I disagree that "nothing will do but an SUV" for long trips (though frankly the main problem is that the vast majority of people who drive these monstrosities are those who use them for city and suburban driving; even lower mileage! I have no problem with peopel who use them for what they were deisgned for...but virtually no one does).

A Subaru Outback is roomy, is available with 4-wheel drive and is an excellent car in terms of of overall value and mileage. My friends who live in Vermont (where they have real weather) swear by them.

If "nothing else will do" in terms of comfort what on earth did people do before SUVs? Suffer?

It's like people who think they just can't get by without using their cell phones while driving...five years ago we'd have laughed at such a notion...