Which Subaru SUV sits highest off the ground?
The Subaru Outback Wilderness sits the highest off the ground among Subaru's current SUV lineup, with about 9.5 inches of ground clearance.
In practical terms, ground clearance influences how well a vehicle handles uneven pavement, rocky dirt roads, and snow. Within Subaru's family, most SUVs sit around 8.7 inches of clearance in standard form, while the Solterra sits a bit lower at about 8.3 inches.
Ground clearance snapshot by model
Below is a snapshot of typical ground clearances for Subaru's current SUV lineup. Values are for standard trims; actual clearance can vary with tires and options.
- Outback Wilderness — 9.5 inches
- Outback (non-Wilderness) — 8.7 inches
- Forester — 8.7 inches
- Crosstrek — 8.7 inches
- Ascent — 8.7 inches
- Solterra — about 8.3 inches
These figures show that the Outback Wilderness clearly leads in ground clearance within Subaru's SUV lineup, while the rest of the range sits in the high 8s, with the Solterra a touch lower.
Why ground clearance matters
Ground clearance is a key factor for off-road capability and rough-road comfort. The 9.5-inch clearance on the Outback Wilderness enhances obstacle clearance and approach/departure angles compared with the standard Outback and other Subaru SUVs. For daily driving, the difference is modest, but it can influence tire choices and ride height preferences.
Summary
Among Subaru’s SUVs, the Outback Wilderness stands tallest off the pavement at 9.5 inches of ground clearance, followed by the rest of the lineup at about 8.7 inches. If maximum clearance is a priority, the Wilderness is the option to consider; otherwise, most Subarus offer ample clearance for everyday driving and light off-road use.
Which SUV has the highest ground clearance?
The Rivian R1S has the highest ground clearance at up to 14.9 inches, thanks to its adaptive air suspension. Other SUVs with very high ground clearance include the Land Rover Defender Octa (at around 14 inches when raised), the Land Rover LR4 (12.2 inches), and the Land Rover Discovery (11.1 inches).
Highest ground clearance
- Rivian R1S: Up to 14.9 inches. An electric SUV with an adaptive air suspension that can be adjusted for different ride heights.
- Land Rover Defender Octa: Up to 14 inches. This model features a 6D Dynamics air suspension that can adjust the ride height.
- Land Rover LR4: 12.2 inches. This was the highest-riding SUV on the market when it was released.
- Land Rover Discovery: 11.1 inches.
- Jeep Grand Cherokee (Trailhawk Edition): Up to 10.8 inches. The Trailhawk model includes an air suspension system that can raise the vehicle.
- Jeep Wrangler: Up to 10.8 inches. The Rubicon models can achieve this height, especially with certain tire packages.
- Toyota Sequoia: 10 inches. This full-size SUV offers significant off-road capability.
Do you sit higher in a Forester or Crosstrek?
Forester is four inches taller.
And you notice that you sit higher in the Forester, even though both vehicles give you a "command driving position" (the auto industry term that describes that great feeling of sitting high in a vehicle so you can see what's ahead).
Which Subaru has the highest ground clearance?
The Subaru with the highest ground clearance is the Outback Wilderness, with up to 9.5 inches. This is higher than the Forester Wilderness (9.2 inches) and the Crosstrek Wilderness (9.3 inches).
- Outback Wilderness: Offers up to 9.5 inches of ground clearance, making it the most capable Subaru for off-road adventures.
- Forester Wilderness: Has 9.2 inches of ground clearance and other off-road enhancements.
- Crosstrek Wilderness: Provides 9.3 inches of ground clearance.
How high is a Subaru Forester off the ground?
The Subaru Forester's ground clearance is 8.7 inches for most models, but the Wilderness trim has a higher clearance of 9.2 inches. This measurement is the distance from the ground to the lowest point of the vehicle's undercarriage.
- Standard models: 8.7 inches
- Wilderness trim: 9.2 inches
