It makes it nice. Another thing that's nice is the almost 3:1 low range. Most 4x4 SUV's have a 2:1 low, and in serious climbing, it ain't enough.

What comes to mind for me is the Corkscrew in Colorado. Even short wheelbase Jeeps can't always turn sharp enough for those switchbacks, since they were cut out of that 45 degree rock slope for pack mules. When you reverse to make the corner, your front end is hanging over a precipice. Having it ''get away from you'' on that slope, and you're in for a very bad ride to the bottom. Brakes would be pretty worthless there.