Electric cars are at the forefront of the automotive industry’s evolution towards sustainability.
They often feature elevated ride height, enhancing their versatility to navigate various terrains with ease and ensuring a smoother driving experience.
This article will explore 15 electric cars known for providing exceptional ground clearance.
Table of Contents
1. GMC Hummer EV SUV (10.2 Inches)
The military-style GMC Hummer EV SUV is the champion of this list, with a ground clearance of 10.2 inches.
It comes in as a 2024 model year with a renewed vigor, bringing back the legendary Hummer nameplate.
In keeping with its heritage, it exudes a rugged and robust aesthetic, boasting an oversized profile that distinctly positions it several inches above the ground.
It is powered by an electric motor setup that delivers a whopping 830 horsepower and 11,500 pound-feet of torque.
It comes with several standard equipment that make this SUV good for off-road excursions.
Based on the EPA’s testing, this vehicle has an electric range of 314 miles which is good for a model of this weight and stature.
2. BMW iX (8.8 Inches)
The BMW iX ranks second on this list, with a ground clearance of 8.8 inches.
With 3 model years produced so far, this all-electric BMW beauty is definitely something to behold.
As a midsize SUV, it is spacious, comfortable, agile, and efficient.
It has a total charge time of 11 hours and provides an EPA-certified range of 307 miles.
There are 2 main trim levels: xDrive50 and M60. Base pricing ranges from about $88,000 to $112,500.
The most popular variant is the bae xDrive50. It comes with 20-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof (with electrochromatic shade tinting), and a four-zone automatic climate control system.
Notable safety features include the following:
- Active Driving Assistant
- Parking Assistant Professional
- Highway Assistant
3. Rivian R1S (8.7 Inches)
While Rivian is not a common manufacturer you see online, make special note of the R1S as it comes with a commendable 8.7-inch ground clearance.
As both an electric and 3-row SUV, this model has great range, true off-road capability, and zippy acceleration.
It comes in a single trim level: Adventure.
It is fitted with a dual-motor electric setup that delivers power to all wheels and provides as much as 600 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque.
According to the EPA, electric range is pegged at 321 miles.
Total charging time, on the other hand, is 13 hours, give or take.
Related: 15 Electric Cars With the Most Rear Legroom (W/ Pictures)
4. Subaru Solterra (8.3 Inches)
As a result of a fruitful collaboration with Toyota, Subaru comes in with the Solterra, an SUV which sports a ground clearance of 8.3 inches.
From a size standpoint, this model is similar in many ways to a Forester, and also possesses great off-road capabilities.
It comes as an all-wheel-drive by way of 2 electric motors (215 horsepower).
In a single charge, the EPA claims that owners can get as much as 228 miles.
There are 3 trims: Premium, Limited, and Touring.
While there are no major differences in performance across these trims, going for the midrange Premium trim is your best bet in terms of value for money and feature availability.
5. Toyota bZ4X (8.1 Inches)
The Toyota bZ4X is a dashing crossover SUV that offers an 8.1-inch ground clearance.
Thanks to this, the vehicle offers smooth ride quality, comfort (for both driver and passengers), and limited off-road capacity.
The front-wheel-drive gives owners 201 horsepower while the all-wheel-drive has a slight pump to 214 horsepower.
Depending on which variant you get, the EPA says to expect anywhere from 222 to 252 miles which is an okay figure but definitely not the best in the market.
There are also 2 trims to choose from: XLE and Limited. Base pricing ranges from approximately $43,000 to $48,000.
6. Audi Q8 e-tron (8.1 Inches)
The Audi Q8 e-tron, which is a refresh of the model that debuted in 2019, has a respectable ground clearance of 8.1 inches.
The model has a spacious interior, comfortable seating, and a long list of standard (and optional) safety and tech features.
There are a total of 3 trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. Base pricing ranges between around $76,000 and $86,000.
All variants are fitted with a dual-motor electric setup that provides 402 horsepower.
It also received a perfect 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA (based on standard crash tests).
Notable safety features include the following:
- Audi Pre Sense Front
- Audi Side Assist
- Top View Camera System
Related: 15 Electric Cars With Lots of Cabin Space (W/ Pics)
7. Lexus RZ (7.9 Inches)
The Lexus RZ is as luxurious as EVs can get. It also comes with a commendable 7.9-inch ground clearance.
It has outstanding comfort levels, exceptional cargo space, and an interior built with premium materials.
With a total charging time of 10 hours, this model can provide an EPA-certified 220 miles on the road.
The model is available in 2 trim levels: Premium and Luxury. Base pricing ranges from about $60,000 to $65,000.
Both are fitted with a dual-motor electric setup that powers both the front and the rear to produce a total of 308 horsepower.
The transmission is a 1-speed direct drive which is an electrified version of the standard continuously variable transmission (CVT).
8. Kia EV9 (7.8 Inches)
The Kia EV9, a superstar in the making, has a competent ground clearance of 7.8 inches.
