Not only is it the vehicle of choice (US SKI TEAM) for high mountain passes in blizzard conditions it has much thinner tires than big old trucks whose fat tires spin and spin in heavy snow conditions. Subaru tires cut threw the snow down into the hard stuff and even the pavement for traction. I've been in the mountains in Wyoming with a Ford Raptor that looks like it belongs in a monster truck show. Comes with 4 WD and all the trimmings. Stuck in the snow. Called my wife who drove her Forester up to get us-with a little bid of sliding she made it fine. Precisely because the car did not have wide tires. Don't let anyone fool you -its a great car-just doesn't look macho enough for some-until they see it coming to help out.