Is the Volvo XC60 Good in Snow?
Volvo XC60 Winter Handling
The first thing to know about how the XC60 handles snow is that all-wheel drive comes standard. But there’s actually a bit more to it than that. For a lot of AWD systems, the vehicle is essentially either front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive almost all the time, and power only shifts when wheels start slipping. This kind of system is still better in snow than a 2WD vehicle, and it’s also more fuel efficient, but Volvo still saw a way to improve it. Low speeds, like pulling away from a stop sign, are where most wheel slippage happens on snowy days, so the XC60 always starts off sending power to all four wheels, and only diverts all power to the front wheels to save fuel once you’ve reached normal driving speed and wheels aren’t still slipping. This is a Volvo-specific system known as Instant Traction™. The XC60 also uses a 50/50 power split when all four wheels are engaged, while many competitors have uneven torque splits.
While a lot of the vehicles in this segment come with all-wheel drive, most won’t have a dedicated off-road mode, which the XC60 does. The XC60 also comes with Hill Descent Control, which gives you extra control in slippery downhill conditions, using engine braking and the ability to apply the brakes on just one wheel if necessary. This is a feature offered on other vehicles, but with Volvo’s commitment to safety, it’s standard. In all, it’s safe to say that the XC60 handles snow exceptionally well.
Volvo XC60 Winter Comfort
There’s more to a good winter vehicle than just not getting stuck in the snow – you want to be comfortable, too. In addition to the usual comfortable seats and ample passenger space in the XC60, there are a number of features that help with cold weather. Heated front seats and dual-zone climate control come standard, and both a heated steering wheel and four-zone climate control are available. There is also the Volvo Cars app, which gives you the ability to remotely start your XC60 and activate climate functions. After all, Swedes know how to stay warm in winter.