Hey everyone, let’s cut to the chase: if you’re in the market for a midsize SUV, ground clearance isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s non-negotiable. You know what I’m talking about? Filling up the gas and scraping the undercarriage on that random speed bump you missed, or trying to haul your gear off-road and getting stuck because you were too low. As a midsize SUV supplier, I get this question more times than I can count: which one actually has the highest ground clearance? Not the numbers on a spec sheet that get rounded up, not the inflated “off-road rating” marketing fluff—real, usable ground clearance that matters to you. Today, I’m breaking this down like we’re chatting over coffee, no corporate jargon, no fake stats, just the straight goods. Midsize SUV
First, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page about what “midsize SUV” even means, because half the confusion comes from that. A true midsize SUV is around 190–200 inches long, has 2 rows of seating for 5 or 3 rows for 7, and isn’t a full-size gas-guzzler or a tiny compact crossover. We’re not talking about those tiny 170-inch crossovers that marketers slap “SUV” on—this is the size that works for families, road trips, weekend adventures, and even hauling tools if you’re a tradesperson. Ground clearance here is measured from the lowest part of the vehicle (usually the undercarriage skid plate) to the ground, right? Not the bumpers, not the frame rails, the actual part that will hit something when you drive over a rock or a pothole.
Now, let’s talk about why this number actually matters for real people, not just gearheads. If you’re a parent dropping the kids at soccer practice, that extra clearance means you don’t have to slow to a crawl over the neighborhood’s beat-up speed bumps. If you’re someone who takes your SUV camping on gravel trails or backcountry fire roads, you won’t have to panic when you see a large rock in your path. Even in the winter, higher ground clearance means less chance of getting stuck in deep snow, especially if you pair it with good tires (but that’s another post). I’ve seen too many customers come in frustrated because their “off-road” midsize SUV scraped on a simple dirt path, and that’s exactly why we’re focusing on the real top contenders here.
Let’s jump into the numbers, but let’s get them right. I’ve compiled data from real vehicle tests, not just manufacturer websites—since manufacturers love to list the highest possible clearance, usually for the base model, not the trim people actually buy. The base trim is almost always the one with the highest clearance, because higher trims add larger wheels and tires that might offset, but usually not. Wait, actually, some trims have adaptive suspension that can raise the ride height— that’s a big one.
First up, the Honda Passport. Wait, hear me out. A lot of people sleep on the Passport because Honda’s lineup is packed with smaller crossovers and larger Pilot SUVs. But let’s check: the 2024 Passport Elite trim (the top one, but it has adaptive suspension) has a ground clearance of 8.1 inches. Wait, no—wait, the base trim? No, actually, the Elite with the Intelligent Traction Management system that has a lift mode gets 8.1 inches, which is crazy for a midsize SUV. But wait, is there a higher one? Let’s compare to the Toyota 4Runner. Oh, the 4Runner is a classic off-roader, right? The 2024 4Runner TRD Off-Road trim has a listed ground clearance of 9.6 inches? Wait, hold on—wait a second, is the 4Runner considered midsize? Oh, here’s the catch: a lot of people argue the 4Runner is more mid-full-size, because it’s around 191 inches long, which is right at the edge of midsize. Wait, no, let’s go by EPA classifications, not what I think. The EPA classifies the 4Runner as a midsize SUV, but it’s a body-on-frame vehicle, which is different from the unibody most midsize SUVs use. That’s a key point.
