Exactly why I would have preferred a limited slip differential to traction control. I find myself turning off the automatic traction control on my ‘01 XJR quite often for the same reason even with the snow tires. It might not be as unstoppable as your mighty Volvo but I’ve never been stuck yet.

 

We don’t really get snow in the UK, nothing like I’ve seen in parts of America and mainland Europe. However when we do get it, the whole country grinds to a halt through sheer ineptitude and lack of proper education at a driving school level. Back when I used to daily drive an X308 I used to just be sensible, but now it’s a occasional vehicle I would choose the Volvo in any winter conditions.

I was driving that car on thick snow with worn out summer tyres on the rear axle and it didn’t put a foot wrong. I’ve since had new tyres all round and last snow we had I spent most of my time overtaking people who couldn’t get traction.

 

As you said being sensible and having right tires does the trick, generally we have few months of snow a year but roads are well maintained and i seldom have a chance to find the one where snowplow didn't do his job, as long as they spread their gravel over the snow jag drives like a chisel no worries

 

At least Jags have improved over the years with how they handle snow.

My first Jag was a XJ40 & I found that on slush when slowing down gradually, once down to idle speed I could lock the front wheels and the car would keep going as the rear brakes weren't on enough to overcome the engine. Either more brakes or knocking it in N solved that. It only happened at a low enough speed the ABS wasn't triggered.

 

I drove a 2000 XJ8 and now a 1999 XJR in the snow in Michigan, with snow tires it's really a non issue, i've had no issues whatsoever with winter performance. It's no 4x4 but its as good as any full sized sedan needs to be.