Mk2 Toyota Rav4

Of all the 4wd fashionable type SUVs, the Rav Mk1 and Mk2  with their unsophisitcated but tough as old boots, over engineered 4wd system and clever gearing (first is an extended crawler gear to avoid the need and cost of a low ratio box) combined with auto-difflock and relatively high suspension travel meant that they were far more off road capable than ever given credit for.  I've taken mine where no modern SUV would go, and where you'd really only usually be happy in a Defender.  Ground clearance is better than most but still the limiting factor.   15 inch ballon tyres shod with Yokohama Geolanders will take you most places except deep mud.  They're really nippy on road too.  As you say, great in the snow too, you rarely have to get worried about getting stuck!

Imho, the recipe of really light weight, robust engineering and reliability combined with a really comfortable driving position and seats, and lots of useful space, make these one of the best all round cars I ever owned.   Fun to drive.  We also have a Lexus RX450h which ultimately is way more sophisticated and comfortable, faster and roomier, but not as much fun to drive and nowhere near as capable off road, but it's decent enough in snow covered roads.