Until the four inches of wet, sloppy snow arrived, deposited on a thin layer of ice, there was nothing remarkable about the Volvo Cross Country. In a nutshell, it’s an all-wheel-drive V70 wagon sitting on high-sidewall Pirelli tires that understeers when pushed. Backing out of a parking spot is a case of watching the rear as the car scribes a long, lazy arc due to a larger turning circle than the normal V70 wagon. Plus, the throttle response takes some getting used to. It’s easy to call up too much power from a dead stop, and – if the person ahead suddenly slows – fall into a slight, but noticeable, dead spot until the turbocharger builds sufficient boost so you can accelerate again.

However, the snow changed the impression of the XC70 considerably. It cut through the snow and slush, the Haldex all-wheel-drive unit reacting very quickly to changing coefficients of friction. The ABS also performed flawlessly, bringing the XC70 to safe, straight stops in a minimal distance. Even the throttle seemed to be less touchy, though there was little need for large throttle openings in the conditions.

Of course, the “Cross Country” after the model designation suggests the ability to cross more than a muddy field on the way to soccer practice, and the raised ride height, front skid plate and tall tires reinforce this impression. However, the average XC70 owner is a married woman with a couple of kids and a dog or two, and is therefore unlikely to take the car down to the mud bogs, or up the side of a mountain. Conditions like those experienced are probably the worst most owners will ever see. If they want to do more, they can move up to Volvo’s XC90 SUV.

The XC70 is the perfect suburban off-roader. It has the equipment to make fast work of most on-road conditions, and an outdoorsy air with its SUV-like external characteristics. But it’s more likely to be seen stalking a Starbucks in Washington DC, than a wild buck in the forests of Washington.