You'd be surprised at the difference a good set of winter tyres makes. They are designed to perform when the temperature drops below 7 degrees, so even in cold but dry temperatures, they'll perform better than summer tyres. Depending on how much space you need, I'd be looking for something like a Suzuki Vitara or Honda CR-V and fitting a set of winter tyres. Unless you plan on driving through muddy fields, these should be sufficient for your needs.