Well, in anything like this there's always trad-offs. I'll run down my last 2:
Current: 2010 Subaru Forester:
Positives: Decent clearance and a better than most AWD system means it handles most situations I throw at it. Does great (better than 4x4 trucks) in light snow and ice, thin mud, etc. Does better than anything I've ever driven on loose gravel/dirt roads, which lets face it, is much more common for a fisherman than deep snow and ruts. Decent gas mileage (25-27 mpg), considering its AWD all the time. Comfortable. Back seat folds down flat so you essentially can have a truck bed size for storage. Easy to drive with exceptional handling. Very nice vehicle.
Negatives: The gear is stored inside, meaning on multiple day fishing trips, where things get wet and such, the cabin can begin to get fairly rank. To have much storage space for fishing/camping, the rear seat has to be folded down, meaning you can haul gear or people, but not both. Acceleration is a bit sub-par on onramps and such, though it only seems to be an issue at mid-speed, it does fine from a stop or when passing at highway speed. Clearance still isn't equal to a truck, so deep snow, ruts, deep mud, etc. are problems. Paint scratches entirely too easily, so while traction is fine for 99% of typical fishing related off-roading, you'll scratch it all to heck. Terrible stock stereo, unlistenable. I'm not a stereo guy but I had to change it out quickly.
My last vehicle before that was a Dodge Dakota quad cab 4x4:
Positives: Went anywhere, it loved deep snow and ruts, big rocks, etc. Bed with cover was nice for fishing gear, kept it out of the cab. Plenty of room for camping gear, etc. Large backseat which is separate from the bed, so you can take passengers and gear simultaneously. Very powerful, acceleration was great and it rode nice on the highway. Easy to work on (lots of space around all things that need attention occasionally).
Negatives: Broke down constantly, it was a money pit. Gas mileage sucked, 17ish in ideal situations and 14-15 was more typical. Thats about it, but those are 2 pretty big ones!
Losing the rear diff. for the 2nd time in a year, combined with cash for clunkers being in effect at the time, did this vehicle in.
