The Best Sedans with High Ground Clearance in 2024
Photo by Isak Pettersson on Unsplash
Finding the perfect car to suit your lifestyle can be tricky. You like to go track driving on the weekends, but you’re not about the off-roader vehicle aesthetic. Maybe you live down a dirt road, and you’re tired of all the bumps and scrapes you hear under your car on your daily commute, but you’re not into the idea of investing in a full-sized SUV. Or you might just want a better chance of driving over those strangely elevated speed bumps unscathed but still want to be as close to the ground as possible.
Suppose this sounds like you, good news! There are plenty of vehicles on the market that let you tower over obstacles without losing the convenience of a compact car. For this article, CoPilot has put together a list of our favorite new sedans with high ground clearance.
10 Sedans With High Ground Clearance in 2024
2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class - 4.2 inches
Let’s start our list with a heavy hitter. Winning Motor Trend’s Car of the Year award, this Mercedes is a beautiful, geeky, luxury vehicle with all the trimmings - AND it won’t bottom out on a bumpy road.
The luxurious interior will make you forget about the gravel beneath your tires, as will the customizable drive mode you can set up for an optimized experience on any terrain. And if you want some more oomph in your drive, ask your dealer for the 4Matic AWD option. Plus, while the standard ground clearance is relatively low (up to 4.2 inches), the AIRMATIC option increases drive height through inflatable air suspension for the “road less traveled.”
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2021 Mazda 3 - 5 inches
Another real winner! The 2021 Mazda 3 won the Car and Driver’s Editor’s Choice Award for Best Compact Car, making it the second blue-ribbon holder on our list of best sedans with high ground clearance.
Reviewers praise this Mazda for its excellent handling, fuel economy, and comfortable cargo. Its 5 inches of ground clearance and firm suspension allow you to practically glide over rougher terrain.
While choosing between trims, you should keep in mind that the base model, while incredibly affordable, is a little on the minimalist side in terms of technology. You’ll still get many safety features like lane departure warning and smart brake support. But upgrading to the Premium trim will add exciting tech like windshield-projected driving display and road sign recognition.
2021 Volkswagen Passat - 5.4 inches
A self-proclaimed family car, the Passat offers many features designed to keep you and your passengers safe and comfortable while on the road.
With techs like automatic windshield wipers and self-dimming rearview mirror, you have less to worry about and can focus on keeping the car on the road. Driver assistance features like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and rear traffic alert help you stay sharp in the pilot’s seat.
And the Volkswagen Car-INet mobile app allows you to help your teenager learn how to be a responsible and safe driver with Family Guardian Alerts. Oh, and the Passat has a superb ground clearance of 5.4 inches.
2021 Volvo S60 - 5.8 inches
Looking at it from the side, you would think that the S60 was standing on tip-toe. A sleek design and 5.8 inches of ground clearance lend themselves to this illusion - and make this Volvo one of the tallest on our list of sedans with high ground clearance.
And this vehicle was truly made to bring you closer to nature, so feel free to take it off-roading once you grab one. Volvo wants drivers to know that the S60 is their most eco-friendly model yet - they even offer a plug-in hybrid version starting at $47,650.
However, this environmentalist also lets you help the planet in style and comfort, complete with features like advanced cabin air filtration and a top-of-the-line speaker system.
THE BEST USED MINIVANS ON THE MARKET
When it comes to hauling a lot of people and cargo, the minivan is hard to beat. We’ve factored in reliability, affordability, and functionality to create this curated list of the 8 best used minivans on the market today.
2021 Volkswagen Beetle Dune - 6.3 inches
Okay, so maybe it’s not technically a sedan, but it is an unusual shape for the amount of ground clearance (6.3 inches! A new high on our list.)
The Dune is still awaiting its 2021 release date. But once it hits the market, this little off-roader will come at a steal unless you go for the ever-popular convertible model, which will cost you $10,000. If you can’t hold your breath that long, you can find pre-owned 2019 Beetles for around $27,685.
2021 Kia Stinger - 5 inches
The all-new stinger GT is styled for both comfort and fun, a luxury cruiser that’s equally at home on dirt tracks. The Stinger comes standard with heated leather seats, a 7-inch touch screen display, smartphone charging, and safety features like blind-spot and forward collision warning.
255 to 365 horsepower and “balanced handling” give you the power and control to feel like a racecar driver in this sedan. And a 5-inch ground clearance and optional AWD mean you can do it on any road.
2021 Dodge Charger - 5.2 inches
Seven different trim options let drivers choose their ideal version of this iconic car. Always sitting 5.2 inches off the ground, your Charger can have either 6 or 8 cylinders, AWD or rear-wheel drive, and GT, SXT, or Pursuit features to make sure you’ll be comfortable sprinting down city streets or taking long cruises on winding highways.
The new Charger is potent and does its best to balance that power with a plush and tech-friendly interior. So this American beast is excellent for the track day, a family road trip, or your everyday commute.
THE BEST USED SUVS UNDER $10,000
We looked into price, reliability, features, and more to create this list of the best used SUVs under $10k on the market today. Take a look - some of the best used SUVs have gone mostly overlooked or forgotten.
2021 Honda Accord - 6.7 inches
A maximum ground clearance of 6.7 inches pushes the Accord almost into SUV territory. This measurement is a testament to the endless versatility of the make. Because, of course, Honda will let you have a practical, stylish, fuel-efficient (38 MPG!) family carrier that can also make it over small boulders without breaking a sweat.
Reviewers also say it’s fun to driveand doesn’t skimp on interior techs like Apple CarPlay OR Android Auto integration. And if you want to bump up the efficiency of this already super-pragmatic car, go for the Hybrid model, which offers a max of 48 MPG on highway and city streets. No wonder the Accord makes it onto Car and Driver’s top 10 list year after year.
2021 Nissan Versa - 6.8 inches
Although SUVs have become the vehicle of choice for many Americans, there’s still plenty of room for budget-friendly subcompact sedans. The 2021 Versa is the same as it’s always been – sensible everyday transportation with decent safety ratings, pleasant driving experience, and top-notch fuel economy.
The 2021 Versa boasts a ground clearance of 6.8 inches, one of the highest ride heights on this list. That’s just a few inches higher than some smaller crossovers like the Buick Encore and Hyundai Kona.
2021 Mazda6 - 6.5 inches
The 2021 Mazda6 doesn’t look like it rides high due to its elegant, high-end design and sporty handling. But it does have a 6.5 inches ground clearance, beating most of the entries on this list. With an introductory price of $24,475, the Mazda6 offers tremendous value with high-end features for your money.
The base Sport trim houses a 187 hp engine, featuring an agreeable driving performance. However, it can be upgraded to a peppier 250 hp turbo engine and 320 lb-ft of torque with premium gas for more power. Unfortunately, the Mazda6 ended its run on the 2021 model, so get it while you can.
Get a Curated List of The Best Used Cars Near You
If you’re looking to buy a sedan with high clearance, CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.
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