Volvo Winter Experience in Montebello: Testing the EX30 Cross Country and XC90 T8 on Ice and Snow (Part 1)
- Alain Kuhn Von Kuhnenfeld
- 3 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Volvo Winter Experience in Montebello: Testing the EX30 Cross Country and XC90 T8 on Ice and Snow.
Winter is the ultimate test for any vehicle. Cold temperatures, ice, deep snow, and unpredictable traction quickly reveal how well a car is engineered. Volvo understands this better than most manufacturers. Born in Sweden, the brand has spent decades perfecting vehicles capable of handling harsh winter conditions safely and confidently.
To demonstrate this philosophy, Volvo invited us to Montebello, Québec, for a unique winter driving experience. The destination was the famous Fairmont Le Château Montebello, the largest log-built hotel in the world, located along the Ottawa River. Surrounded by forests and blanketed in snow during the winter months, it provided the perfect setting to test two very different vehicles from Volvo’s lineup: the new Volvo EX30 Cross Country and the Volvo XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid. The goal of the event was simple. Take these two vehicles and put them in environments that highlight their strengths. The EX30 Cross Country would play on ice, while the XC90 T8 would tackle deep snow. This article focuses on the winter testing experience in Montebello. We also tested the EX30 CC in Mexico, where conditions are completely different. We will cover the driving dynamics and on-road behaviour in a second review.
The EX30 is Volvo’s smallest electric SUV, and when we first drove it in Europe, it left a strong impression. It is quick, agile, and surprisingly engaging to drive, almost like a modern electric hot hatch. However, during that European drive, we encountered a section of unpaved road, and the firm suspension tuning made the ride noticeably stiff. At the time, almost jokingly, we said that the car was nearly perfect except for rough surfaces like unplowed winter roads or Montréal’s pothole-filled streets.
Volvo seems to have heard that kind of feedback.
The result is the EX30 Cross Country, a ruggedized version of the small electric SUV. It receives increased ground clearance, protective skid plates, and visual elements that emphasize a more adventurous character. The design changes give the vehicle a tougher look while maintaining the clean Scandinavian styling that defines Volvo’s modern lineup.
Pricing for the 2026 Volvo EX30 starts at $53,638 CAD for the single-motor version. The EX30 Cross Country enters the lineup at roughly $10,000 more, but the comparison is slightly misleading. The Cross Country is offered exclusively in the Ultra trim, which is fully equipped and includes the dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain. When compared to the Ultra trim of the standard EX30, the difference shrinks to roughly $1,000. For buyers already considering a fully loaded version, choosing the Cross Country makes a lot of sense. At the same time, it would be interesting if Volvo eventually introduced a more affordable base version of the Cross Country, which could attract new buyers with aggressive lease pricing.
Performance figures remain impressive for such a compact SUV. The dual-motor powertrain produces 422 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, allowing the EX30 Cross Country to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds. That is only a tenth of a second slower than the regular dual-motor EX30. Range, however, drops to approximately 365 kilometres compared to the original 407 km rating. The difference comes from the higher ride height and the off-road-oriented setup, though real-world testing will ultimately determine how significant the change is in daily use. The real fun began when Volvo allowed us to take the EX30 Cross Country onto a driving course on the Ottawa River. Underneath us sat roughly 62 centimetres of solid ice separating the vehicles from the flowing water. The course included a series of sweeping corners and tighter sections designed to explore the limits of traction and stability.
Within only a few turns, the character of the EX30 Cross Country became clear. The vehicle is remarkably playful on ice. With its all-wheel-drive system constantly managing torque between the front and rear motors, it allows controlled slides while maintaining an impressive level of stability. You can rotate the car slightly entering a corner, and almost immediately feel the system working to regain traction as you accelerate out of it. The transition from slip to grip feels natural and progressive.
Even when pushed hard, the vehicle remained predictable and easy to control. Instead of fighting the driver, it seemed to encourage exploration while always maintaining a strong safety net. That balance between fun and control reflects the essence of Volvo engineering. After spending time sliding across the frozen river, Volvo handed us the keys to something very different: the XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid. While the EX30 Cross Country focuses on compact performance and agility, the XC90 represents Volvo’s flagship family SUV, designed for comfort, space, and long-distance capability.
The next stage of the experience involved driving through deep snow trails surrounding the Montebello property. Equipped with its plug-in hybrid powertrain, the XC90 T8 combines a turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder engine with an electric motor to produce around 455 horsepower. The result is strong acceleration paired with the quiet electric driving capability that many families appreciate for daily commuting. In deep snow, the XC90 quickly demonstrated why it remains one of the most trusted SUVs in winter conditions. The all-wheel-drive system constantly monitors traction and distributes power where it is needed most. Instead of feeling unsettled or struggling for grip, the vehicle calmly adjusted its trajectory whenever the surface became slippery.
Even in challenging sections of snow-covered trail, it simply continued forward with confidence. The experience reinforced the idea that Volvo vehicles are engineered with real-world safety in mind. Whether sliding playfully on ice with the EX30 Cross Country or navigating deep snow with the XC90 T8, the underlying feeling was always one of stability and control. The location itself added to the experience. Fairmont Le Château Montebello is one of Québec’s most iconic winter destinations. Built entirely from massive logs, the resort feels like stepping into a classic Canadian winter lodge. Large fireplaces, warm wooden interiors, and exceptional local cuisine created a perfect contrast to the icy driving conditions outside.
After spending hours behind the wheel in freezing temperatures, returning to the warmth of the hotel and enjoying excellent food was a welcome part of the experience. Events like this highlight how automotive testing is often about more than just driving vehicles. The environment, the conditions, and the shared moments all contribute to understanding how a car performs in the real world. Volvo’s winter experience in Montebello showcased two very different vehicles united by the same philosophy. The EX30 Cross Country proved that a small electric SUV can be playful, fast, and capable in winter conditions. The XC90 T8 reminded us why Volvo continues to be a benchmark for family-friendly SUVs that inspire confidence in challenging environments. In Part 2, we shift to a completely different environment. After testing these vehicles in winter conditions, we will bring the EX 30 CC to Mexico to evaluate its real-world driving dynamics, efficiency, and behaviour on pavement. That review will focus on how they perform outside of winter.
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