Top 8 SUVs With the Highest Ground Clearance (2026)
These are the SUVs with the highest ground clearance you can buy in Canada for 2026, ranked from most clearance to least.
Ground clearance is the gap between the lowest point of a vehicle and the road. It decides whether you clear a rutted cottage road, a snowbank at the end of the driveway, or a rock on the trail.
Most crossovers sit around 7 to 8 inches. Every SUV in this guide beats that, and the one with the highest ground clearance doubles it.
#1
2026 GMC HUMMER EV 5 Door
MSRP from $144,198 CAD · Best for: Extreme Off-Roaders
The GMC Hummer EV SUV has the highest ground clearance in this guide. Its air suspension Extract Mode raises the body by about 6 inches to reach nearly 16 inches of clearance, enough to ford water and crawl over large rocks. Crabwalk steering, front and rear lockers and a long list of underbody camera views make it a very capable off-road vehicle. You pay a large premium for it, and efficiency is not a strong suit.
Pros
- Nearly 16 inches of ground clearance in Extract Mode
- CrabWalk 4-wheel steering for tight trails
- Huge instant torque from its electric motors
Cons
- Starts at over $140,000
- One of the least efficient EVs on sale
#2
2026 Ford Bronco Raptor 4WD 4-door
MSRP from $109,995 CAD · Best for: High-Speed Desert Runners
The Bronco Raptor is the most off-road-focused Bronco, built for Baja-style speed rather than slow rock crawling. Standard 37-inch tires, long-travel Fox suspension and a 418 hp twin-turbo V6 set it well apart from the standard Bronco. With 13.1 inches of ground clearance it clears large trail obstacles, and it is more composed on pavement than you would expect for this much hardware.
Pros
- 13.1 inches of ground clearance on 37-inch tires
- 418 hp twin-turbo V6
- Front and rear locking differentials
Cons
- Removable roof means plenty of wind noise
- Poor fuel economy
#3
2026 Jeep Wrangler 4-Door Rubicon
MSRP from $68,395 CAD · Best for: Hardcore Trail Enthusiasts
The Wrangler Rubicon is the reference point for off-road SUVs. With the Xtreme 35 tire package it reaches 12.9 inches of ground clearance, and it adds a 4:1 low-range transfer case, heavy-duty Dana axles and a front sway bar disconnect for maximum wheel travel. Few off-roaders near this price match it on technical trails. The trade-offs are real: the ride is coarse on pavement and the cabin is basic, but it has a very large aftermarket and owner community.
Pros
- Up to 12.9 inches of clearance with the Xtreme 35 package
- Front and rear locking differentials
- Largest off-road aftermarket of any SUV
Cons
- Coarse, bouncy ride on paved roads
- Interior quality lags behind rivals
#4
2026 Land Rover Range Rover P530 Autobiography LWB 7 Seat
MSRP from $197,500 CAD · Best for: Luxury Off-Road Buyers
The Range Rover proves that going off-road does not mean giving anything up. Its standard air suspension lifts it to 11.6 inches of ground clearance for fire roads and rough tracks, then settles down to ride like a luxury sedan on the highway. The cabin is among the most luxurious of any SUV on sale, and the long-wheelbase version seats seven. It is the most expensive vehicle here, and it pairs high capability with full luxury.
Pros
- 11.6 inches of ground clearance with standard air suspension
- Very luxurious cabin
- Long-wheelbase model seats up to 7
Cons
- Steep depreciation
- Third row in the long-wheelbase model is tight
#5
2026 Land Rover Defender 110 P300 S
MSRP from $75,700 CAD · Best for: Off-Roading With Everyday Comfort
The Defender delivers most of the Range Rover's trail ability for less than half the price. With air suspension raised to its off-road height it reaches about 11.5 inches of ground clearance, and Terrain Response adjusts the drivetrain for mud, snow, sand and rock at the turn of a dial. It is comfortable on the highway, and the 110 body leaves plenty of room for a family and gear. Just watch the options list, which can push the price up fast.
