Tall seating and chunky body cladding can give a crossover the look of a vehicle built for rough terrain. The measured clearance underneath tells a plainer story, and the low end of the SUV market sits closer to the pavement than most shoppers expect. Here are ten SUVs that ride lower than their styling suggests, starting with one at just 6.7 inches.
1. Infiniti QX60: The Lowest Rider
The Infiniti QX60 measures just 6.7 inches of clearance, the lowest-riding SUV measured. Every other vehicle on this list clears the ground by at least 0.8 inch more, which makes the QX60 the clear outlier at the bottom of the table.
For a family that mostly drives on plowed roads and smooth driveways, that number will rarely matter in daily use. Buyers who face steep driveway aprons, deep snow ridges or gravel roads should look at the figure closely before choosing it over a taller rival.
2. Buick Encore GX: High Seat, Low Floor
Buick’s Encore GX sits 7.5 inches above the road, and it is sold largely on its high seating position. The driver may look down on traffic, yet the body itself rides low, well under the 8-inch mark that most of this list clears.
Shoppers should separate the commanding view from the ground clearance, because the two are not the same thing. The Encore GX is a sound pick for city and highway use, but a poor match for rough access roads or unplowed streets after a storm.
3. Lexus TX 350: Three Rows, Not Much Gap
Luxury buyers eyeing the TX 350 should know it posts 7.9 inches of ground clearance in a three-row luxury SUV. A vehicle of that size and presence rides only 0.4 inch higher than the compact Buick Encore GX above it.
Those choosing it for cabin space and comfort will get exactly that, with modest height beneath the floor. Anyone who expects a lifted stance to go with the large body should plan on careful driving over steep entrances, uneven parking lots and shallow ditches.
4. Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: Battery Under the Floor
With the pack mounted low, the Outlander PHEV measures 7.9 inches of clearance once the battery is under the floor. The plug-in hardware sits low in the body, and it holds the Mitsubishi to the same figure as the Lexus TX 350.
Owners who value electric miles and a flexible powertrain should accept that the pack comes with a lower stance. It is worth confirming that the height suits the roads, driveways and trailheads the vehicle will meet most often before signing any paperwork.
5. Chevrolet Blazer EV: Low Among Electrics
Chevrolet’s Blazer EV rides 7.9 inches off the pavement, among the lowest of any electric SUV. That is the same height as two other vehicles here, so the Blazer EV is level with the TX 350 and the Outlander PHEV.
Electric SUVs often carry their batteries low, and this one shows the effect clearly. Shoppers drawn to the Blazer EV for its looks and range should check whether the clearance fits snowy, rutted or flood-prone routes in their area before they commit.
6. Toyota Grand Highlander: An Even Eight
Toyota’s Grand Highlander stands an even 8 inches off the ground, in the brand’s biggest three-row crossover. It sits one-tenth of an inch above the three vehicles at 7.9 and just under the cluster of four at 8.1.
A figure of eight inches is adequate for ordinary roads but unremarkable for a vehicle of this size. Families buying the largest Toyota crossover for passenger space should treat clearance as a modest, workable strength rather than a reason to choose it, and should look elsewhere in the lineup if height is a priority.
7. BMW X1: Compact BMW Basics
Among small luxury crossovers, the BMW X1 offers 8.1 inches of clearance. It is one of four vehicles on this list that share that figure, so the X1 sits comfortably in the middle of the low-riding group rather than at either end.
For urban buyers, the number is more than enough for curbs, speed bumps and the occasional gravel shoulder. Those who plan on regular snowy-road driving may still want more height than a small BMW provides, and should test it on a rough surface first, since a small crossover can feel quite different once the pavement ends.
8. BMW X2: Sibling Rivalry
Sportier in profile, the X2 matches its X1 sibling, with 8.1 inches of ground clearance under the lower roofline. The two BMW models share a height even though they are styled for different tastes and different kinds of buyers.
Shoppers comparing them can leave clearance out of the decision entirely, because the gap between the two under the floor is zero. Price, rear headroom, cargo shape and driving feel will be the real differences between the pair, so a test drive of each is more informative than a comparison of figures.
9. Mazda CX-90 PHEV: Mazda’s Biggest
Mazda’s largest SUV, the CX-90 PHEV, registers 8.1 inches under the body. It joins the X1, X2 and LX 700h at the same measurement despite being far bigger than the two BMWs, which shows how little size has to do with clearance.
Buyers who want a roomy three-row plug-in will find ordinary clearance rather than lifted ground height. It handles routine roads well, but it should not be mistaken for a trail-ready vehicle on the strength of its size and its flagship status.
10. Lexus LX 700h: Under the Land Cruiser
Lexus’s LX 700h also lands at 8.1 inches of clearance, well under the related Land Cruiser. A flagship luxury SUV with off-road credentials thus sits at the same height as a compact BMW crossover and a three-row Mazda, which shows how little the badge says about height under the floor.
That detail is worth knowing for shoppers who assume the badge guarantees extra height. Those who want maximum clearance within this family of vehicles may find that the Land Cruiser is the better match for their plans and their terrain.
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