I don't really commute all that much with my cyclecross (Specialized Tricross Sport), but think that it's ideally suited for the job. The slightly shorted wheel base makes it a very maneuverable bike to negotiate urban traffic, as well as to dodge pot holes and other potential hazards.

In comparison to my beater bike (a hybrid) with a longer wheel base, I find that I often can avoid a pot hole with the front wheel only, and despite my best effort to completely swerve around it, the back wheel somehow will usually take the blow. My cyclecross on the other hand, will most often completely dance around the hazard.

My advice is not to become pretentious with it's capabilities...don't ride off of or over curbs, don't ride over pot holes because you think that your bike can take it. Your bike will be happier and you'll reduce your chance of a spill. Also, I'd avoid riding in snow. I find that my Tricross is very unstable in even in a few inches of snow. I'm told that the reason for the instability is the shorter wheel base, as well as the center of gravity is higher due to the crankcase being higher off the ground.