It is the super-sized sibling of the popular EV6 and is positioned to be Kia’s flagship nameplate.
It is roughly equal to the Telluride in terms of size and shape, but with a longer wheelbase (by around 8 inches).
The model has 3-rows, a ton of smart technology, and a spacious interior.
Depending on which trim you get, the model either comes with a single rear motor (215 horsepower) or a dual-motor setup (379 horsepower combined).
It falls under the non-luxury electric 3-row SUV segment and is poised to make waves as a practical and environmentally friendly pick in the U.S. market.
9. Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV (7.3 Inches)
The relatively new Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, with only 2 model years in the bag, has a decent ground clearance of 7.3 inches.
It has impeccable comfort, luxury, and technology. What is most surprising, however, is its competitive range.
According to the EPA, owners can get up to 305 miles which is definitely hard to beat, regardless of vehicle segment.
Notable safety features include the following:
- Active Distance Assist Distronic
- Evasive Steering Assistance
- Active Emergency Stop Assist
There are 3 main trim levels to choose from: EQS 450+, EQS 450 4MATIC, and EQS 580 4MATIC. Base pricing ranges from around $106,000 to $127,000.
10. Volvo XC40 Recharge (7.1 Inches)
With the term “Recharge” being the giveaway, the XC40 Recharge is an electric SUV, and a special one at that. It has a ground clearance of 7.1 inches.
It is praised for its quick acceleration, enjoyable handling, and decent noise reduction.
There are 3 available trim levels; Core, Plus, and Ultimate. Base pricing sits between approximately $55,000 and $61,000.
This model is powered by a 78-kWh battery pack that provides power to an electric motor at each axle (all-wheel-drive) and gives an impressive output of 402 horsepower.
The EPA claims that owners can get around 223 miles with a full charge.
11. Audi Q4 e-tron (7.1 Inches)
The modern and sporty Audi Q4 e-tron has a ground clearance of 7.1 inches.
It is appealing in its design, possesses intuitive controls and features, and has practical cargo and passenger space.
There are 3 trim levels to choose: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige.
The most popular trim is the midrange Premium Plus, with a starting price of $57,195.
There are also 2 versions available: Q4 40 e-tron and Q4 50 e-tron.
While both utilize an 82-kWh battery pack, the Q4 40 e-tron utilizes a 201-horsepower electric motor that sends power to the rear wheels while the Q4 50 e-tron is fitted with a secondary motor to provide as much as 295 horsepower.
12. Cadillac Lyriq (7.0 Inches)
Musical undertones aside, the splendid Cadillac Lyriq has a 7-inch ground clearance.
It has an attractive interior, plenty of standard (and optional) features, and a conservative exterior design.
It has the most available trim levels of any EV on this list, with a total of 7: Tech, Luxury 1, Sport 1, Luxury 2, Sport 2, Luxury 3, and Sport 3.
Base pricing ranges from around $59,000 to $71,000.
It also has the shortest charging time of 6.5 hours. In a full charge, the EPA estimates that owners can get an outstanding 314 miles of range.
Notable safety and driver assistance features include the following:
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking
- Reverse Automatic Braking
13. Volvo C40 Recharge (7.0 Inches)
Your eyes are not fooling you. Volvo inserts another entry on this list with a similarly named model, the C40 Recharge. Unlike the XC40, however, it has a 7-inch ground clearance.
While much of its architecture is shared with its XC40 sibling, the C40 Recharge is a fascinating compact SUV that provides memorable performance and a wide array of standard features.
Another key difference is the coupe-style roofline that slightly reduces both passenger headroom and cargo capacity but offers a way better exterior shape.
There are 3 available trim levels: Core, Plus, and Ultimate. Base pricing lands between around $56,000 and $61,000.
14. Genesis Electrified GV70 (6.9 Inches)
The Genesis Electrified GV70 has a ground clearance of 6.9 inches. While not impressive based on this list alone, it is still ahead of all the other models left out of this list (and there are plenty).
It has a spacious cabin, comfortable seating, and exceptional ride quality.
It is available in a single trim known as AWD Advanced that is equipped with a 77.4-kWh that provides energy to a dual-motor electric system, one for the front wheels and the other for the rear.
Total output is rated at 429 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. Through a 10-second boost feature, owners can bump the output to as high as 483 horsepower.
15. Tesla Model Y (6.6 Inches)
Last on this list is the Tesla Model Y. It has a 6.6-inch ground clearance which is decent enough for the occasional rough patch on the road (and perhaps even a bit of quick off-road trips).
The Elon-backed vehicle is stylish, roomy, and has a unique appeal. It can even be argued that the Model Y, alongside the Roadster, Model S, and Model X, started and even popularized the electric vehicle (EV) bonanza.
There are 3 available trims: Base, Long Range, and Performance. Starting prices for these trims range between approximately $45,000 and $54,000.
There are no EPA-certified electric range figures, but according to Edmunds’ tests, owners can get as much as 317 miles out of the midrange Long Range trim.
