Toyota Highlander Ground Clearance: What To Know
2020 Toyota Highlander by Kevauto — CC BY-SA 4.0
Ground clearance is the minimum distance between the ground and the lower part of your vehicle’s body. It is also referred to as ride height. Vehicle manufacturers provide it as a measurement when the vehicle is without any load.
As with most mid-size crossover SUVs, ground clearance is an important detail. This is because it allows the vehicle to move over bumpy roads without causing damage to its underbelly. In today’s post, we’ll tell you about the Toyota Highlander ground clearance and provide more information about it.
Toyota Highlander Ground Clearance
The Toyota Highlander is currently in its fourth generation, and the 2021 model year is available in five trims – L, LE, XLE, Limited, and Platinum. Furthermore, all trims have a ground clearance of 8 inches. The same applies to model years 2012 to 2020.
If you look at previous versions of the Toyota Highlander, we see an increase in ground clearance since the vehicle was first brought into the market in 2000. As more crossovers started to hit the streets, consumers became more aware of the benefits of having a higher-mounted vehicle.
Here’s a breakdown of all the changes that have occurred with the Toyota Highlander ground clearance over the years.
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How Does the Toyota Highlander Compare to its Competitors?
The Toyota Highlander competes against several mid-size crossover SUVs from other car manufacturers. These include the Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Nissan Pathfinder, Kia Telluride, Mazda CX-9, and Volkswagen Atlas. Here’s how these models compare to the Toyota Highlander’s ground clearance.
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As seen above, the Mazda CX-9 and the Ford Explorer have a higher ground clearance when compared to the Toyota Highlander. The former rides at 8.8 inches above the ground while the latter rides at 8.2 inches. This means that the two vehicles would perform better on thick snow and bumpy roads.
This is thanks to the increased vertical room for the wheels to absorb road shocks. It also means that the two vehicles would perform better on uneven roads where scraping the undercarriage is a risk.
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The Kia Telluride and Volkswagen Atlas are available with the same amount of ground clearance when put beside the Toyota Highlander. At 8.0 inches high, the two vehicles would have the same capability as the Highlander regarding moving over rough terrain and bumpy roads.
The last three models that compete against the Toyota Highlander include the Honda Pilot, Chevrolet Traverse, and Nissan Pathfinder. As seen, they all sit lower towards the ground. It’s worth noting that the Chevrolet Traverse has a ground clearance of 7.51 inches.
However, this applies to all trims apart from the L model. The L model rides at the height of 7.2 inches. Lastly, the Honda Pilot claims 7.3 inches, while the Nissan Pathfinder claims 7.0 inches.
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Activities That You Can Do With The Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander is built to be a family-friendly and functional SUV. It has good road manners, outstanding reliability, and frugal gas mileage. It can last more than 200,000 miles, depending on your driving habits, maintenance, and condition of parts.
The Highlander is not designed as an off-road machine like the Jeep Wrangler. It is more suited for daily commutes. However, it still comes with adequate capacity for off-road driving. This is primarily thanks to the 8-inches of ground clearance.
Here are some of the activities you can do with the Toyota Highlander.
Light-duty towing
The Toyota Highlander has a maximum towing capacity of about 5,000 lbs. This is, of course, when it’s properly equipped. You can pull a small camper, trailer, and different equipment designed for the outdoors. If you’d like more cargo and gear space, you can include a roof rack.
Off-road capability
The increased ground clearance in the Toyota Highlander helps prevent the undercarriage from rubbing against obstacles and debris when driving on bumpy and rough terrain. It also allows for a better and smoother ride. The Highlander is also available with a dynamic torque-control all-wheel-drive system to make off-roading easier for the owner.
Driving in snow and rain
In addition to the Toyota Highlander’s ground clearance, buyers enjoy optimum stability and traction when driving in rain and snow. This is courtesy of the AWD system, designed to give you the control and confidence you need. It has different driving modes for mud, rock, sand, and more. Just remember also to fit the right set of tires for such conditions.
Does a High Ground Clearance Matter?
At 8 inches, the Toyota Highlander has a reasonably decent ground clearance and a competitive ride height in the segment. Aside from the obvious outdoor and off-road applications, does a high ground clearance matter?
Well, there are plenty of advantages to higher ground clearance.
For starters, a vehicle with a higher ride height tends to be safer. Vehicles with high ground clearance like the Highland tend to have more presence on the road. Therefore, you’ll be less likely to be caught off-guard by dangerous situations due to someone not seeing you. It’s just a fact that a bigger vehicle is more visible on the road.
Also, having a higher ride height means you’ll have a more comfortable and pleasant driving experience. Due to your elevated ride height, you’ll be able to see the road better, which doesn’t just make you safe but make you feel more, at least as well. In addition, vehicles with high ground clearance will also have larger tires and an enhanced suspension system. This means your vehicle can absorb shocks and bumps on the road, allowing a smoother, less bumpy ride.
Conclusion
The average ground clearance for a mid-size crossover SUV ranges between 6 and 8 inches. This means that Toyota Highlander fairs quite well in its market segment. For shorter individuals, it provides increased visibility and presence. It’s difficult for someone not to see you driving on the road while you’re inside your Highlander.
Suppose you’re the type to bounce over curbs while trying to park your car. In that case, you’ll appreciate the Toyota Highlander ground clearance, which makes the vehicle more resilient to potential underside damage. In the end, this translates to fewer accidents and more control.
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