I think my XC40 had surprising comfort on the road. My XC60 is a different car. Nicer seats. More driver leg and elbow room. But I’m also pleased with the ride and quietness.

 

I love my XC60 but the ride quality is a low point. It's stiff, bumpy, and unrefined. If you hit rough roads, every bump will make it through to the seat of your pants. Even on smooth roads, it feels a bit nervous to me. I was never a driver who cares much about ride quality so it hasn't detracted from my owner experience.

Sadly, the sports car like ride quality is not matched by sporty handling. It handles like a very good family sedan and is not as fun to drive as something like an X3. Handling on the XC60 is not bad at all but you'd expect that super stiff ride to translate to a fun to drive factor and it doesn't.

The XC60 had other virtues, including the best seats in the class and a gorgeous interior. Ride quality is worst in the class though.

My lease is up this year and I'll like spec the air suspension next time. If ride quality is important to you though, I'd honestly look elsewhere.

I doubt that the upcoming refresh will bring improvements so wouldn't count on that.

 

I find Volvo XC60 with air suspension very comfortable to ride. You might feel the road bumps a bit more than in other cars (e.g. Audi Q5), but the seats are the best in Volvo. I never had any back pain after driving for a prolonged time in XC60, which I cannot say about other cars.

Though, one thing you should be aware is that after about 20000km, I got some strange noise at road bumps coming from the front suspension. The dealer replaced some parts related to suspension under warranty.

I currently drive an XC40 without air suspension and I find it less comfortable than XC60 with or without air suspension. I believe the seats are what make the difference.

 

Air suspension rides much better, but I bought without because it’s much more reliable. Ride is okay; not great, but acceptable.

go test drive and decide if it works for you, or not.

 

I have a 2019 xc 60 T8 without air suspension. Had the exact same car with air suspension as a loaner for a week, and didnt notice really any difference....

 

The air suspension is not a good option for me.

The man clearly wrote: The air suspension is not a good option for me.
I don't understand why you suggest it to him and give an opinion on the air suspension

 

The man clearly wrote: The air suspension is not a good option for me.
I don't understand why you suggest it to him and give an opinion on the air suspension

He did ask for an opinion didn't he?

 

If you're concerned about the comfort level of the XC60 over bumps, you could consider one with 18" wheels & tires. The standard 18" size is 235/60, which is a 1/2" increase in sidewall height over the standard 235/55 tires on 19" wheels (5.6" vs 5.1"). The added sidewall height would soften the bumps a tad.

 

Correct air pressure in the tires too!

 

I agree that wheel and tire size is very important here. I wanted 18 inch wheels originally but also wanted an inscription, so 19 or larger were my only options. The 19’s are not a bad compromise between ride and handling.

 

I drive on 22's with air suspension. It's very comfortable in HYBRID/COMFORT and slightly rough in POWER. Handles great (for an SUV) when you lower it 1 inch.

 

Hi all,
I am looking for an opinion on the comfort of xc60 suspension without air suspension. I am surprised that there is a lot of praise for the xc40 cheaper suspension while xc60's is viewed as ok at best. Are there any improvement in 2021 or the upcoming 2022 model?
The air suspension is not a good option for me.

My wife has a 2019 T5 inscription without the air suspension. When you go over a minor pothole, it is pretty bad. When it is a bigger one, it is jarring to say the least. In my opinion not good at all for the type of car and market it is aimed. We still have another year on the lease…

 

I haven't driven any type of vehicle that handles potholes well...not just a Volvo XC-60.

 

I have air suspension with 20" tires at 37psi (vs recommended 35psi) and agree the noise is louder than my other SUVs when running over rugged surface like a manhole cap or gravel road. It feels like some resonance inside the cabin besides the tire noise outside. Not sure it is because of the tires or bushing or suspension.

 

Ride quality of my 2021 T5 Momentum is rougher than I'd prefer, owing to 20" wheels and L.A.'s generally poor streets. Smaller wheels may offer an improvement.

 

More sidewall on the tire will definitely improve the ride.

 

Always surprises the XC60 is characterized as an unrefined suspension when the S60 rides insanely well. Since the two cars are almost identical, why does the XC60 ride so much worse the the S60? My S60’s ride is one of its best qualities.

 

Always surprises the XC60 is characterized as an unrefined suspension when the S60 rides insanely well. Since the two cars are almost identical, why does the XC60 ride so much worse the the S60? My S60's ride is one of its best qualities.

Are they built on the same platform?

 

I'll preface my comments that suspension is entirely personal. And that I'm very fussy, with a rally and dirt bike background. And for some years was hand building full suspension cottage industry MTB frames commercially using my own patented rear suspension linkage geometry. I tune my own moto suspension, mostly.

Comfort, for me is about suspension control. I don't want a cushy soft ride. I want composure without harsh. This is possible with quality suspension.

