The all-new 2021 Cadillac Escalade is filled to the brim with cutting-edge technology and features, including the addition of new adaptive air suspension. However, the 2021 Escalade isn’t the first model to feature Cadillac air suspension – in fact, the Cadillac XTS introduced the feature for the 2013 model year. Now, we’re taking another look at the XTS’ air suspension components in the following Cadillac Society Feature Spotlight.
Cadillac XTS
The Cadillac air suspension offered with the XTS was officially called Automatic Level Control Rear Air Springs. The feature was standard on Premium Luxury, Platinum, and Platinum V-Sport trim levels, and was designed to provide a level riding position and improved handling in a number of loading and passenger conditions.
The system is fully automatic, and operates via an air compressor connected to the rear air springs, either lowering and raising the ride height to maintain an even stance. To activate the system, the engine must be turned on, at which time the springs will self-level the ride height. If passengers exit the vehicle or cargo is removed after the engine is turned off, the system can still lower the ride height up to 10 minutes after the ignition is switched off. The system will not raise the vehicle until the engine has been started.
The air compressor connected to XTS air suspension system may make some noise while the ride height is adjusted. If the vehicle isn’t driven for a few weeks, or there’s a significant temperature drop while the car is parked, it may look as though the vehicle is low in the rear. However, once the vehicle is started, the Cadillac air suspension system will return the vehicle to its normal ride height.
Also note that if a weight-distributing hitch is used, it’s recommended to let the system inflate and level the vehicle before adjusting the hitch.
2021 Cadillac Escalade
Meanwhile, the Cadillac air suspension system on the new 2021 Escalade has a similar, but different purpose when compared to the system on the XTS, with the system on the Escalade offering variable ride heights to better match the driving situation. For example, the system on the 2021 Escalade can be raised for additional ground clearance while traveling off-road, or lowered for improved aerodynamics on the highway and easier ingress and egress for passengers when parked. This system is available on Premium Luxury and Sport trims, and comes as standard on Premium Luxury Platinum and Sport Platinum trims. The system is not available on the base-level Luxury.
What are your thoughts on the Cadillac air suspension system, either new or old? Let us know in the comments, and make sure to subscribe to Cadillac Society for more Cadillac XTS news, Cadillac Escalade news, and around-the-clock Cadillac news coverage.
Sam
As i think about it my uncle had a 1958 Buick Century that had what was called air ride, airbags on all four wheels.Capable of raising or lowering the vehicle,for road conditions.If it sat for a week it would look like a lowrider.
Roger Zimmermann
I assume that the air suspension system is and will be more reliable than the 1958/58 Eldorado Brougham models (I have one, still on air) as well as the optional system on standard cars 1958 to 1960!
Johnls_39
I always thought that it was strange that the air springs was offered on the rear suspension and not applied to four wheels on the XTS, Deville and second generation Escalade ESV. I’m not sure how long the Mercedes S Class had an air suspension introduced but they generally are distributed to four corners.
Based on what I’m reading, technically the air suspension if applied only to the rear will lower the rear of the vehicle from the rear passengers to cargo area? I’ve seen where older model Cadillacs and Lincolns with that type of suspension where the rear of the cars was lowered in traffic which indicated that the suspension was broken indicating as a look to a low-rider. This type of air suspension is not a full-time air suspension like that on the ’21 Escalade, second gen. Aviator and S Class. Even the first gen. Eldorado Brougham had four corner air suspension but it was not that reliable so many buyers chosen coil springs.
Joe Booky
The rear air springs on my XTS work great, although I think it takes a little driving to “warm” them up. I have had the car loaded with weight and the ride height never changed. An addition to the info in the article, all 2013-2017 had the air springs as well as the mag shocks. So is the new Escalade rear or all wheel air springs? Also, a ride comparison between air and steel springs would be in order. Personally, I think the air ride is slightly smoother than the steel springs in our 2015 Impala.
aF
2005 Cadillac sts also had same system with magnetic shocks
J Robinson
The 2005 DeVille DTS also had the air spring rear.