I tested non-air XC60 before buying, and finally decided to bet and buy an air-suspension car (without testing). With my car, as a kind of dissapointment, the ride is not smoother at all. Actually, air suspension is similar (if not harder) to the regular one. Noticeable differences are:

- Possibility to rise the vehicle. Very important for off-ride trips.
- Possibility to lower the vehicle for highways. Not so important, hardly noticeable.
- Totally horizontal chassis under any circumstance, either acceleration, hard braking or tight cornering. Interesting, but does not change your life.

So, unless your are really fan of off-road outing, I would not recommend you to buy a second air suspension.

 

Good observations but your last sentence, in my opinion, is very inaccurate. There is a marked difference between a car with and one without air suspension; less so in the XC60 and more noticeable in the XC90. When the road is not perfect, the air suspension will absorb virtually all road imperfections. It's not the end of the world, not having it nor is the XC60 riding badly without it. However, if one can fit it in the budget and/or can find an XC60 with that feature it is worth considering even if you never take the car off roading.

 

I just came from a 2016 XC90 T6 without Air to an XC60 T8 R-Design with Air. Of your course, I am not the exactly what you are looking for however here are my 2 cents. The XC60 with Air is much smoother the 2016 XC90 without Air. The Air Suspension in XC60 really rolls over bumps and can be tightened up when in Dynamic or Power.

One very important thing to note is if you are looking at the XC60 R-Design without air you will have a 30% stiffer coils and a different type of Damper then other trims.

 

I think air suspension helps smooth out road bumps and noise, also gives you mainly two stiffness.
The stiffer, the harder damper, the higher is road noise, and vise versa.

Tire pressure also affects feeling of road surface and noise.
When tire pressure is 37-38psi on XC60, air suspension is much smoother than 39-40psi.

XC60 coil suspension is much softer so the difference between coil and air is not big. I don't like the soft riding and extra swings because of less damper. But air suspension allows me to choose sporty stiffness.

 

Some of us have more sensitive tushes. As a true seat-of-the-pants-pilot I think the air suspension is da bomb.
Most of the many reviews I’ve read agree. But it is subjective.

 

I did exactly that, driving two XC60’s back-to-back. I first drove a T5 without air suspension. I noted each bump and rough surface. I then immediately jumped into a T8 with air suspension and drove over the exact same roads. The major bumps, while still noticeable, were muted. The rough roads, in some cases, ceased to exist; in others, the muffling effect was pronounced. I was sold. I bought my T8 with air suspension and am very happy. It is well worth the money.

 

Obvioulsy there are different "ass sensitivities" regarding riding quality. Perhaps I may further clarify my experience: On regular driving, by good or reasonaby bad roads the difference in riding quality is hardly noticeable. What I can say for sure is that air suspension is NOT softer than the regular one; unfortunately, this was the reason why I bought it :-( .

Nevertheless, on really bad roads air suspension behaves better, the difference now is more noticeable. In my country, it is difficult to find such bad roads, unless you leave the national-regional road network and try near-offroad paths. In this case, and of course for real off-road, air suspension is clearly superior

As I mentioned previously, the feeling of a horizontal car no matter what you do is also nice. But is it worth the price? Depends on your budget and options you dismiss because of the air suspension.

So, for an illimited budget, I would recommend to buy air suspension. If you have limited budget and do not plan a heavy bad-road use, I think you can save the money, or better invest it in other options.

Would I buy it again, if I had the possibility?: No. I made my bet but never got what I wished: a softer riding :-(

EDIT. I forgot to say that tyres pressure is a factor with a great effect indeed. Moving from normal to ECO pressures the car becomes much harsher. I don't know how much gas you can save with ECO pressures, I'd like to know.

 

Ride quality and feel is incredibly subjective, so you really need to test drive one to see what you think. For us, the standard springs didn't feel great, but the air suspension was bliss. Others on this board feel completely the opposite way. Nobody is right and nobody is wrong, since it's such a personal feeling.

