Which Subaru has the best ground clearance?
The best ground clearance in Subaru’s current lineup is the Outback Wilderness at 9.5 inches, with most models sitting around 8.7 inches.
Ground clearance affects a vehicle’s ability to pass over rough terrain, snow, and uneven roads. Subaru’s lineup today centers on all-wheel drive and on-road comfort, but offers a dedicated off-road-focused option—the Outback Wilderness—that increases clearance for light-to-moderate off-road use. Other popular models like the Crosstrek, Forester, Outback (standard), and Ascent maintain a more modest 8.7 inches of ground clearance.
Current leaders in ground clearance
Below is a snapshot of typical ground clearance figures for core Subaru models, highlighting the standout highest clearance on the Wilderness trims.
- Outback Wilderness — 9.5 inches
- Outback — 8.7 inches
- Crosstrek — 8.7 inches
- Forester — 8.7 inches
- Ascent — 8.7 inches
Note: Ground clearance numbers can vary slightly depending on wheel/tire size, trim, and model year. Always verify the exact specification for your region and year.
Why the Wilderness trim stands out
The Outback Wilderness achieves its higher clearance through a raised suspension and larger tires, enhancing capability on rough trails and in deep snow compared with the standard Outback. This adjustment also improves approach and departure angles for uneven terrain, though it may come with trade-offs in ride comfort and fuel efficiency.
Summary
In practical terms, if maximum ground clearance is your priority, the Outback Wilderness leads the pack at 9.5 inches. For most buyers, the standard 8.7 inches found on the Outback, Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent offers ample clearance with strong on-road manners; upgrade to the Wilderness trim only if off-road capability is a primary concern.
What Subaru has the best ground clearance?
The Forester Wilderness offers 9.2 inches of ground clearance (9.3 for 2026) in a compact, agile package.
Which Subaru is best off-road?
The best Subaru for off-road is the Outback Wilderness, Forester Wilderness, or Crosstrek Wilderness, which are all equipped with enhanced ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and the X-MODE traction system. The best choice among them depends on your specific needs: the Outback Wilderness offers more space, while the Forester Wilderness is taller and the Crosstrek Wilderness is more compact.
You can watch this video to see a test of the Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness on an off-road course: 57sDriving Sports TVYouTube · Nov 18, 2025
Top models for off-roading
- Outback Wilderness: Offers the best off-road features with 9.5 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and a dual-function X-MODE system. It's a good choice for those who need more space for cargo or passengers.
- Forester Wilderness: Has excellent off-road capability with 9.2 inches of ground clearance and a more upright, boxy design that can offer better visibility on tight trails.
- Crosstrek Wilderness: A smaller and more compact option, but still equipped with the same off-road enhancements as the other Wilderness models, making it capable and agile.
Other capable Subaru models
- Ascent: The largest 3-row SUV, it provides off-road capability suitable for families wanting to venture off the beaten path.
- Solterra: Subaru's all-electric SUV, which combines its standard all-wheel-drive and X-MODE with an eco-conscious powertrain.
- Standard models: Even standard models like the Outback and Forester are capable thanks to Subaru's standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and good ground clearance.
You can watch this video to see a test of the Subaru Outback on an off-road course: 1mTFLoffroadYouTube · Mar 15, 2025
Which is better off-road, Crosstrek or Forester?
Performance. Though both SUVs are designed for off-road performance, the Subaru Forester is a bit more powerful than the Crosstrek. It has a slightly larger engine with a bit more horsepower, which carries through trim levels and model years.
Does Outback or Forester have more ground clearance?
All are 8.7 standard ground clearance. Wilderness is 9.5 on Outback and 9.2 on forester.
