In the middle of the storm, when others were indoors, the Forester logged mile after mile without a fuss. Its all-wheel drive clawed through the snow and maintained control in just about any level of accumulation on the road.

If you live in New England, Colorado or the Pacific Northwest, Subarus are common sights. Here in Massachusetts, they frequently line the frost-heaved and salt-worn streets. Subaru has focused on the advantages of its symmetrical all-wheel drive as long as anyone in the business, and its efforts have yielded a stellar reputation for all-weather driving capability. Through the tumultuous auto bailout years, Subaru was one of only two brands to post positive sales numbers. If you think the Toyota Camry has a loyal following, it's nothing compared to the the near cult-status of the Subaru lineup.

The flagship of this lineup is the 2014 Subaru Forester. This high-riding wagon has capability and versatility that far exceed that of many other car-based crossovers. Through the years, the Forester has grown in size, but not to the same extent seen elsewhere in the industry. The Forester has largely stuck to the same formula that has made it such a popular midsize, 5-passenger crossover. However, Subaru may have kept the 2014 Forester too close to the formula, as this high-riding wagon feels dated at times.