I find myself in a good position to respond to this thread. I purchased my first Subaru Outback in Jan. 2000, it proved to be an outstanding vehicle that in eight years I put 178,000 miles on. In 2007 I purchased a 2008 Outback and drove it approximately 90,000 miles before selling it a couple months ago so I could purchase my CT. During this time I used them to pull my Hobie 17 all over the southeast to attend regattas (frequently on & off ocean beaches), hall bicycles to many charity rides (including a 10 ft. long tandem), go on skiing trips that included spending three months in Summit County Colorado each winter since 2005 with constant snow conditions and temps down to -35f (as well as the road trip between Breckenridge and North Carolina each year). These Subaru's proved to be excellent and very reliable vehicles that (as you can see above) were tested in extreme conditions; I had very little trouble with them.
When I decided to purchase a new vehicle the current Subaru Outback was basically at the top of my list based on my prior experience with the brand. However, they had made some changes to the vehicle (making it taller and changing the luggage rack such that it did not work well with my Thule roof rack system) which I did not care for since it lowered the utiltiy of the vehicle to me. At 5'10" I needed a vehicle that I could easily get bicycles and kayaks on and off; additionally, while I am in Colorado skiing I carry my various skis in a top box to which I need easy access (every try to get skis in or out of a top box while balancing on a ladder, in ski boots, in a icy/snowy parking lot).
I test drove a Totota Venze and was considering it. However, there happened to be a Honda dealer next door to the Toyota dealer; since it was right there I though I might as well test the CT even though I was fairly certain I was not interested in it.
Needless to say the performance, comfort, and especially the cabin quiteness of the CT convinced me that it was the vehicle for me. It is not as tall as the Outback or the Venza and my Thule rack system works on it very well; so, the utility of carry the bikes, kayaks, skis, etc. was excellent. If this CT will perform well under the winter conditons of the Colorado Rockies (as I expect it to) I will be a very, very happy owner.
Our trips thus far have only been for several hundred miles at a time, the real test will occur in late December when I head out on my 1,800 mile trip to Colorado. But, if I could make this trip for the past seven years in a far nosier and less comfortable Outback, this winter should be great.