The 2027 Volvo XC90 Ultra offers Active Chassis with Air Suspension as an optional upgrade — a system that replaces the standard passive steel spring suspension with electronically controlled air springs and adaptive dampers. For Long Island buyers, the question is straightforward: does the real-world ride quality improvement justify the additional investment? The answer depends on how you drive and what you prioritize.
Bottom Line: Active Chassis with Air Suspension is worth adding if you: (1) drive 22-inch wheels and want to preserve comfort; (2) carry seven passengers frequently and want to maintain ride height under load; or (3) regularly experience road surface variation on Long Island’s mix of smooth highways and rougher local streets. Available only on the Ultra trim.
- Air springs replace steel coil springs for height-adjustable, load-adaptive suspension
- Electronically controlled dampers adjust in real time to road surface and driving mode
- System automatically levels the vehicle under heavy loads (7-passenger, cargo) for consistent ride quality
How Active Chassis with Air Suspension Works
Traditional passive suspension uses steel coil springs and hydraulic shock absorbers with fixed characteristics. Once designed and installed, their behavior is constant — the same spring rate and damping on a smooth highway as on a rough side street.
Active Chassis replaces this with a fundamentally different approach:
Air springs are pressurized air chambers that replace the steel coils. Because air pressure is variable, the spring rate can be adjusted in real time — softer for comfort over rough surfaces, stiffer for body control during cornering, automatically higher or lower depending on driving mode selected.
Adaptive dampers use electronically controlled valves that adjust damping force within milliseconds. When the system detects an abrupt road input — an expansion joint, a pothole edge — the damper can respond before the wheel’s motion reaches the body, absorbing the impact rather than transmitting it.
Automatic load leveling monitors the vehicle’s pitch and roll under changing loads and adjusts air pressure to maintain a consistent ride height and attitude. Loading three children in the second and third rows, adding luggage to the cargo area, or carrying seven passengers — the system compensates automatically to maintain the vehicle’s designed handling and ride geometry.
Real-World Benefits for Long Island Driving
22-inch wheel compatibility: As covered in the Wheel Options Guide, 22-inch wheels use lower-profile tires with less sidewall cushioning. The Active Chassis system compensates for this directly — buyers who want maximum visual presence with 22-inch wheels can preserve ride comfort by pairing them with Active Chassis. Without Active Chassis, the 22-inch configuration is the firmest ride in the XC90 lineup.
Route 110 and LIE surface variation: Long Island’s road network includes everything from smooth Northern State Parkway sections to rougher secondary roads in Huntington and Northport. The adaptive dampers adjust to these surface changes in real time — transitions from smooth to rough road feel less abrupt than they do with passive suspension.
Full seven-passenger loading: Families who regularly carry seven occupants will notice that fully loaded, the XC90 with standard suspension settles noticeably. The air suspension’s self-leveling function eliminates this — the vehicle maintains its normal ride height and handling character regardless of occupancy. This is particularly relevant for families using the third row routinely.
Driving Mode Integration
The Active Chassis integrates with the XC90’s driver-configurable driving modes. In Comfort mode, the air springs run at softer settings for maximum compliance. In Dynamic mode, the system stiffens for more controlled handling during spirited driving. The system continuously monitors inputs from steering angle, lateral acceleration, and wheel speed sensors to anticipate driver intent and adjust accordingly.
Off-road heightened mode (available in some configurations) raises ride height for occasional off-road or deep snow situations — a useful addition for Long Island winters where Huntington’s side streets can accumulate significant snowfall before plowing.
Who Benefits Most from Active Chassis
The upgrade makes the strongest case for:
- Ultra buyers adding 22-inch wheels — the combination of air suspension and large wheels maintains comfort while achieving maximum visual presence
- 7-passenger families — automatic load leveling under full occupancy and luggage load significantly improves the experience compared to passive suspension when fully loaded
- Buyers who frequently drive rough or varied road surfaces — the real-time damper adjustment makes surface transitions noticeably smoother
- Buyers who prioritize the smoothest possible ride regardless of road surface — Active Chassis represents the highest level of suspension refinement available in the XC90
For buyers who:
- Drive primarily on highways and smooth roads
- Choose 20-inch or 21-inch wheels
- Primarily use two or three seats
- Are less sensitive to ride quality variation
The standard suspension is entirely adequate — excellent ride quality by any premium SUV measure, without the additional cost of the active system.
"If someone is going with 22-inch wheels, I always suggest Active Chassis — those two go together. For families using all seven seats regularly, it also makes a real difference loaded versus unloaded. The system compensates for things you'd otherwise just notice and accept."
General Manager, Volvo Cars of Huntington
Browse XC90 Ultra configurations at Volvo Cars of Huntington or contact our team about an Active Chassis test drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Active Chassis available on the XC90 Plus? No — Active Chassis with Air Suspension is available only on the Ultra (Bright and Dark) trim levels. It is not available on Core or Plus.
Does the active suspension change the vehicle’s ride height? Yes — the system can raise or lower ride height in response to load, driving mode selection, and surface conditions. It can also be manually raised in certain driving modes for situations requiring additional ground clearance.
Is the Active Chassis worth the cost on the T8 powertrain? Yes, equally — the T8 and B6 powertrains are both available on Ultra with or without Active Chassis. The suspension upgrade is independent of powertrain choice.
How does Active Chassis affect long-term maintenance? Air suspension systems require more maintenance attention than passive steel spring systems over the vehicle’s lifetime — air spring compressors and air lines are additional components that can require service. For most buyers, the ride quality improvement outweighs this consideration significantly. Volvo provides warranty coverage on all factory-installed options.
Can I test the Active Chassis on a test drive? Yes — we have XC90 Ultra models with Active Chassis at Volvo Cars of Huntington. Ask us specifically about driving an Active Chassis-equipped vehicle so you can compare it directly to the standard suspension.
Experience Active Chassis on a test drive at Volvo Cars of Huntington, serving Huntington, Northport, Commack, and Melville. Schedule your appointment.
Related reading: 2027 XC90 Wheel Options Guide | 2027 XC90 Ultra Trim Guide