Every vehicle you have listed besides the Volvos are mid size passenger cars. The xc90 is a relatively large and heavy SUV. The amount damping and springs required to control to body of a vehicle this heavy makes a huge difference. The xc60 rides better because it is smaller. Even while air suspension helps some, it’s still dealing with a large heavy suv.

Now, you can tune an SUV to be more forgiving and floaty. Doing it while maintaining the level of body control required to pass a moose test is not going to be possible without some very expensive active suspension, more than just a simple air suspension.

Of note, the Volvos are some of the only vehicles that don’t make my wife feel seasick in the car precisely because they have excellent body control, unlike many SUVs.

 

Every vehicle you have listed besides the Volvos are mid size passenger cars. The xc90 is a relatively large and heavy SUV. The amount damping and springs required to control to body of a vehicle this heavy makes a huge difference. The xc60 rides better because it is smaller. Even while air suspension helps some, it’s still dealing with a large heavy suv.

Now, you can tune an SUV to be more forgiving and floaty. Doing it while maintaining the level of body control required to pass a moose test is not going to be possible without some very expensive active suspension, more than just a simple air suspension.

Of note, the Volvos are some of the only vehicles that don’t make my wife feel seasick in the car precisely because they have excellent body control, unlike many SUVs.

It makes sense, and as I said before, what I think and what others think about the Volvo ride quality will be different.
Last weekend I asked my neighbor to drive his 2022 Hyundai Palisade, which is the same size as my XC90, and then I drove in my brother's Toyota tundra (pickup truck). None of those vehicles were as harsh going over the same bumps I drive on my xc90. I understand Volvo SUV's need to pass the moose and rabbits test, but I think Volvo engineers would do something (besides expensive active suspension) to improve the feedback from the rear suspension.
Again, this thread was not meant to complain about the ride quality but get feedback from people who have done something about it. I will be adding some road noise and shock-observant material around the rear wheel to see if it helps.

 

Nope, because most people find it rides very nice. Lots of people don't want the washed out jap/domestic feel. But you also got the sports seats in your cars... those are much firmer than some other options too. Plus they're SUVs not cars as mentioned above.

 

I previously owned a Toyota 4Runner and let me tell you my Volvo XC90 rides like a dream in comparison. I have zero issues with the ride or suspension. I just don’t understand the level of bitching and moaning i sometimes read on this board - I cannot think of a single item I have in my life that is perfect. So why would your car be perfect? I am thankful for everything about my Volvo and quite blessed to own it!

 

I understand what you are saying, but you missed the purpose of my thread. If you are satisfied with the ride quality of your Volvo, I'm happy for you. Other drivers may feel the same as I do and improved what you call "a dream ride"

 

Yea, it’s the wheels and lack of sidewall, plus the R-Design sport suspension.

 

Hello OP. I am here to whole-heartedly agree with your sentiments and to try and join you in your how-to-fix-the-suspension-of-my-XC90 research. If I am not able to fix it, then I will be selling it and getting an X7. I drive in to NYC every day and every pothole hurts my soul.

Have you found anything yet? If not, I'm happy to help research. I honestly can't recall if I bought the air suspension so I guess that is my first task.

 

If what I am going to tell you helps you decide whether you should get the X7 or not, here it is. I've been looking for ways to minimize the thumb kick harsh suspension feedback on my XC90 going over road imperfection, nothing too luxurious, just something that will soften the ride a little, but I found NOTHING! And Volvo community response was, 'Accept it or leave it.'
I test-drove the brand-new XC90 with air suspension two weeks ago, and then, just for the heck of it test drove the X7 (the BMW dealership was just across the street). Long story long, I was impressed by the technology BMW has in their X7's, the ride quality in 'Comfort' mode on X7, I kid you not, is almost like all of my happy dreams married each other and had perfect babies.
Driving my new X7 on the same road I drove my XC90 and going over the same bumps on the road, my muscle memory was telling me, "prepare for the impact; it's going to hurt a little bit," but NO, BMW goes over the same bump so smoothly that I laugh now, seriously, like a crazy person. And to mention, the price for the new X7 is almost identical to the XC90.

 

.

 

Yeah the 2021 XC90 is a rough ride and uncontrollable at times on 20" rims. Bottoms out a lot. I'm looking for solutions as well.

 

Yeah the 2021 XC90 is a rough ride and uncontrollable at times on 20" rims. Bottoms out a lot. I'm looking for solutions as well.

 

Car is a very Rough Ride. I lowered the tire pressure to 37 but it's only somewhat better. The new 2023 Volvo XC90 rides way better. Every bump is felt big or small. Bottoms out a lot on a very bumpy street. It isn't your imagination. I have a 2021 Volvo XC90 bought brand new and it has always been that way. I have older Volvo that are light years ahead of this suspension in terms of comfort. The handling is amazing though very reactive and it sticks. So I'm guessing Volvo traded out the ride quality for performance.

 

Do you think the different drive modes would help at all? Should we add shocks?

 

The shock is the same part number as the new model but the new model rides WAY better. It's like night and day.

 

I would certainly say that you ought to either look at the suspension condition of your XC90, or change the wheels for smaller ones if they are some of the absolutely enormous ones. The XC90 is, and should be one of the most luxurious, squishy-riding cars on the planet - it can easily cope with our rubbish British roads and takes all lumps and deep potholes in its stride.