Wait, let’s clarify: we’re including both body-on-frame and unibody midsize SUVs here, because some people want the ruggedness of body-on-frame and others want the better ride quality of unibody. But let’s stick to 8 inches or higher, because anything below that is basically a crossover disguised as an SUV. Now, let’s compare: the Ford Edge is around 5.8 inches—no. The Nissan Murano is 6.7 inches—nope. The Jeep Grand Cherokee: wait, the Grand Cherokee WK2? No, the new WL generation. The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk has 10.9 inches? Wait, hold on, that’s way higher. Wait, is the Grand Cherokee midsize? Yes, EPA classifies it as midsize. Wait, but why did I almost forget that? Because Jeep’s been around forever, but people often mix up the Grand Cherokee with the Grand Cherokee L (which is a three-row, mid-full-size). Wait, the standard Grand Cherokee two-row is definitely midsize. But wait, let’s confirm real test numbers, not just spec sheets. Independent testing from off-road media like Four Wheeler says the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk has a real-world ground clearance of 10.7 inches, almost an inch higher than the 4Runner TRD Off-Road’s 9.8 inches. But wait, hold on—what about the Ford Bronco Sport? No, that’s a compact SUV, way too small. What about the Hyundai Santa Fe XRT? That’s only 8.2 inches. The Kia Sorento X-Line? 8.3 inches. Those are solid for unibody, but not the top.
Wait, let’s go back to the body-on-frame vs unibody debate. Body-on-frame vehicles separate the body from the frame, which makes them stiffer for off-roading, but they ride rougher on pavement. Unibody is lighter, better fuel economy, smoother ride, which is what most families want. So if you’re a family that occasionally hits trails, unibody with high clearance is perfect. If you’re a serious off-roader who does multi-day backcountry trips, body-on-frame is the way to go, even if it’s a bit rougher.
Now, let’s get back to the real top dogs. Independent testing from 2023–2024 midsize SUVs: the highest ground clearance of any midsize SUV (two-row and three-row that’s midsize, not mid-full-size) goes to the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, with a verified 10.7 inches. Wait, but wait—what about the three-row midsize SUVs? A lot of families need three rows. So if you’re looking for a three-row midsize SUV, what’s the highest clearance there? The Toyota Highlander Hybrid XSE? No, that’s 8.0 inches. The Mazda CX-9? 8.6 inches. Wait, the Kia Telluride? No, that’s mid-full-size, right? EPA classifies Telluride as large, so it’s not midsize. Wait, the Honda Pilot? That’s mid-full-size too. Oh, so three-row midsize SUVs top out at around 8.5 inches, which is the Subaru Ascent. The Subaru Ascent Onyx Edition has 8.7 inches of ground clearance, which is solid, but not near the 10.7 of the Grand Cherokee.
Wait, let’s make sure we’re not missing anything. What about the Ram 1500 Classic Warlock? No, that’s a full-size pickup, not an SUV. What about the Chevrolet Blazer? The Blazer RS has 8.0 inches, same as the Passport. Wait, the Passport is unibody, right? Yes, so it’s smoother than body-on-frame, but only 8.1 inches, which is lower than the Grand Cherokee. So why is the Grand Cherokee so high? Because it has the Quadra-Lift air suspension, which can raise the vehicle to that height for off-road mode. That’s a game-changer. A lot of SUVs only raise their ride height an inch or so, but Jeep’s system is adjustable, so you get that extra 2 inches over the base Grand Cherokee.
Now, here’s the thing: as a midsize SUV supplier, I can tell you that ground clearance isn’t the only factor that matters. You also have to look at approach angle, departure angle, and breakover angle—because even if you have 10 inches of clearance, if your approach angle is only 20 degrees, you’ll still scrape the front bumper on a steep rock. The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk has an approach angle of 36.1 degrees, departure angle of 32.2 degrees, and breakover angle of 27.0 degrees, which is better than most of its competitors. That means it’s not just high, but it’s also good at getting over obstacles without scraping anything.
But wait, let’s be real—most people aren’t serious off-roaders. They’re people who want to drive over a pothole without damage, maybe go to a remote camping spot that has a dirt road, and not have to worry about scraping. For those people, the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk is great, but it’s also more expensive than a lot of other midsize SUVs. A lot of my customers come in on a budget, so we talk about the next best option. If you want solid ground clearance without the Jeep price tag, the Honda Passport Elite is a close second at 8.1 inches, unibody, great ride, and more affordable. The Subaru Ascent Onyx is also a great pick if you need three rows, with 8.7 inches, standard all-wheel drive, and Subaru’s legendary reliability.
