In this paper, passive and various types of intelligent vehicle suspension systems are compared in terms of their relative ride performance capabilities and power requirements. These systems are active, two and three setting switchable dampers suspension systems. The control gains of the intelligent systems are obtained using optimal control theory and gain scheduling strategy (GS) is used for the system behaviour. In the first strategy (GS) used, gains are selected based on suspension working space. While, the other strategy (GS), gains are selected based on body acceleration. These strategies are used to maintain suspension working space and dynamic tyre deflection levels within design limits and to minimise body acceleration level.The mean power consumed in rolling resistance and the mean power dissipation within the suspensions is evaluated. The results showed that the active with gain scheduling strategy gives better ride improvements compared with the active system in terms of body acceleration. Also, the results are presented the potential benefits of the switchable damper with gain scheduling strategy. The mean power demand and dissipation within the suspensions are evaluated. The percentages of power dissipation with the passive, setting switchable damper and active suspension systems relative to the power losses in rolling, resistance are discussed,