For insight, my Ford Focus RS Mk3, is solid in 'Normal' hand harsh in Sport. I never use Sport. The RS was broadly criticised for harsh suspension. Ford did a mid-life retune which is much better. Ford replaced my original car early release (lemon) car at 3yrs & 40,000km with a late build - so I've lived with both tunes. I was hard over going to replace the original dampers. I'm in no rush to replace the Rev2 units until they are worn. Not great, but tolerable.

We almost bypassed the XC60 because dealers only stocked the R Design with air suspension which, while very insulating was also very isolating from the driving feel. Some might like this. We didn't.
Taking a punt, we ordered our XC60 T6 R Design on standard 21" wheel and the mechanical Sport Chassis. We tried to have the dealer swap to 19's because we routinely drive gravel roads. They wouldn't.

I have some 19's with winter tyres - softer but suspension behaviour is the same.

The damper tune on our R Design is quite simply a disaster. Insufficient compression fails to control bump travel causing the suspension to crash through the relatively short travel to the bump stops. This is more pronounced when touring fully loaded with family, rottweiler-doberman roof boot and luggage .

Rebound damping is too quick causing a bounce out of larger bumps. Often rebounding with a corkscrew motion. I don't think, however the spring rates are a problem...

My sister has the XC60 T8 Polestar with adjustable Ohlins fitted. These are absolutely top shelf dampers and transform the vehicle, even with the additional EV weight. They are externally manually adjustable via under bonnet/wheel well knobs. I've cautioned her never to leave her Polestar overnight at my place - It just might not feel quite the same in the morning...

With that said, I had an XC90 T6 on air last week as Volvo Courtesy car while ours received the 30,000km service. This vehicle was vastly more communicative, composed and a fair bit firmer than the 2019 XC60 R Design, Momentum & Inscription, too) we test drove.

Without disregarding the OP comment about air not being an option, I have at times regreted not ordering the air suspension, despite the criticism. It is better than the Sport Chassis.

I've searched extensively aftermarket dampers.
The Ohlins OEM kit is available. They are available after market here Genuine Polestar Ohlins Suspension Kit, Volvo XC60 18+ At US$6150, are a veritable bargin compared to the ~AU$20k quoted through Volvo...but (well) out of my price range.

More recently, Bilstein added B6 to the B4 listing. B6 is sporty, B4 is OEM spec.
I found these in the Bilstein OE catalogue, but NOT the aftermarket catalogue.

BILSTEIN Dealer & Workshop Information - BILSTEIN Workshop

On this page you will find all topics that are important for dealers and workshops. In addition to our current product catalog, we offer information on training courses, product innovations and installation instructions.

workshop.bilstein.com

First production run is scheduled in May but is behind schedule. I have some on order Front
AU$420 each + GST, Rear AU$260 each + GST.

I had B6 dampers on my old Tiguan and they were excellent; firm, well controlled...added grip on asphalt and more gravel. My wife thought they were fine, good even...She likes the RS (amazingly), hated my lowered & stiffened WRX (truthfully, this was fair criticism, it was too hard with insufficient travel and was only good on smooth roads).

I expect they will bring the suspension in-line with the rest of the vehicle and await their delivery with great anticipation.

 

I have the 2021 XC60 with air suspension and 20" rims. And I did pretty extensive test driving with the standard suspension with 20" rims before making a decision. I previously owned the 2020 XC90 without air suspension and with 20" rims. I liked the XC90 ride/handling combination, but that's me - prefer the control of the firmer ride, so long as it isn't harsh, and I didn't feel that the XC90 was harsh. On the XC60 I didn't find a big difference between the normal and air suspension versions, over the roads that I drove during the test - I didn't drive the R design, just Inscriptions. I agree that the air suspension is a bit more isolating. I was unhappy with road noise levels on the XC90, on bad roads. I felt that the XC60 was quieter than the XC90 on bad roads, and that the XC60 on bad roads seemed a bit quieter with air than with non-air. So that's the way that I went. And I happy that I did it this way. As I drive on a greater variety of roads than during my test, I see that the air suspension simply has a more refined feel, and I like it. This car, overall, just feels smoother than my XC90. I won't see the end of the warranty period before trading this car, so I don't have big concerns about air suspension repairs.

 

This is a hard thread to follow.

I take no issues with the suspension, ride quality or handling with my 2019 XC60. All are improved over my 2010 XC60.

 

This is a hard thread to follow.

I take no issues with the suspension, ride quality or handling with my 2019 XC60. All are improved over my 2010 XC60.

Wow. You mean people on the internet have different opinions?

Also, your 2019 XC60 offers an improvement over a vehicle that is ten years older?

Both concepts seen implausible.

When you've been driving Volvos for more than ten years, you likely have a certain "perspective" that may not jive with those of us who aren't necessarily Volvo loyalists.

That's not too say your opinion is worth any less than mine - I'm just pointing out that we all make evaluations based on our perspectives. I suspect that the many owners who are down on Volvo ride quality have different frames of reference than your own.

