winter traction: Narrow vs wide tires

Is it my imagination, or are narrow rimmed vehicles much better in the snow than wider rimmed vihicles, or is it simply a matter of chassis design? The cars are the same hieght off the ground, however, my wife's little old rice-burnner [corolla] is much better in the snow than my mid-size GM malibu.

As a matter of fact I need studded snows all the way around to go anywhere in the winter. THATS EXPENSIVE! All-seasons will not cut it at all with this car.

Is it my imagination, or are narrow rimmed vehicles much better in the snow than wider rimmed vihicles, or is it simply a matter of chassis design? The cars are the same hieght off the ground, however, my wife's little old rice-burnner [corolla] is much better in the snow than my mid-size GM malibu.

As a matter of fact I need studded snows all the way around to go anywhere in the winter. THATS EXPENSIVE! All-seasons will not cut it at all with this car.

Tire width does factor into traction, a wider tire will ride on a layer of snow instead of cutting through to the pavement underneath,
Also you must factor in size, weight transfer and some other factors of the vehicle in determining its ability to navigate snow