Jedi,
I would seriously have a look at a Subaru/Skoda Octavia 4x4/Audi Quattro/Passat 4motion fitted with winter tyres. You get supreme reliability and comfort, better safety ratings, practicality, and a car that will handle snow and ice very well without breaking the bank on fuel/tax/insurance.
On a Subaru the Symetrical All Wheel Drive is more subtle than standard 4x4's and is quicker to kick in than a viscous system (most 4x4 SUV and "crossovers" use viscous systems) which are only fully 4x4 once the rear wheels start to slip. Since they have to slip before the viscous coupling can work, you have already lost traction!
Something like a Defender/older Disco relies on mechanical connections and thus is as subtle as a brick! Its always there but because it has shafts and props connecting to the transfer box, it cannot compensate for different grip on each wheel, unlike an electronic system...hence they can feel jittery on icey roads as grip is constantly changing between ice, wet, tarmac, slush, sry etc. The new Rangies and Discos are a different game though as they use electronics.