 

I have had a 2017 XC60, and 2017 V60 and now a 2018 XC60 (All inscription or Platinum trim). I find the suspension to be similar among all of them, The V60 handled the best due to the car platform, but the XC60s aren't particularly harsh. It is definitely much nicer than my sister's Honda minivan! I don't have any complaints about the xc60 suspension. I have also owned MB, Saab and currently have a LR4 with air suspension and none were/are notably better than the Volvo.

 

Hi all,
I am looking for an opinion on the comfort of xc60 suspension without air suspension. I am surprised that there is a lot of praise for the xc40 cheaper suspension while xc60's is viewed as ok at best. Are there any improvement in 2021 or the upcoming 2022 model?
The air suspension is not a good option for me.

I have a 2015 XC60 with 88k miles; recently went on 1100 mile vacation; stopped every two to three hours to swap driving with wife and stretch our legs; I found the car to be comfortable. This was 90% highway driving and the rest gravel roads touring a canyon.

 

Hi all,
I am looking for an opinion on the comfort of xc60 suspension without air suspension. I am surprised that there is a lot of praise for the xc40 cheaper suspension while xc60's is viewed as ok at best. Are there any improvement in 2021 or the upcoming 2022 model?
The air suspension is not a good option for me.

Test drove one yesterday and was surprised by how nice it rides.

 

I had a 2018 XC60 R design with the air suspension. The ride quality was the worse feature about the car. The lack of dampening and pounding over rough surfaces even with the 19” wheels was disappointing. I had loaner vehicles, non R with the regular suspension, which we much more comfortable. My opinion is also shared by “savagesse“ an online reviewer who provides a lot of commentary on Volvo. He recommends people skip the air suspension option. I am now driving the XC40 which I find to be a more enjoyable and engaging vehicle for me. I do miss the seats, the quieter interior and added cargo space of the XC60, though.

 

I'm honestly not following what you are reacting to here.

Here is your post which followed mine:

"So how can you make a statement that I'm wrong yet now you say the complete opposite since you admit you don't know! Where you just trying to start an argument? What the hey dude! Don't make a negative comment about my post if you aren't even talking about "all SUVs" such as I was."

I really have no idea what you are angry about here.

The earlier poster argued that most SUVs and CARS within brand share platforms. Your counterpoint was not all cars and suvs share platforms. You are both correct but who cares? This is a thread about ride comfort. What's the relevance? You are derailing a thread over a point nobody disagrees with you on.

PS I envy the M-B Wagon on order, sweet ride!

 

I'm honestly not following what you are reacting to here. I thought there was some disagreement about an earlier poster's claim that SUVS and SEDANs within brand tend to share platforms (which is true). I don't know what that has to do with the difference between MOST and ALL and I honestly think there is a silly argument about semantics here. I'm pretty sure all of us understand the situation with modern SUVs and I'm not even sure who you are disagreeing with and about what. Either way, doesn't really involve me and I don't care to argue about wording with you.

PS I envy the M-B Wagon on order, sweet ride!

Maybe if you read though all my comments you will understand.

 

I don't have to read, Tdoug1. I agree with you and I should have stayed out of it to start. I apologize for sidetracking the conversation and will stay out of the back and forth between you guys.

 

Hmmm...
It does getting hot in here.. Wasnt a forum supposed to be a dynamic platform so that we can share ideas and opinions..? As a new member, i am kinda confuse now. I didnt expect participants in this forum to bashed up each other. Gross..

 

After a disappointing 'no news, unlikely before end of winter, fronts only on the slow boat...' Bilstein Australia messaged me the have a surprise air-freight delivery last Thursday with a full set of B6 dampers. Domestic freight had them at home by Monday afternoon. Rears went in that night and fronts on Tuesday night. Finished by 22:30hrs. Would take half that now I know a bit about working on Volvos. I'd compliment the engineers & designers - they are properly, nicely engineered machines.

The result?
Simply transformational!

Firm (quite) without harsh. No complaints from SWMBO. Tick!.

Bump, crash bounce? Cured.

Steers precisely. Stays on-line regardless of bump or camber...even on 19" snow tyres. Feels hundreds of kg's lighter.

I can't wait to drive it on a poor dirt road...but we just went into COVID lockdown for who knows how long. Skiing is cancelled, perhaps for the remaining winter?

If you like your R Design to handle like and R should, Bilstein B6 are both affordable and real.

 

That's awesome news. Mine are coming on a boat (thanks for the referral) so I've got a bit of time still but glad they're clearly through production and most importantly they sound like a good addition.

 

You have correct numbers.

From my invoice:
19-313115 2.00 VOLVO XC60 II (246) FRT B6 AU$490.00
24-287487 2.00 VOLVO XC60 II (246) RR B6 AU$340.00

PKW

web1.carparts-cat.com

 

Thanks!
Have you managed to check new suspension on bad roads? How does it handle?