How Good Is the Ride in a Volvo XC90?

Ask ten Volvo XC90 owners how the ride feels, and you might get ten different answers — some calling it cloud-like luxury, others describing every pothole like a personal insult. So which one is true?

TL;DR:

• The optional air suspension is widely praised as smooth and controlled, even on rough roads
• The standard suspension has a mixed reputation — some owners call it firm or harsh, especially with larger wheels
• Volvo updated the base suspension for the 2025.5 model year, with reviewers split on whether it actually improved things
• Cabin quietness is a near-universal strength, regardless of which suspension you have
• The XC90 prioritizes comfort over sharp handling, unlike sportier rivals like the BMW X5

Short answer: The ride is genuinely excellent with the optional air suspension, and merely decent — sometimes stiff — on the standard setup. If ride comfort is your top priority, don’t skip the test drive on base suspension before you decide.

Is the Volvo XC90’s Ride Actually Smooth?

It depends heavily on which suspension you’re sitting on. With the available air suspension, dampers can make adjustments up to 500 times per second, nearly eliminating everything but the worst bumps in the road.

One reviewer testing the setup on rough Wisconsin back roads noted that even crossing railroad tracks at speed didn’t disturb the SUV’s stability. That’s a strong endorsement — railroad crossings are usually where “luxury ride” claims fall apart fastest.

Quick Tip: If ride quality is your main concern, insist on test-driving a car specifically equipped with air suspension — the difference between it and the base setup is significant enough that a base-suspension test drive won’t tell you the full story.

What About the Standard (Non-Air) Suspension?

This is where opinions genuinely split, and it’s worth taking seriously. Some owners describe the base suspension as harsh, reporting that “every bump is felt, big or small,” with the vehicle bottoming out on rougher streets.

One owner who bought a 2021 model new said the ride never really improved over time and specifically pointed out that even older Volvos they’d owned rode more comfortably. That’s a notable complaint from someone who presumably expected Volvo’s signature comfort going in.

But it’s not universal frustration. Other reviewers found real improvement in the current base setup, describing new, upgraded shock absorbers that shrugged off potholes and cobblestones with comfort, even calling out that a “stiff-legged ride” was their biggest gripe with the previous generation.

Ride Quality Comparison: Base vs. Air Suspension

Did the 2025.5 Suspension Update Actually Help?

Volvo made real changes here, but even professional reviewers disagree on the results. The new base suspension uses frequency selective damping with softer springs and a thicker front anti-roll bar, which Volvo says lets the wheels move more freely while keeping the body controlled.

One reviewer wasn’t convinced, describing the updated base ride as “a bit sloppy and not all that comfortable” — while praising the carryover air suspension as excellent across a wide range of road conditions. That’s a useful reality check: an official update doesn’t automatically mean every driver will feel the difference the same way.

Expert Insight: Most trusted automotive journalists don’t think the air suspension upgrade is worth the extra cost over the new base setup — but that view isn’t universal, which is exactly why a back-to-back test drive matters more than any single review.

Does Wheel Size Affect the Ride?

Yes, and this is an easy variable to overlook when comparing trims. Larger wheel options can reduce ride comfort on rougher roads, meaning the same suspension can feel noticeably different depending on which wheel package came with the car.

Here’s a real-world scenario: two owners with the same suspension setup can walk away with opposite opinions of the ride simply because one has the standard wheels and the other opted for the largest available rims. If you’re comparing notes with another owner online, wheel size is worth asking about before assuming you’re both talking about the same experience.

Choose the base suspension with smaller wheels if: you want a lower cost and softer ride over sharp cornering. Choose air suspension if: you regularly drive rough roads or simply want the most cushioned experience Volvo offers.

How Does the Cabin Handle Noise?

This is the one area where almost everyone agrees. Reviewers consistently note the improved sound insulation, with foam insulation added to the A and B pillars and more insulation in the firewall for recent updates, resulting in a notably quiet cabin even in heavy rain and on rough rural roads.

Owners echo this too — one traveling salesman who logs around 30,000 miles a year on his XC90 said it’s the first car that doesn’t leave him exhausted after a long day of client visits, largely thanks to how quiet and settled it feels at speed.

How Does It Compare to Rivals Like the BMW X5 or Audi Q7?

The XC90 isn’t trying to be the sportiest option, and reviewers frame that as a deliberate trade-off rather than a shortcoming. Handling is more than adequate for most situations, but the XC90 excels at providing a smooth, comfortable ride rather than tackling mountain roads aggressively.

Compared to the Audi Q7, the two are closer competitors on comfort — both offer a quiet cabin and supple ride, though the XC90 leans further into comfort-tuned suspension while the Q7 leans toward sharper handling.

Pros and cons by driver type:

The daily commuter

• Pro: Quiet cabin and relaxed ride reduce fatigue on long drives
• Con: Base suspension may feel firmer than expected on rough city streets

The family road-tripper

• Pro: Air suspension smooths out highway imperfections and potholes alike
• Con: It’s a real added cost on top of an already premium vehicle

The driving enthusiast

• Pro: Handling is competent and stable, even at speed
• Con: If you want sharp, engaging cornering, rivals with sport-tuned suspensions will satisfy that itch better

FAQ

Is the Volvo XC90’s air suspension worth the extra cost? Opinions genuinely differ. Some drivers and reviewers consider it essential for the best ride, while others feel the updated base suspension is close enough that the upgrade isn’t necessary — testing both yourself is the only way to know for your preference.

Does the Volvo XC90 ride better than a BMW X5? For comfort-focused driving, many reviewers and owners prefer the XC90’s relaxed tuning, while the X5 tends to favor sharper, sportier handling over outright comfort.

Why do some Volvo XC90 owners complain about a harsh ride? It often comes down to suspension type and wheel size — base suspension paired with larger wheels is more likely to transmit road imperfections than air suspension with standard wheels.

Did Volvo fix the XC90’s ride quality complaints? Partially. The 2025.5 update introduced new dampers and springs aimed at improving the base ride, though reviewer opinions on how much it actually improved things are mixed.

Is the Volvo XC90 good for long road trips? Generally, yes — the quiet cabin and comfort-focused tuning are frequently cited by long-distance drivers as reducing fatigue compared to other vehicles they’ve owned.

Key Takeaways

• Air suspension consistently earns the strongest praise for smoothing out rough roads and controlling body roll
• The standard suspension has a mixed reputation, with some owners reporting a genuinely firm or harsh ride
• Wheel size matters — larger wheels can make the same suspension feel noticeably stiffer
• The 2025.5 suspension update improved things for some reviewers but left others unconvinced
• Cabin quietness is a near-universal strength, regardless of suspension choice
• The XC90 is tuned for comfort over sport, so don’t expect BMW X5-style cornering sharpness

What To Do Next

Book back-to-back test drives of the base and air suspension trims on the roughest roads near you — this is genuinely one of those cases where reviews can only take you so far before your own back needs to weigh in.

Editor Notes:

• Freshness note: Suspension details reflect the 2025.5 mid-cycle update and 2026 model year as reviewed through mid-2025; earlier model years, particularly 2021–2023, may ride noticeably differently based on owner reports referenced above.
• Sources used: J.D. Power expert review, U.S. News Cars review, GearJunkie 2025.5 review, SwedeSpeed Volvo Performance Forum owner discussions, and Kelley Blue Book consumer reviews.
• Ride quality is inherently subjective and varies by trim, wheel size, and personal preference; owner and reviewer opinions in this article sometimes directly conflict, which is presented as-is rather than resolved into a single verdict.