Magnetic v. Air Ride - noticeable difference?

[Protect1989]

For those that have driven a GM vehicle with the magnetic ride control and the magnetic ride control w/air suspension, how much difference does it make?

Does it make an extremely notable difference or would you only be able to tell driving the two vehicles back to back?

 

[CCPLuvr]

My wife and I drove both and greatly preferred the air ride. It was noticeably smoother and quieter.

 

[tagexpcom]

My 2021 Yukon Denali has Magnetic Ride only but the rig is perfectly nice riding for a large vehicle. My 2004 Cadillac SRX has auto air leveling - and I'm assuming a Yukon with air also has auto-leveling? It's the auto-leveling that I miss.

 

[Antonm]

We test drove very similar vehicles back to back at the dealership, and took the same test drive route. One with air ride , one without (both 4x4 High Country trim), we bought the one with air ride.

The difference is noticeable, but I wouldn't call it night-and-day , its not like the mag ride equipped ones ride bad or anything.

The dealer we bought from where we test drove the two vehicles was right by the interstate where they were doing a bunch of road construction, so our test drive route took us through that highway road construction area which is probably why we were able to notice a difference.
...

 

[ENTX]

I was under impression that air ride includes magnaride and the air ride only is used for lift/lower the truck and level it during towing. So if you already have magnaride, adding air ride doesn't change the ride quality.
This is was I read that gave me that impression:

https://www.autoblog.com/features/chevrolet-tahoe-suspension-deep-dive

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

I was under impression that air ride includes magnaride and the air ride only is used for lift/lower the truck and level it during towing. So if you already have magnaride, adding air ride doesn't change the ride quality.
This is was I read that gave me that impression:

https://www.autoblog.com/features/chevrolet-tahoe-suspension-deep-dive

Magneride affects the shock damping.
Air Ride affects the spring coefficient.

So, in a mass, spring, damper system that is our suspensions...magneride affects the damping coefficient, air ride affects the spring coefficient, the mass is your vehicle.

Net with air ride + magneride you get adjustability in both key components of the system.

 

[BigdawgR6]

My 22 Denali (new) had magnetic ride and drove great. Sadly it was stolen so I ended up going with 23 Denali with air ride (used). The difference to me is a much smoother quieter ride but it almost feels like a boat now. I don't know if it's because I had a Corsa exhaust on the 22 but for some reason I preferred the ride on the 22 better.

The 23 almost feels like a luxury ride but I chose it due to being the exact same color and configuration as my 22. It's weird how the air suspension raises and lowers itself while driving. Feels like the monster below me is breathing.

 

[DontTaseMeBro]

I have a ‘22 Denali without air ride. Would it be nice to have? Sure, why not for towing. Do I regret not getting a Yukon equipped with it? Absolutely not. As someone who came from a 2020 Expedition, the ride quality is night and day different between it and the Yukon.

Main thing I noticed with the Yukon is no crashing over bumps and I can chuck into to a turn and experience far less body roll. I attribute both qualities to the magnaride.

 

[dc968]

I have a ‘23 High Country w/air ride and have rented a Denali w/o and there is a noticeable difference. Even my 16 year old son noticed. Having said that, the non-air ride isn’t at all uncomfortable or unpleasant on the road.

 

[Vladimir2306]

Strange question, Air suspension includes Magnetik. Magnetik is shock absorbers, Air suspension is replacement of springs. I drove on air suspension Tahoe, personally my opinion air suspension is exclusively for changing ground clearance. It does not affect the control in any way. I had GLS, there the air works great, GM is not so good yet.
Now I have a Yukon XL, without Magnetic and Air Suspension. It drives great, but I would like Magnetic. By the way, the air suspension has a nuance, the air suspension from GM does not like frost, at temperatures below -20-25C it gives an error and lies down, either a scanner that resets the error or a tow truck and service helps. In Russia, this problem was revealed last winter, when Tahoes, Yukons, Escalades lay down after spending the night in the cold.

 

[Vinnoto1]

I have a 21 Yukon with MRC and a 22 Yukon XL with MRC & air ride. The difference is quite noticeable whether driving around town or on the highway. It was the one feature I wouldn't go without, I also have the extended warranty for piece of mind on the added equipment.

 

[headwest]

I'm looking at the order sheet for 2026 Yukon Denali and air ride option and even with the air ride there is no mention of magna ride. But if you go to features on the Ultimate it shows the air ride with the magna ride. I'm confused as I thought the optional air ride worked with the magna ride.

 

[tagexpcom]

I'm looking at the order sheet for 2026 Yukon Denali and air ride option and even with the air ride there is no mention of magna ride. But if you go to features on the Ultimate it shows the air ride with the magna ride. I'm confused as I thought the optional air ride worked with the magna ride.

My 2021 Yukon Denali with middle package level (one down from Ultimate) has magna ride only (no air - so I don't have auto-level etc). And I'm with you - I believe that air ride is 'on top of' mangna ride.

 

[Vinnoto1]

That is correct, Look at a window sticker of a unit with air ride and you will see MRC under mechanical, and air ride under packages.

 

[jerry455]

I don't have air ride on my 2021 HC Suburban but I have the MRC. I love that. I put it in sport mode except when I am towing, and it makes it handle great for a large vehicle. It tows fantastic.

 

[Scarey]

I had a ‘24 with mag ride, it was a nice ride. I now have a ‘25 with mag ride and air, it’s a nicer ride than mag only.