Good ground clearence what to buy? - Mogwyth

We currently run a Nissan X trial as the daily commuter vehicle, 60 mile round trip rural roads, which starts and ends with a mile of rough track. It's due for replacement and with rising fuel prices and both working in the NHS so on a pay freeze we need to find something a bit more economical, 4 wheel drive is not important as we have several Land Rovers if the going gets rough, ground clearence is, size is not overly important as there is usualy only the wife and I, but we are used to high-up vehciles, with a bit of comfort and good drivabilty, we are both the wrong side of forty so not boy racers but we don't plod around at 45mph either. Our budget is about £10,000 any thoughts?