over 200mm of ground clearance, which suggests they have excellent off-road capability. Models such as the Crown Crossover, C-HR, and LBX, which have a ground clearance of around 150mm, are urban crossovers and are not designed or expected to have off- road capability. People who plan to go outdoors or drive on rough roads should choose a vehicle with a high ground clearance.
