
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 price – R402,400
Mahindra Pik Up 2.2CRDe S4
- Ground clearance – 210mm
- Power – 103kW/320Nm
- Starting price – R224,999
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