In slick weather it allows starts from a standstill in a higher gear, such as second, to minimize wheel spin and to hold the car in a chosen gear so it doesn't shift abruptly on ice and skid. The automatics on the three XC test vehicles behaved terrifically. They were the opposite of the poor-performing gearbox in a Volvo V70 station wagon tested this year. That V70 transmission was among a few that got out before Volvo could reprogram the cars' computers to improve shifting. If the XC shifts were typical, the reprogramming was a huge success.
Stops are sure.
Brakes felt just right. Stopping power came on strongly, but the brakes did not feel touchy or overboosted. It was easy to halt with the level of urgency intended. Styling is distinctive. But it will look ugly to some.