Comparison
Ground Clearance, Approach Angles and Water Fording: 2027 Jeep and Ram
Lowest and highest ground clearance, approach, breakover and departure angles and fording depth for each 2027 Jeep and Ram, by tire or suspension setting.
By the New England CDJR editorsUpdated November 8, 20267 min read
A plow ridge across the end of a driveway, a drift between two ruts on a Vermont dirt road, a frost-heaved dip on a town road: they all ask the same few numbers of a vehicle. Here is each 2027 Jeep and Ram with its lowest and highest listed clearance and angles. The Wrangler runs 9.7 to 12.9 inches of ground clearance, the Grand Cherokee 8.4 to 11.4, the Ram 1500 6.1 to 11.8, and the Ram 2500 11.1 to 14.2.
Those ranges are wide because the manufacturer lists a figure per tire package, suspension height or skid plate, not one number per model. The sections below show what drives each end of the range. Where the 2027 sheet has no values, the nearest model year is used and labelled.
Minimum and maximum by model
| Model, year | Ground clearance (in) | Approach (deg) | Breakover (deg) | Departure (deg) | Water fording (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wrangler 2027 | 9.7 to 12.9 | 41.4 to 47.4 | 20.3 to 32.4 | 35.9 to 40.4 | 30 to 34.0 |
| Gladiator 2027 | 10 to 12.9 | 40.8 to 46.7 | 18.4 to 23.3 | 25 to 26.7 | None listed |
| Grand Cherokee 2027 | 8.4 to 11.4 | 20.5 to 35.9 | 18.6 to 24.4 | 26.0 to 30.3 | None listed |
| Compass 2027 | 8.1 to 8.6 | 16.1 to 30.4 | 22.5 to 23.6 | 31.4 to 34.0 | None listed |
| Cherokee 2027 (Trailhawk only) | 9.0 | 28.8 | 21.9 | 31.8 | None listed |
| Grand Wagoneer 2026 | 7.4 to 10.1 | 21.4 to 25.2 | 18.6 to 22.0 | 21.2 to 24.0 | None listed |
| Recon 2026 | 9.1 | 33.8 | 23.3 | 33.1 | None listed |
| Wagoneer S 2025 | 6.4 | 19.2 | 14.0 | 23.4 | None listed |
| Ram 1500 2027 | 6.1 to 11.8 | 14.4 to 31.0 | 13.0 to 22.9 | 18.6 to 25.2 | None listed |
| Ram 2500 2027 | 11.1 to 14.2 | 18.7 to 29.4 | 19.1 to 23.9 | 22.5 to 29.9 | None listed |
| Ram 3500 2027 | 10.2 to 13.3 | 16.6 to 23.3 | 17.3 to 25.2 | 21.2 to 25.7 | None listed |
| Ram Chassis Cab 2027 | 12.4 to 13.7 | 20.4 to 25.8 | 17.1 to 22.6 | 25.1 to 28.2 | None listed |
The Grand Wagoneer has no 2027 clearance rows, so 2026 stands in. The Recon exists only as a 2026 sheet. The Wagoneer S has pages for 2024 through 2026; its clearance figures appear on the 2024 (Launch Edition) and 2025 sheets with identical values and not on a 2026 sheet, so 2025 is shown. The research data lists no clearance or angle rows for the ProMaster City in 2027 or the ProMaster in 2026. The 2027 Cherokee sheet gives numbers only for the Trailhawk, so the other Cherokee trims have none to show, and no Trailhawk appears among the 2027 Cherokee configurations in the Build & Price data. The 2026 and 2025 rows are not 2027 specs.
Wrangler: the tire package decides
The Wrangler sheet gives one column per tire, and the clearance rises with the tire.
| Tire (standard on) | Clearance (in) | Approach | Breakover | Departure | Fording (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 245/75R17 (Sport) | 9.7 | 41.4 | 25 (2‑door); 20.3 (4‑door) | 35.9 (2‑door); 36.1 (4‑door) | 30 |
| 255/70R18 (Sahara) | 10 | 41.8 | 21 | 36.1 | 30 |
| LT285/70R17 (Rubicon) | 10.8 | 44 (2‑door); 43.9 (4‑door) | 27.8 (2‑door); 22.6 (4‑door) | 37 | 31.5 |
| LT315/70R17 (Moab 392; optional on Rubicon) | 12.9 (4‑door); 12.6 (2‑door); 11.1 (Moab 392) | 47.4 (4‑door); 47.2 (2‑door); 46.7 (Moab 392) | 26.7 (4‑door); 32.4 (2‑door); 24.5 (Moab 392) | 40.4; 39.8 (Moab 392) | 34.0 |
Fording is almost a Wrangler-only number in the research data. The same sheet lists 30 to 34.0 inches for 2026 and 2027. The 2025 sheet also spans 30 to 34.0, with the 4xe versions topping out at 31.5. The research data has no fording row for the Gladiator, Grand Cherokee, Ram 1500 or Ram 3500 in any year; the only Ram row is 2017's Ram 2500 at 30 inches. Those figures are manufacturer ratings, not an invitation to test a flooded dip.
Gladiator
| Tire | Clearance (in) | Approach | Breakover | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 245/75R17 (Sport) | 10 | 40.8 | 18.4 | 25 |
| 255/75R17C (Willys) | 10 | 40.8 | 18.4 | 25 |
| LT285/70R17 (Mojave) | 11.6 | 44.7 | 20.9 | 25.5 |
| LT285/70R17 (Rubicon) | 11.1 | 43.4 | 20.3 | 26 |
| LT315/70R17 (35‑inch tire package) | 12.9 | 46.7 | 23.3 | 26.7 |
Set against the Wrangler, the Gladiator's breakover angle tops out at 23.3 degrees versus 32.4 on the two-door Wrangler (26.7 on the four-door), and its departure at 26.7 versus 40.4. Both reach the same 12.9 inches of clearance, so the gap is in the angles. That is the comparison to make if your driveway ends in a steep lip.
