Well, the Legacy CVT and that boxer type engine 2.5 handled US 14 through the Big Horn Mtns very well and had no issues walking up those grades. I did elect to use the paddle shifters at times, just because I could and it was kind of fun to do on those roads, but the CVT is smart enough to select the gear and rpm that is appropriate. I had not driven in twisty mountain roads for a long time but had no traction issues or lack of power. As I said earlier I had to learn to bleed down my lead foot a bit. The slightest punch into the gas pedal and you can go slingshot mode. I had to adjust to that a bit and increase following distance in city driving. Our trip was good weather, no snow , ice or rain,but it seemed to grip the road welland it had Cooper tires as I recall, CS3 or 4. Not sure with CVT if it is always in AWD or if it is mostly in FWD mode and kicks into AWD as needed. I also recall it had heated seats, (cloth seats) which I had never seen before.... I always thought heated seats had to be leather. Also did not have a temp guage, just an idiot light which I did not like. I would think Forester and Outback would have them. Anyway no problems with power as I could tell, and the Big Horn Mtns of Wyoming are a good test for that and it would have got an A plus from me. CVT does take a while to get used to though.