I have stock 17" Goodyear all-seasons on my 05X and drove in snow on Saturday - about 3" on an un-plowed, un-salted roads at 2:30 AM with significant white-out (snow still falling). Now let me just say that I am normally a wuss in my previous FWD car in snow - crawling and anticipating slip all over the place.

Anyway, I flipped on snow mode and drove home. City driving was unreal - no noticible slips and traction galore through turns and uphill. When I got to the highway I was moving at what I felt was comfortable given the conditions and about 10 minutes later noticed I was going 60...I would never do 60 in snow before. Now, there were only a few cars on the road but I really felt like I was in control.

My opinion? This car eats snow.

 

Don't get too over-confident with the X t0pher, remember you still have those all seasons on. You might be able to accelerate fast in the snow but your stopping ability on ice and snow is still no better than rwd cars with all seasons.
If you are impressed now, you should get some good winters on and you would have a permanent smile on your face

 

Believe me - I know. Thanks for the advice but I am still very conservative in snow. I was just so impressed with the AWD and VDC in this car.

Now just give me your wheels, please?!?

 

haha , thats right I'm supposed to give you my wheels , I forgot .
NOT!!!

And you are right the X is just plain fun in the snow .