Here are what some professional reviewers have to say:

Car and Driver
During our ride, we looked for signs of improvement in the XC60's ride quality, which previously could be most charitably described as "firm." Despite riding on 20-inch wheels, the air-sprung 2018 XC60 was notably more comfortable, without a hint of floppiness or squish

NY Daily News
Our test vehicle had the air suspension, and in Normal mode, it provided a smooth, supple ride quality

JD Power
Even when placed in Dynamic drive mode, the suspension is biased toward soft comfort rather than taut athleticism

Cars.com
The XC60's ride quality, with its optional air suspension and adjustable firmness, recalls the XC90: firm but not uncomfortable.

Autoweek
The suspension is geared toward comfort, and despite the impressive wheel size the suspension soaks up just about everything our neglected roads can throw at it (test vehicle had air suspension)

 

As with any other topic, we're always sure to have professional and personal individual opinions... When looking for input, I've always found it on these boards and gratefully, I've always considered the myriad of opinions, but the bottom line is that it comes down to and becomes an individual choice and based on my circumstances, I've made them... This one was to ride with the air-suspension!

 

Hi all, I'm down under and have a xc60 Inscription D4, comfort seats. I got the air suspension after driving both (with and without) built to the same specs. I love the air suspension!
However it did fail after about 1400klm, needed a new compressor. Even with the failure I'd wouldn't hesitate to make the same choice. I agree completely that it's down to your own perception and feel (and maybe the size of your bum).

Nobody has mentioned the seats, they may also make a very big difference to the feel... sports seats v comfort seats, again all down to the individual choices and combinations..
Comfort seats plus standard suspension, sport seats with air suspension or vice versa a big change to the feel I think.

For me it's a plus with it!
Cheers to all, David

 

I drove the old XC60 D5 Summum with normal suspension back to back with the XC60 T8 R LINE with air suspension. Have had little time in the T8 yet. It feels like the T8 is much stiffer even in hybrid and pure mode. Actually my parents complained that it is too stiff. Well the wheels affect the situation also, previous was 18, now 19 inch. Bigger wheels will be more uncomfortable, but sporty. Plus sides are (especially for older people) that the car lowers itself to get in. On the down side, every car I have owned with air suspension has had a fault.

Does anyone know if the pure mode or hybrid mode suspensions are softer? For some reason it felt like hybrid was softer to me. Trying to configure individual mode.

 

In Pure mode, the car is lower and suspension travel is less than hybrid mode. Hence it is stiffer, I think. Tire pressure is the first thing to check if you feel it is stiffer in a XC60 T8. At 37-38psi it should be quite comfortable. 40psi then you really feel the difference. I even feel the side swing is too much because damper seems only very little and it takes several swings to stabilize.

Sent from my Z978 using Tapatalk

 

The other element in play here is weight when comparing to T8 cars as the T8s are considerably heavier. The damper tuning may be different on those cars as a result...would be interesting to see if they have different part numbers.

 

My thoughts: Since I'm planning on staying with my XC90 for at least 6-7 years, I do not want any expensive repairs later on with the air suspension, so that option went right out the window. It's great if you're leasing I would think, but for a purchase I'd stay away.

 

Tested an XC60 without air prior to purchase and was impressed. However bought with air.
All reports overall state there’s not much difference. I find air sloppy with reduce road feel. Next XC60 will be without as I intend keeping it a long time and have been warned about future costs on the air system. Need to change soon to avoid the hybrid electric rubbish.

 

My wife and I test drove one with air suspension. We ordered one without. Very pleased with our decision.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

We test drove a 2018 XC-90 T6 Inscription with air suspension and one without before we decided to get the one with air back then. Fast forward to now and my wife decided to downsize so we recently ordered a 2021 XC-60 T-6 w/air suspension through the OSD program. You get a nice discount this way too! There is just enough difference to us that the extra $$$ spent was justified. What is really nice, at highway speeds the vehicle lowers so you get a little better fuel mileage or you can lower it anytime by using the Dynamic mode. My money - my choice! Your money - your choice so do whatever makes you happy.