Active Suspension Review

[Kevbol]

I have my 2023 Corsair collection 3 with active suspension. The literature says sensors and cameras survey the road in front of you and adjusts the suspension.

There are manhole covers 1/2 - 1 inch below the asphalt. The asphalt is tapered so it is usually smooth sailing over these covers with the last 6 autos I had. The Corsair sometimes goes over the manhole covers and WHAMMMM! It jars the car and the passengers. Feels like I drove in a 10 inch deep pothole. I think it’s the active suspension not sensing a 1 inch drop and doesn’t adjust the active suspension.

Anyone else have this experience? Not sure what trim level includes active suspension or is it standard? I find my self swerving like a 20 year old with a lowered car to avoid manhole covers.

 

[Pizano]

Hi, Kevbol. I've noticed the same thing with the active suspension on our 2022 Corsair GT. It seems harsher than what I was anticipating. But I've never owned a vehicle with this feature before. So personally, I was probably expecting too much. Either that or the feature has never worked on our vehicle in the first place which I suppose is a possibility.

 

[TimCooper]

Hi, Kevbol. I've noticed the same thing with the active suspension on our 2022 Corsair GT. It seems harsher than what I was anticipating. But I've never owned a vehicle with this feature before. So personally, I was probably expecting too much. Either that or the feature has never worked on our vehicle in the first place which I suppose is a possibility.

Hi guys. We have a 22 GT and feel the same. Driving on Canadian roads has its hazards to be sure and I too find harsh rides over potholes and have been scratching my chin trying to figure out the benefits of adaptive suspension. I realize wheel base length and tire pressure have some effects on ride quality. I do enjoy running on fresh asphalt and feel tge smooth quite ride but in Canada those patches are few and far between.
Tim.

 

[JB IN AZ]

Sorry to hear this, but I guess I now feel a little bit better that the Corsair I ended up buying did not have the option, I think it may be only one I don't have.

It seems that Lincoln keeps changing the standard features and option packages each year...who can keep up wit it?

My '19 RDX had active suspension, and all it did was make the ride harsher, for better handling, I suppose. I never felt that it made the ride smoother...but I don't remember it having any cameras surveying the road ahead.

I hope you guys have your dealers have a look... it is possible that there is a sensor or module misbehaving.

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[peterk9]

I have my 2023 Corsair collection 3 with active suspension. The literature says sensors and cameras survey the road in front of you and adjusts the suspension.

There are manhole covers 1/2 - 1 inch below the asphalt. The asphalt is tapered so it is usually smooth sailing over these covers with the last 6 autos I had. The Corsair sometimes goes over the manhole covers and WHAMMMM! It jars the car and the passengers. Feels like I drove in a 10 inch deep pothole. I think it’s the active suspension not sensing a 1 inch drop and doesn’t adjust the active suspension.

Anyone else have this experience? Not sure what trim level includes active suspension or is it standard? I find my self swerving like a 20 year old with a lowered car to avoid manhole covers.

I wasn't able to find anything that mentioned "active" suspension. I did, however, find Adaptive Suspension as one of the Corsair's features.
"Experience nimble agility and hug-the-road performance with a vehicle that smoothly glides over elevated terrain and bumps in the road. The available adaptive suspension uses a suite of sensors that constantly monitor the vehicle’s suspension motion, body movement, steering and braking."
There was no mention of road preview with camera. That was available on the Aviator but I believe it was later deleted.
My 2020 Aviator has the Adaptive Suspension which I believe is standard on all but the base (Standard) trim.

Peter

 

[bbf2530]

Hi gang. Anyone who feels their vehicle suspension (Adaptive or not) is not behaving properly should set up a service appointment, take the Service Advisor for a ride to demonstrate, and let them diagnose any issues.

That being said...The Road Preview, Pothole Mitigation and other possibly available features of the "Adaptive" Suspensions have their limitations. And no matter what electronic and mechanical wizardry the automakers install in our vehicles, fashionably large wheels/short sidewall tires are going to lead to a rougher ride than the smaller diameter wheels/taller sidewall tires we had in the "old days". It is simple physics.

However, a properly operating Adaptive Suspension should/will handle road imperfections better than a non-adaptive suspension...when compared in the same vehicle, and if it is working properly. But again, we have to compare apples to apples, and keep the limitations of physics in mind. And emphasis on the "If it is working properly".

I will just add my personal experience: I have a 2007 MKZ with 17" wheels, 225/50-17 tires and a traditional, non-"Adaptive" suspension. And a 2018 MKZ with 19" wheels, 245/40-19 tires and the "Adaptive Suspension" with Road Preview and Pothole Mitigation etc. features.

