GTS Ride Quality with or without Active Ride

[Alain13]

J1.1 GTS had stiffer ARB, but a J1.2 GTS with AR has no ARB.
I am also fairly convinced that the majority of the difference people feel between a 4S and a GTS is from having 21" wheels.

Certainly going from a Turbo or Turbo S to a GTS even on J1.1 there was very little difference.

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[f1eng]

One of the features of Porsche's GTS models has always been a sportier suspension base setting.
For my use it was one of the reasons I did NOT choose a GTS version.
I have a sports car if I want a sportier suspension.
I have been delighted by the ride/handling compromise of my CT for over 3 years now...

 

[Crazymind]

The 7k active ride is hardly justified unless you are a Porsche nerd or elderly in need of height support when entering end exiting the car.
In uk even less valuable considering the 70mph speed limit and 60mph in B roads…

 

[Fun TC Driving]

We did an extensive curvy country road test drive in a 2025 Taycan CT 4S with 20” wheels/tires. Put it into Sports Plus mode early on in the driveas then forgot for the rest of the test I had done so. It was super comfortable with that combination.

Need AR for wife’s arthritis. Want to get a 2027 GTS for lots of reasons. We like a firm but not a harsh ride. Maybe get the GTS with AR but comrpomise and get 20”’s?

 

[Alain13]

The 7k active ride is hardly justified unless you are a Porsche nerd or elderly in need of height support when entering end exiting the car.
In uk even less valuable considering the 70mph speed limit and 60mph in B roads…

Suspension dynamics are about handling road imperfections and G-forces, not just high speed stability. PAR actually shines brightest on those bumpy B-roads and in city traffic by completely eliminating head-toss and brake dive. It's valuable exactly because you're not driving on a flat autobahn.

 

[dcp10]

In uk even less valuable considering the 70mph speed limit and 60mph in B roads

…or 40mph A roads (20mph near any houses) if you’re unfortunate enough to live in Oxfordshire :-(

 

[dcp10]

Maybe get the GTS with AR but comrpomise and get 20”’s

But would I then lose the wonderful steering precision and feel? That was one of the standout features of my test drive - still not clear if this was the 21” Summer Performance tyres at work or some specific GTS steering calibration.

 

[Fun TC Driving]

We would be getting all season tires either way. Our extensive Taycan CT 4S test drive was also with A/S’s. It will not be tracked.

 

[kern417]

from what i'm reading, it will have no effect and you might as well save your money. active ride is to improve handling and reduce body roll, but doesn't have a noticeable improvement on normal bumps while driving.

 

[Crazymind]

Well explained!
At road speed there is no nose dive nor body roll with standard air suspension…
In my test drive I can say active ride doesn’t add the magic carpet ride. As standard with air suspension you feel all the the imperfections of the road and tyres vibrations through the cabin.
Admittedly in very rough roads I could feel better dampening but definitely not worth 7k if you are looking for more comfort.
If it is handling you are after probably active ride will make a difference.

 

[RodeoDrive]

One has to test drive for himself to (subjectively) understand this, I think.

So in terms of comfort AR will smooth out bumps that the ARBs would unnecessarily cause left right movements?
But not be better versus just air suspension for small city bumps and uneven asphalt?

I love the Taycan's ability to be two cars in one with the significant difference between normal and sport plus - it was a key differentiator for me on the j1.1. As years go by I'd appreciate the normal to be even more comfortable - I'd consider the j1.2 for that.

One of the reviews I read stated AR would take the car to S Class level in terms of comfort - reading the above comments that seems not to be the case.

 

[prj]

from what i'm reading, it will have no effect and you might as well save your money. active ride is to improve handling and reduce body roll, but doesn't have a noticeable improvement on normal bumps while driving.

Absolutely not.
I actually have a car with AR. @Mr.Smith is telling you exactly the same thing, and he also has a car with AR.
Ask anyone that has AR on their car - it massively increases comfort. Especially in the UK where you have speed bumps every 50 meters the difference is going to be massive.

No offence but how about actually driving one?
You can literally go over speed humps at almost twice the speed with less body movement. Not to mention heavy cornering or acceleration feels completely neutral.

As for performance - I am coming from a Turbo S with PDCC. Before flooring the car in normal made it squat like mad, with AR even in normal it's completely flat. Not as much difference in cornering (the PDCC was doing some heavy lifting), but a massive upgrade in comfort.

As for GTS being stiffer - at least on J1.1 going from a Turbo to a GTS and driving them both back to back I barely noticed the difference. It's very minor.
What OP is describing here is 100% the difference between the Dynamics package that has 21" extra sporty tyres vs 20" on PS4. That difference is absolutely massive. It's also why the Sporty tyres are a separate option, they're even stiffer than the normal 21". Would not recommend unless you live in an area with perfect roads.

 

[SoccerMan94043]

I also have a car with AR. I test drove cars back to back and liked the ride with AR better.

I however don't go twice as fast over speed bumps... I'm worried about bottoming out or ruining my 21" RS Spyders

 

[prj]

I also have a car with AR. I test drove cars back to back and liked the ride with AR better.

I however don't go twice as fast over speed bumps... I'm worried about bottoming out or ruining my 21" RS Spyders

I have the CT with 20" so I get away with more

 

[Crazymind]

In terms of comfort if you downsize to 20” you’ll save 7k
Add winter tyres and the drive is smooth as Heaven even in sport plus…
Forget S class comfort with Porsche Air ride, not even near it…
Paying 7k to speed over bumps doesn’t seem very smart.

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