Plenty of ordinary crossovers sit higher off the pavement than shoppers would guess, and a few of them clear rugged-looking trucks. The measurements below come from ground-clearance figures, taken from the pavement to the lowest point under the vehicle. Here are eleven crossovers that ride higher than buyers expect, ordered from the highest clearance down.
1. Subaru Crosstrek: A Compact That Stands Tall
The Crosstrek heads the list with 9.3 inches of clearance in a compact crossover. That figure beats every other vehicle in this group, including the larger and more imposing models.
Buyers who want light trail capability without a big vehicle will find it here. The result is a reminder that a small footprint does not have to mean a low stance. Clearance like this is rare in the compact class, which is why the Crosstrek stands out so clearly on the page.
2. Mazda CX-9: Three Rows, Real Clearance
Mazda’s three-row CX-9 offers 8.8 inches under the body. That is a generous number for a vehicle designed mainly around family seating and highway comfort.
Households that need the extra row but live with snowy or unpaved roads will appreciate the headroom beneath. The clearance helps on ruts and curbs, though it does not turn the CX-9 into an off-roader. The Mazda sits at the same height as a vehicle designed to carry far fewer people, which adds to the surprise.
3. Jeep Cherokee: Ground Clearance in Plain Sight
The Cherokee posts 8.8 inches of ground clearance, matching the CX-9 for second place. It sits well above many family crossovers on the road today.
For owners who want an everyday vehicle that handles a rough driveway, that is a useful advantage. The figure speaks to the Cherokee’s practical, all-weather intentions. Buyers should still check the full trim and wheel details, since tire choice and options can nudge the measured height slightly.
4. Jeep Renegade: The Smallest Jeep Stands Up
Jeep’s smallest crossover, the Renegade, measures 8.7 inches of clearance. That is a strong showing for a vehicle of its size, and it keeps pace with much larger models.
City drivers with an occasional taste for gravel roads get a boost from that height. It also hints at how much of the Jeep character survives in a compact package. It shows how clearance can be a strength of small vehicles, not only large ones.
5. Subaru Ascent: The Big Subaru Rides High
Subaru’s largest SUV, the Ascent, sits 8.7 inches above the pavement. That matches the Renegade, even though the two vehicles serve very different families.
The Ascent pairs that clearance with three-row seating, which suits large households living in snowy regions. It is a practical combination rather than a dramatic one. Its place near the top reinforces the Subaru habit of building family vehicles that cope well with bad weather and rough roads.
6. Mazda CX-50: Most of Any Compact Mazda
The CX-50 provides 8.6 inches of clearance, the most of any compact Mazda. It outdoes its stablemates on this measure, reflecting a more outdoorsy brief.
Shoppers cross-shopping the Mazda lineup should note that the CX-50 is the pick for rougher roads. Clearance this size covers most snowy lanes and gravel stretches. Mazda has clearly separated the two models, and the higher figure is the clearest reason to pick the CX-50.
7. Toyota RAV4: America’s Favorite Clears Enough
The RAV4, billed as the best-selling SUV in the country, offers 8.6 inches of clearance. That ties it with the CX-50 and keeps it ahead of several better-known rivals.
For the millions of buyers who choose it, the number means everyday obstacles are rarely a problem. It is a sensible result for a vehicle built to suit nearly everyone. Being the most popular choice, its height reaches more driveways than any other number on this list, which makes it quietly important.
8. Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: A Sleeper Among the Subcompacts
The Outlander Sport records 8.5 inches of clearance, a figure that surprises given its modest size and price class. It sits comfortably in the middle of the ranking.
Budget-minded shoppers can take comfort from the extra height when winter weather arrives. It will not rival a dedicated trail vehicle, but it clears most everyday obstacles. It is a good example of how a low-profile model can outperform its image once the tape measure comes out.
9. Kia Telluride: Family Hauler, Higher Ride
Kia’s Telluride, a three-row family hauler, sits 8.4 inches above the road. That puts it just below the group’s middle, though still well clear of many passenger cars.
Families who value seating capacity over trail ability get a useful bit of margin for snow and rough lanes. The number is practical, not heroic, and fits the vehicle’s mission. The Telluride is built for passengers and luggage, and the height is a bonus when roads turn rough.
10. Nissan Murano: Murano Holds Its Own
The Nissan Murano measures 8.3 inches of ground clearance, enough to share the bottom spot on this list. It is a comfort-oriented crossover, so the figure is a pleasant surprise.
Commuters in snowy areas will notice the benefit on unplowed streets. It does not make the Murano a trail machine, only a bit more capable than its looks suggest. Ground clearance alone will not decide a purchase, but it is a measurable advantage that costs nothing to enjoy.
11. Honda Passport: Matching the Murano
Honda’s Passport also posts 8.3 inches of clearance, matching the Murano. The two close out the ranking at identical height.
The Passport leans toward the adventurous side of Honda’s lineup, and the figure supports that image. Buyers shopping the pair will need to choose on other qualities, since ride height will not separate them. For shoppers trying to settle between them, other features such as seating, price and fuel economy will be more decisive.
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