However, even with the Adaptive Suspension/Road Preview/Pothole Mitigation features, my 2018 MKZ has a bit more harshness on potholes, going up driveway apron transitions (where I really notice it), depressed manhole covers etc. No matter what electronics are thrown in, the drawbacks of large wheels/short sidewall tires can not be completely overcome.

And please let me make it clear...I am not downplaying or dismissing anyone's complaints/concerns. It is very possible some of these situations may be due to a vehicle/suspension defect. So if we feel there is an issue, the best course of action is to have it addressed by the Dealership/Lincoln.

Keep us updated and good luck.

 

[Kevbol]

I wasn't able to find anything that mentioned "active" suspension. I did, however, find Adaptive Suspension as one of the Corsair's features.
"Experience nimble agility and hug-the-road performance with a vehicle that smoothly glides over elevated terrain and bumps in the road. The available adaptive suspension uses a suite of sensors that constantly monitor the vehicle’s suspension motion, body movement, steering and braking."
There was no mention of road preview with camera. That was available on the Aviator but I believe it was later deleted.
My 2020 Aviator has the Adaptive Suspension which I believe is standard on all but the base (Standard) trim.

Peter

I did misname it. It is not “active suspension ”. It should be “adaptive suspension”

 

[C Krohn]

What ever happened to manhole covers being level with the pavement?

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[Pizano]

Since our GT is going to be in the repair shop for a while, I just got back home in a new Ford Escape rental today and I swear it rides better than the GT (?) I'll have to drive the Escape around some more first to see if it actually does feel better or if it's just my imagination. In any case, I'll add this to the repair list to be checked out just in case there might actually be something wrong with the adaptive suspension.

 

[JB IN AZ]

Since our GT is going to be in the repair shop for a while, I just got back home in a new Ford Escape rental today and I swear it rides better than the GT (?) I'll have to drive the Escape around some more first to see if it actually does feel better or if it's just my imagination. In any case, I'll add this to the repair list to be checked out just in case there might actually be something wrong with the adaptive suspension.

Sadly I agree. As I mentioned in another thread, I have a very hard driven '21 Escape rental with ~60,000 miles as a loaner. I also feel it rides "better" than our '22 Reserve w/o adaptive suspension. "Better" may be different to different people however.

 

[MagicCarpet]

Begs the question, how can a consumer on their own determine whether Adaptive Suspension is actually functioning properly or not?

 

[peterk9]

Begs the question, how can a consumer on their own determine whether Adaptive Suspension is actually functioning properly or not?

I'm not sure if you can. I don't believe that there is an OFF/ON setting for it.

Peter

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[Kiddoc]

I have my 2023 Corsair collection 3 with active suspension. The literature says sensors and cameras survey the road in front of you and adjusts the suspension.

There are manhole covers 1/2 - 1 inch below the asphalt. The asphalt is tapered so it is usually smooth sailing over these covers with the last 6 autos I had. The Corsair sometimes goes over the manhole covers and WHAMMMM! It jars the car and the passengers. Feels like I drove in a 10 inch deep pothole. I think it’s the active suspension not sensing a 1 inch drop and doesn’t adjust the active suspension.

Anyone else have this experience? Not sure what trim level includes active suspension or is it standard? I find my self swerving like a 20 year old with a lowered car to avoid manhole covers.

Hi Kevbol,
I have a 2022 Corsair GT with the adaptive suspension. I am frustrated by the lack of technical information that Lincoln seems able to provide, and if anyone actually has a link to more than marketing information please let me know. I am comparing this suspension to my last car which was an Audi SQ5 with the air suspension. Although they are very different vehicles in many ways, they are essentially the same in size, wheelbase and weight. The road surfaces I can speak to are in Virginia (highway, residential and some dirt) and Pennsylvania in and around Philadelphia where the winters tear up the roads as much as in Canada I'd expect. The Audi "comfort" setting was nice, not cushy or floating, but did smooth out some of the imperfections in the road a fair amount. The "sport" mode was very firm. My son's Porsche Macan S is smoother than the Audi was, but still gets jarred by large road defects. In comparison the Lincoln is generally smoother on the roughest roads than the Audi was on "comfort". So, I'd say that the adaptive suspension works at least most of the time to improve the ride experience. I would agree though that potholes are a challenge for the suspension and do find them to be jarring, so I'd guess that this suspension isn't really designed for potholes. As far as the tire size does, I'd agree with many other posters that the smaller wheels and higher tire profile fitment is the best for comfort, and that is what I have.
Cheers

 

[Torquer]

I have a 2023 Reserve Collection III, and I am questioning if it really has Adaptive Suspension. The Corsair Order Guide from October (the last that I am aware is publicly available), shows it included on the Reserve with Collection III. However the Window Sticker does not list it and it is not on the Factory Invoice (which I got since this was an X-plan purchase). I do not see it mentioned at all on the Lincoln website where you can build your car with various options.