Pros
- About 11.5 inches of clearance with air suspension raised
- Comfortable and quiet on the highway
- Terrain Response modes for mud, snow, sand and rock
Cons
- Maximum clearance needs the air suspension, which is not on every trim
- Options add up quickly
#6
2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit
MSRP from $82,995 CAD · Best for: Daily-Driver Off-Roaders
The Grand Cherokee is the off-roader for people who mostly drive on pavement. With Quadra-Lift air suspension at its highest setting it reaches 10.9 inches of ground clearance, close to Wrangler territory, while riding and feeling like a premium family SUV. The Summit adds a luxurious, quiet cabin and a long list of comfort features. It is refined enough for long road trips and tough enough for a weekend on a logging road.
Pros
- Up to 10.9 inches of clearance with Quadra-Lift air suspension
- Quiet, upscale Summit cabin
- Selec-Terrain modes for snow, mud and rock
Cons
- Summit trim pushes the price past $80,000
- Engine feels strained when fully loaded on hills
#7
2026 Toyota 4Runner Hybrid TRD Off-Road
MSRP from $68,857 CAD · Best for: Best Long-Term Reliability
The redesigned 4Runner earns its place mainly through Toyota's reliability record. The TRD Off-Road has about 9.6 inches of ground clearance, a tough body-on-frame build and, in this version, the i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain for more torque and better fuel use. Crawl control and a rear locking differential help on the trail. It is built to last to high mileage.
Pros
- Strong reliability and resale value
- Hybrid powertrain adds torque and improves efficiency
- Rear locking differential and crawl control
Cons
- Less clearance than the Wrangler or Bronco
- Less cargo room than some rivals
#8
2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness
MSRP from $49,195 CAD · Best for: Best Value
The Outback Wilderness is the lowest-priced high ground clearance SUV in this guide. At 9.5 inches it sits higher than many full-size SUVs, and it adds all-terrain tires, a turbocharged engine, standard all-wheel drive and an X-Mode system tuned for snow, mud and steep grades. It drives like a comfortable everyday car, which suits winter roads and gravel cottage driveways.
Pros
- Lowest price in this guide
- 9.5 inches of clearance, more than many full-size SUVs
- Comfortable, easy everyday driver
Cons
- No low-range gearing for serious rock crawling
- Not as tough as the body-on-frame options here
How we ranked the best high ground clearance SUVs
We ranked the SUVs with the highest ground clearance by maximum clearance, measured at the highest suspension setting where a model has adjustable air suspension. Figures come from manufacturer specifications and published reviews, rounded to the nearest tenth of an inch.
MSRP is the Canadian price of the trim shown, before freight, PDI and taxes. Scores also weigh value, on-road comfort and reliability, so an SUV can rank high on clearance and still score lower overall.
Questions about the best high ground clearance SUVs
Which SUV has the highest ground clearance?
Of the SUVs sold in Canada for 2026, the GMC Hummer EV SUV has the most: nearly 16 inches with its air suspension in Extract Mode. Among gas SUVs, the Ford Bronco Raptor is next at 13.1 inches.
How much ground clearance do I need for Canadian winters?
For snowy roads and unplowed driveways, about 8 inches is enough for most drivers. You do not need the highest ground clearance on the market: good winter tires matter more than extra height. Look for 9 inches or more if you drive unpaved cottage roads or trails.
What is the best off-road SUV in Canada?
It depends on how you use it. The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is built for slow, technical trails, the Ford Bronco Raptor for high-speed dirt roads, and the Toyota 4Runner for long-term reliability. The Subaru Outback Wilderness is the lowest-priced option here at $49,195.
How much below MSRP can I pay for these SUVs?
For the trims in this guide, the dealer invoice price is on average about 9.5% below MSRP, or roughly $10,200 per vehicle (from 4.3% to 20.4%, Price Driven data, October 2026). Your free Price Driven report shows the invoice price and a target price for the exact trim you want.
Do prices differ in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Montreal?
MSRP is set nationally, so the sticker price is the same across Canada. Taxes and fees are not: 13% HST in Toronto, 5% GST plus at least 7% PST in Vancouver (B.C. charges more PST on vehicles over $55,000), 5% GST in Calgary, and 5% GST plus 9.975% QST in Montreal. Freight, PDI and dealer fees also vary by dealer.
Is there a guarantee?
The Price Driven report is free. If you use our paid negotiation service and we don't beat the average sale price by more than our fee, you don't pay it.
Found the right vehicle? See the dealer invoice price before you talk to a salesperson.
Get your free discount reportThe report is free. If you use our paid negotiation service and we don't beat the average sale price by more than our fee, you don't pay it.