Thanks for the continued replies guys. I’ll respond to them individually
The 3rd-gen RAV4 (2005-2012) has a push-button center differential lock. 1st and 2nd gen RAV4s have a very capable, full-time 4wd system, more like Subaru than the later, primarily front-wheel-drive systems.
Honestly the price was my main issue here. The cheapest non fwd Rav4 (2005+) on craigslist in my area is
$7500 AND it has 167k miles on it. I really can’t afford them, but for somebody with more cash, definitely an option.
Nissan Pathfinders are pretty good used values. The Nissan 4.0 has quite a bit more output than the Toyota 4.0. I just loaded some furniture into a previous-gen Pathfinder and was really impressed with the cargo volume....much better than the 4th-gen 4runner we were also loading.
Price is also my first red flag here. Looks like $8000 would be get me into something like this:
http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/cto/5169926742.html
Funny, I don't see a Subaru Forester on your list. No, it does not have a low range box but if you get it with an auto it has quite a bit of crawlability. It handily fits the 4-6 realm of your chart. It will get you in to places you would never expect. Hell, I've taken my CR-V on trails where people in Jeeps were surprised to see me and the crv is nowhere near as capable as a Forester. They have a decent aftermarket too, lifts, skids etc.
A agree, the forester is definitely at the top of the CUV list for me. The subie market in the NW is pretty inflated and to find a 2005 with less than 120k on it, that doesn't have a blown head gasket… Looks like a round $7k, which isn’t too far out of my budget. But… for three grand less I could get something like this:
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/5186778888.html
a 2004 Grand Vitara with 4w high and low, 17/20mpg and only 130k on it. Also, I’ve done a head gasket on a Subaru, not something I’m interested in doing again.
I have an XTerra, as much as I would like to recommend it, I don't think you will get a good one in your year and price range. You would want the 2005+ years and not the 1999-2004, which ups the cost. I think it is a very solid vehicle, but it is heavy, sharing the same chassis as the Titan. That adds weight, which increases fuel consumption.
I love mine and there is very little on the market I would rather have.
Thanks for the info, I came to the exact same conclusion. A little too expensive, a little poor on mpg.