So can anyone definitely confirm that the 2023s have this feature? Frankly I can't say it feels any smoother driving over bumps than any other much cheaper small SUV.

 

[peterk9]

Hi Kevbol,
I have a 2022 Corsair GT with the adaptive suspension. I am frustrated by the lack of technical information that Lincoln seems able to provide, and if anyone actually has a link to more than marketing information please let me know. I am comparing this suspension to my last car which was an Audi SQ5 with the air suspension. ..................................................................................................
Cheers

You really can't compare the Adaptive suspension to the Air suspension. They are 2 different things.

Peter

 

[bbf2530]

I have a 2023 Reserve Collection III, and I am questioning if it really has Adaptive Suspension. The Corsair Order Guide from October (the last that I am aware is publicly available), shows it included on the Reserve with Collection III. However the Window Sticker does not list it and it is not on the Factory Invoice (which I got since this was an X-plan purchase). I do not see it mentioned at all on the Lincoln website where you can build your car with various options.

So can anyone definitely confirm that the 2023s have this feature? Frankly I can't say it feels any smoother driving over bumps than any other much cheaper small SUV.

Hi Torquer. The 2023 Aviator Dealer Order Guide states that the Adaptive Suspension is standard on all Reserve models (requiring certain other equipment.

From the Order Guide in the Reserve model section:
"● Adaptive Suspension (requires AWD or 22” Bright-Machined
Aluminum Wheel with Magnetic Painted Pockets or 22” Black
Aluminum Wheel)
— Noise Reduction Module
— Sound Insulation Pack"

Hope this helps, and good luck.

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[peterk9]

I have a 2023 Reserve Collection III, and I am questioning if it really has Adaptive Suspension. The Corsair Order Guide from October (the last that I am aware is publicly available), shows it included on the Reserve with Collection III. However the Window Sticker does not list it and it is not on the Factory Invoice (which I got since this was an X-plan purchase). I do not see it mentioned at all on the Lincoln website where you can build your car with various options.

So can anyone definitely confirm that the 2023s have this feature? Frankly I can't say it feels any smoother driving over bumps than any other much cheaper small SUV.

How do you know if you have adaptive suspension?

You can jack up the car and look at the shock. If there is a wire/connector on the side of the shock body, then you have adaptive suspension. You can also tell if the car gets stiffer when moving to sport mode.

Google Search

Peter

 

[dk4500]

I have a 2023 Reserve Collection III, and I am questioning if it really has Adaptive Suspension. The Corsair Order Guide from October (the last that I am aware is publicly available), shows it included on the Reserve with Collection III. However the Window Sticker does not list it and it is not on the Factory Invoice (which I got since this was an X-plan purchase). I do not see it mentioned at all on the Lincoln website where you can build your car with various options.

So can anyone definitely confirm that the 2023s have this feature? Frankly I can't say it feels any smoother driving over bumps than any other much cheaper small SUV.

My 23 Reserve Collection III, Equipment Group 202A window sticker does not say anything about Adaptive Suspension. I was under the impression that it is only available on the GT model. Appreciate it if 2023 GT owners can chime in on this.

 

[bbf2530]

My 23 Reserve Collection III, Equipment Group 202A window sticker does not say anything about Adaptive Suspension. I was under the impression that it is only available on the GT model. Appreciate it if 2023 GT owners can chime in on this.

Hi dk4500. Thanks for posting that. I mistakenly got my sub-forums mixed up and supplied information for the 2023 Aviator in my previous reply, not the 2023 Corsair. Ooops!

So to correct my previous error: The Adaptive Suspension is part of the available Reserve Collection III 202A equipment collection. And it is standard on the Corsair Grand Touring.

I have attached the 2023 Corsair Dealer Order Guide below, so others can peruse and verify.

Thanks again and good luck.

 

[Torquer]

I have attached the 2023 Corsair Dealer Order Guide below, so others can peruse and verify.

Note the date on your Order Guide...October 2022. That is the last one I have also. How do you know it still applies to cars that were built in Summer of 2023?