Learn All About the Volvo Air Suspension System

Guide to Volvo Active Air Suspension

If you're anything like us, you want to get the most bang for your buck when you're buying a new car or SUV. While you need to stay within your budget, you also crave all the bells and whistles that help make every day's commute that much more tolerable. That leads to a common conundrum for Volvo owners: is it worth going up in trim levels to add the air suspension? In a word, yes.

Let's use the current Volvo XC90 as an example of the costs involved, since it's long been offered with the four-corner air suspension as an available option. First, you'll need to choose the top-of-the-line Ultimate trim, which starts at $71,395 (compared to the introductory Core model's MSRP of $57,895). Then you'll need to add the Active Air Suspension as an option, tacking on another $1,800. We understand that another $15,000 or so isn't a small sum, even considering the added luxury appointments that come standard on the Ultimate model; so, why, exactly, is active air suspension worth the money? Read on.

Why Air Suspension Versus Traditional Suspension?

The standard suspension has fixed-firmness dampers and fixed-ride height springs. That means you're more likely to rumble and bounce over uneven road surfaces as you're driving, putting more stress on the suspension system -- and leading you to experience more discomfort and fatigue due to the noise, vibrations, and harsh travel conditions.

Air suspension, in general, provides a smoother ride. They allow your vehicle to "glide" over any bumps, limiting the severity of any impacts and vibrations you encounter when you're traveling. They can be adjusted to suit road conditions and match your preferred driving style, so every drive is more enjoyable. Since they also distribute strain more evenly across the vehicle's suspension components, they spread out the wear and tear and extending your suspension system's longevity.

What's Special About the Volvo Active Air Suspension?

The active chassis in a Volvo active air suspension is self-adapting, adjusting your ride height automatically and adapting each shock absorber to the current road surface and driving conditions. When you're driving at higher speeds, the air suspension automatically lowers your vehicle to add more stability and reduce drag. For easier loading and unloading, a simple push of a button lowers the rear end.

There are five driver-selectable modes, accessed through the Sensus vehicle function screen:

• Eco mode is designed to deliver the most efficient drive
• Comfort mode is meant for everyday use
• Individual mode allows you to personalize the settings to suit your preferences
• Dynamic mode Sport mode tightens the shocks while lowering the ride height to make your vehicle more responsive when cornering
• Off-Road mode lifts the vehicle to improve ground clearance -- making it easier to avoid debris and sudden bumps in the terrain

We Sell The Genuine Volvo Suspension Parts You Need

You can see why so many Volvo owners step up to the comfort and versatility that active air suspension offers. Of course, like any suspension system, eventually parts can go bad. To continue enjoying a bespoke driving environment, you want to be sure to choose the parts that Volvo designed specifically for your model. We have everything you need in stock, offered at discounted prices, and ready to ship to your home.