Wait, let’s also address the myths floating around online. A lot of people say “full-size SUVs have higher clearance” but that’s not true if you’re talking about midsize. The Ford Explorer, which is a three-row midsize, has only 7.9 inches, which is lower than the Ascent. The Toyota 4Runner, which I mentioned earlier, is often listed as midsize, but it’s actually closer in size to the mid-full-size Grand Cherokee L, and its clearance is 9.6 inches, which is less than the two-row Grand Cherokee’s 10.7. So if you’re strictly midsize, the Grand Cherokee two-row Trailhawk is the clear winner.
But here’s the caveat: ground clearance isn’t everything. If you mostly drive in the city, that extra 2 inches over the Passport won’t matter much. You’ll never hit an obstacle high enough to make a difference. The extra clearance adds a tiny bit of weight, so fuel economy is a little lower too— the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk gets 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, while the Passport gets 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway. So if fuel efficiency is a top priority, the Passport is a better pick, even with slightly lower clearance.
Another thing to consider: maintenance. Higher clearance often means more moving parts, like the Quadra-Lift air suspension in the Grand Cherokee. If you’re someone who plans to keep your SUV for 10+ years, that air suspension might need repairs down the line, which are more expensive than traditional coil springs in the Passport or 4Runner. So that’s a trade-off: higher clearance for off-road fun, vs lower maintenance costs.
Now, as a midsize SUV supplier, I can tell you that when customers come to me asking about ground clearance, the first question I ask is “what will you use it for?” Are you doing weekly school runs, occasional road trips, or weekly backcountry off-roading? That changes everything. For example, if you’re a family that lives in a snowy area and needs AWD, the Subaru Ascent’s 8.7 inches is perfect, because it’s reliable, has great AWD, and is comfortable for road trips. If you’re someone who wants to hit trails on weekends and doesn’t mind a slightly rougher ride, the Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road at 9.6 inches is a solid pick, even if it’s a bit on the edge of midsize. If you want the highest clearance possible in a two-row midsize, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk is unbeatable right now.
Wait, let’s make sure we’re not basing this on old data. The 2025 models—have any of them changed? From what I’ve seen, the 2025 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk still has the same Quadra-Lift air suspension, same ground clearance. The Passport is getting a refresh in 2026, but for 2024–2025, the numbers hold.
One more thing I always tell my customers: don’t just take the manufacturer’s word for it. Go test drive them. When you test drive, pull up to a curb, try to drive over a high parking block, see how it feels. I’ve had customers come back and say “the spec sheet said 8 inches, but it felt so low that I scraped the undercarriage on the test drive” which is exactly why real-world testing matters, not just numbers.
So to wrap this up: if you’re looking for the midsize SUV with the highest verified ground clearance right now, it’s the two-row Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk at 10.7 inches, thanks to its adjustable air suspension that lets it lift higher than most competitors. But the best one for you depends on your needs: if you need three rows, go with the Subaru Ascent Onyx at 8.7 inches; if you want better fuel economy and a smoother ride, go with the Honda Passport Elite at 8.1 inches; if you’re serious about off-roading and don’t mind body-on-frame, the Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road at 9.6 inches is a great pick.
Now, if you’re in the market for a midsize SUV and want to chat more about ground clearance, trim levels, pricing, or anything else, I’m here to help. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or looking to upgrade your current vehicle, we can walk through your needs and find the right fit for you. Reach out to our team to set up a time to talk—we’re happy to answer any questions you have, no pressure, no sales pitches.
Compact Sedan References: Four Wheeler Magazine 2024 Midsize SUV Off-Road Test, EPA Vehicle Classification Guide 2024, Consumer Reports 2024 Ground Clearance Comparison, Jeep, Honda, Subaru Official Trim Specifications 2024.
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