Snowchains FWD vs. winter tyres AWD ?

[NigelDay]

Shortlisting for my change. Currently running a V50 on winter tyres (we live 1400ft up in the north Pennines). Winter treads get me though most situations, but this winter I have had three 'let downs'. So here is the dilemma. Do I choose an XC60 FWD and fit winter treads for the season, with the fall-back of a decent set of (rapid-fit) chains for the front wheels only, or do I choose AWD and fit winter treads for the season (I would not expect or wish to fit chains on all four wheels) ?
Does anyone have experience of snow chains on a FWD car compared to winter treads on AWD ? My preference is FWD as I do over 20k private miles per annum so fuel economy is important. I need the XC60 because the V60 is actually smaller than my V50 !

[Harvey1512]

If fuel economy is important then stay with the FWD on winters. The AWD Volvo is still on the old engine which is not as economical. I know Barnard Castle gets a rough deal with snow, different climate to the rest of the UK for anyone reading this, but even so decent winter tyres on the car should see you okay for nearly all situations. Getting an AWD XC60 will mean you are penalised for most of the year allowing for the very, very rare occasion when winter tyres are not enough. Get the snow chains as you suggest and that would then sort you out.

Out of interest what situations did the tyres fail in. What type of tyre did you have on?

[NigelDay]

Originally Posted by Harvey1512

If fuel economy is important then stay with the FWD on winters. The AWD Volvo is still on the old engine which is not as economical. I know Barnard Castle gets a rough deal with snow, different climate to the rest of the UK for anyone reading this, but even so decent winter tyres on the car should see you okay for nearly all situations. Getting an AWD XC60 will mean you are penalised for most of the year allowing for the very, very rare occasion when winter tyres are not enough. Get the snow chains as you suggest and that would then sort you out.

Out of interest what situations did the tyres fail in. What type of tyre did you have on?

Treads were Falken Eurowinter HS449, same as previous two winter seasons, and actually only a few weeks old. A good mid-price tread. In fairness the road I was trying to use was not a regular route and is rather steeper than my regular routes. The snow was fresh. On another occasion I just made it with thin fresh snow over hard-packed snow. Obviously studs (not allowed !) or chains would sort this one.

[Harvey1512]

After one really bad Northumberland winter I went for an AWD Yeti and put all season tyres on. It was fantastic and the next two winters, again bad ones, were a doddle. It never missed a beat and I felt wonderfully safe. After reading up about tyres a little more I decided to regain the extra mpg and go back at FWD but with winters. To be fair, since then we have only had one bad winter here, BC gets one every year I know, but this combination has been fine. I guess you are in the same position, which route to go down.

If you were doing small mileage I would say go AWD for the added security but as you do larger mileage then FWD, winter tyres and then snow chains for the odd bonkers road which you want to go up will do you okay.

[NigelDay]

My wife has a Fiat Panda Cross 4x4 with Continental ContiWinterContact TS 810. This only stops when then snow gets too deep ! I am inclined to go FWD / winter with chains for emergency.

[swishtony]

I fitted winter tyres this year, drove to ski in Tignes in January and our chalet was up a steepish side road covered in snow. FWD coped without problem.