Home / Features / 10 SUVs and bakkies with huge ground clearance

10 SUVs and bakkies with huge ground clearance

With the rise in popularity of hi-riding SUVs and bakkies in South Africa, we set out to find the models on offer with the highest ground clearance in their segments.

Locally, we discovered that the bakkie segment is quite limited – and the usual culprits such as the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger are at the front of the pack.

Conversely, the SUV category in the country offers the widest range of sizes and ground clearances – with examples coming from every level of the price spectrum.

A few SUVs are also able to adjust their ground clearance with standard-fitted air suspensions.

SUVs with higher ground clearance then tend to be more expensive, while the bakkie segment has plenty of affordable alternatives to choose from.

Pricing

To see what’s on offer, we listed bakkies and SUVs in South Africa with the highest ground clearance below.

It must be noted that we only selected the vehicle with the highest ground clearance from a particular manufacturer to maintain variety.

Click on the underlined prices for more information.


Bakkie

JAC T8 1.9 TDI Double Cab Lux

  • Ground clearance – 210mm
  • Power – 100kW/320Nm
  • Starting priceR402,400

Mahindra Pik Up 2.2CRDe S4

  • Ground clearance – 210mm
  • Power – 103kW/320Nm
  • Starting priceR224,999

Mitsubishi Triton 2.4DI-D Double Cab

  • Ground clearance – 220mm
  • Power – 133kW/430Nm
  • Starting price R574,995

Nissan Navara 2.5DDTi Double Cab SE

  • Ground clearance – 221mm
  • Power – 120kW/403Nm
  • Starting price R474,000

Isuzu D-Max 250 Fleetside Safety

  • Ground clearance – 225mm
  • Power – 100kW/320Nm
  • Starting price R373,000

GWM P Series 2.0TD SX 

  • Ground clearance – 232mm
  • Power – 120kW/400Nm
  • Starting price R347,900

Mazda BT-50 1.9TD Double Cab Active

  • Ground clearance – 235mm
  • Power – 110kW/350Nm
  • Starting price R611,900

VW Amarok 2.0BiTDI Double Cab Highline 4Motion

  • Ground clearance – 237mm (Extreme Edition – 239mm)
  • Power – 132kW/400Nm
  • Starting price R726,100

Ford Ranger 2.2TDCi SuperCab Hi-Rider

  • Ground clearance – 237mm (Ranger Raptor – 283mm)
  • Power – 88kW/285Nm
  • Starting price R408,000

Toyota Hilux 2.7 Double Cab S

  • Ground clearance – 286mm
  • Power – 122kW/245Nm
  • Starting price R460,600


SUV

Isuzu mu-X 3.0

  • Ground clearance – 230mm
  • Power – 130kW/380Nm
  • Starting price R695,600

Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2DI-D GLS Legend Limited Edition 100

  • Ground clearance – 235mm
  • Power – 140kW/441Nm
  • Starting price R779,995

Peugeot 5008 1.6T Allure

  • Ground clearance – 236mm
  • Power – 121kW/240Nm
  • Starting price R609,900

Mercedes-Benz G400d Stronger Than Time

  • Ground clearance – 241mm
  • Power – 243kW/700Nm
  • Starting price R2,892,840

Lamborghini Urus

  • Ground clearance – 248mm (maximum height with standard air suspension)
  • Power – 478kW/850Nm
  • Starting price R3,995,000

Jeep Wrangler 3.6 Sport

  • Ground clearance – 260mm
  • Power – 209kW/347Nm
  • Starting price R749,900

Nissan Patrol 5.6 V8 LE 4WD

  • Ground clearance – 272mm
  • Power – 298kW/560Nm
  • Starting price R1,602,900

Toyota Fortuner 2.4GD-6

  • Ground clearance – 279mm
  • Power – 110kW/400Nm
  • Starting price R599,000

Land Rover Defender 110 D240 S

  • Ground clearance – 291mm
  • Power – 177kW/500Nm
  • Starting price R1,174,004

Range Rover Vogue TDV6

  • Ground clearance – 296mm (maximum height with standard air suspension)
  • Power – 190kW/600Nm
  • Starting price R2,286,256


Show comments
Sign up to the TopAuto newsletter