Grand Cherokee, Compass, Cherokee, Grand Wagoneer, Recon
| Vehicle and setting | Clearance (in) | Approach | Breakover | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Cherokee 2027, standard suspension | 8.4 | 20.5 | 19.1 | 26.6 |
| Grand Cherokee 2027, air suspension Pos#2 | 10.9 | 30.1 (Overland); 28.2 (Summit) | 24 | not listed |
| Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 2027, standard position | 8.5 | 28.2 | 18.6 | 26.0 |
| Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 2027, Off Road Position #2 | 11.4 | 35.9 | 24.4 | 30.3 |
| Compass 2027, 4x4 | 8.1 | 16.1 (with air dam) | 22.5 | 31.4 |
| Compass 2027, Trailhawk 4x4 | 8.6 | 30.4 | 23.6 | 34.0 |
| Cherokee 2027, Trailhawk | 9.0 | 28.8 | 21.9 | 31.8 |
| Grand Wagoneer 2026, standard suspension | 7.4 | 21.4 | 18.6 | 21.2 |
| Grand Wagoneer 2026, air suspension Off Road 2 | 10.1 | 25.2 | 22.0 | 24.0 |
| Recon 2026 | 9.1 | 33.8 | 23.3 | 33.1 |
The Compass shows how much one setup can move a number: its approach angle goes from 16.1 degrees on the 4x4 with its air dam to 30.4 on the Trailhawk. The Grand Cherokee sheet names Overland and Summit for the air suspension angles, though Overland is not among the 2027 trims in the Build & Price data. The Grand Wagoneer's 275/55R20 tire is the one named for its clearance figures.
Ram 1500
| Build, 2027 | Clearance (in) | Approach | Breakover | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quad Cab 4x2, 275/55R20 | 8.3 | 17.9 | 19.4 | 20.9 |
| Quad Cab 4x4, 275/55R20 | 8.7 (8.1 with skid plate) | 18.8 | 19.8 | 20.7 |
| Quad Cab 4x4, 285/45R22 or 305/50R20 (late availability) | 8.2 | 23.1 | 20.8 | 19.6 |
| Quad Cab air suspension, 325/40R22, normal height | 8.1 | 16.6 | 19.4 | 19.2 |
| Crew Cab 5 ft. 7 in. box, air suspension, entry/exit to Off Road 2 | 6.7 to 10.7 | 14.6 to 23.3 | 16.1 to 22.9 | 18.6 to 22.8 |
| Crew Cab 6 ft. 4 in. box, air suspension, entry/exit to Off Road 2 | 6.6 to 10.6 | 14.4 to 23.1 | 16.3 to 22.2 | 18.6 to 22.8 |
| Crew Cab 4x4, RHO and TRX SRT | 11.8 (with skid plate) | 31.0 | 21.8 | 25.2 |
Breakover and clearance figures are without a skid plate unless stated. The air suspension is where the range comes from. The same Crew Cab sits at 6.7 inches in its lowest entry/exit setting and 10.7 in Off Road 2, with the skid plate trimming roughly half an inch off each. The 6.1‑inch clearance low and the 13.0-degree breakover low in the summary table are both that entry/exit position with a skid plate fitted, and the 11.8‑inch high belongs to the RHO and TRX SRT.
Ram 2500 and 3500
One heavy-duty sheet covers both trucks. These are the 2500 sections.
| 2500 body | Clearance 4x2 / 4x4 (in) | Approach 4x2 / 4x4 | Breakover 4x2 / 4x4 | Departure 4x2 / 4x4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Cab, 8 ft. box | 13 / 13.1 | 18.8 / 22.8 | 20.8 / 23.9 | 22.9 / 29.9 |
| Crew Cab, 6 ft. 4 in. box | 11.1 / 13.1 | 18.8 / 22.9 | 20.3 / 23.9 | 23.6 / 25.8 |
| Crew Cab, 8 ft. box | 11.1 / 13.1 | 18.7 / 23.2 | 19.1 / 22.7 | 22.5 / 24.7 |
| Mega Cab, 6 ft. 4 in. box | not listed / 13.1 | not listed / 23.3 | not listed / 23.2 | not listed / 25.7 |
| Power Wagon and Rebel Crew Cab, 4x4 | 14.2 (13.2 diesel) | 29.4 (26.1 diesel) | 22 (20.6 diesel) | 26 |
For the 3500, the Regular Cab with the 8-ft. box lists 11.2 inches on 4x2 and 13.3 on 4x4, falling to 10.6 and 12.4 with dual rear wheels. The 8-ft. Crew Cab lists 11.2 on 4x2 and 11.5 on 4x4, or 10.2 and 12.3 as a dual-rear-wheel truck. The 3500 Mega Cab has no clearance figure. On the Ram Chassis Cab sheet, the 3500 sections list 12.4 to 13.7 inches of clearance and the 4500 and 5500 sections list 13.5 to 13.7.
How to check your own vehicle
Because the figures move with tires, suspension setting and skid plates, the build matters more than the nameplate. Put your VIN through the VIN decoder to confirm which build you have, then open the model-year page and the spec explorer to compare two builds. If a model-year page has no clearance row, that is the research data's gap, not a zero.
