Really can't go wrong with the CR-V - it's spacious enough in this class, safe, well designed, has bulletproof reliability, good fuel economy, finally a decent RealTime 4WD (previously the system was rather crude and mechanical, but it's been improved), resale value, and styling that isn't overly trendy so it'll look good for awhile. Of course, you pay for that. But if you plan to load any SUV up with a few options, you're nearly at the price of the CR-V, so it's not so bad.
If you're looking to save some coinage, the Santa Fe or the Tucson are great value SUVs as well. There's NOTHING wrong with the quality of the Hyundais, and everyone I know that has a Santa Fe absolutely raves about it. The resale may not be as good today, but is getting better as Hyundai's reputation improves and people perceive the quality over time. Biggest negative is the fuel economy as far as I'm concerned, but if you're saving a few thousand up front, that's less of an issue. And they have a longer warranty, often cash discounts or superb 0% financing deals too. Even tho the Santa Fe is older, I look at it and think it's a bigger machine and would have a hard time deciding between it and Tucson even tho the Tucson is newer. Prices overlap (in fact, are more a less stacked) between them, and sales are split fairly evenly between the two. Tucson does look like a more fun and adventurous 'backpack SUV' as the TV commercial suggests.
Others I would consider would be the Subaru Forester and while you're there the Legacy Wagon (although it's tighter in the rear seats). Also, the Nissan X-Trail makes a convincing case for itself against the CR-V as it has more personality - the large available sunroof, the bright and airy interior with large glass area and central instrumentation, the interior just seems more basic-yet-works in an indescribable comfort for me. It's less of a cocoon. Exterior is handsome as well.
The Mazda5 I REALLY LOVE, as most regulars on the forum know. It's very large inside relative to the exterior dimensions (it's based off the Mazda3 compact) and has tonnes of room for 4 people (is a 6-passenger vehicle tho) and luggage with versatile flat-folding seats, is great to drive (much sportier), and the pricing is hard to beat. In fact, where pricing in fuel economy go, it's very similar to a Tucson except the Mazda5 doesn't come with AWD and tops out at $25Gs or so. The Mazda5 is involved in a recall which is just being corrected now, and since it's been received well the 6 week (or thereabouts) stop-sale on them means that there's probably a many-month wait to get one. But, you mentioned you live off the beaten path and require higher ground clearance, which a Mazda5 doesn't have. Also, you'd need snow tires in winter for it, as the standard units are tuned more for performance.
There are lots of other options, foreign and domestic, but it depends on the size of vehicle you're after and how much you're planning to realistically spend. For example, the Chevy Equinox has a huge back seat, but perhaps you don't want the standard V6's power/fuel economy or have something against a GM product. Likewise, the Ford Freestar is a great crossover with tonnes of room (it's a size-up), but you wouldn't want to stretch to low $30's for one.
This forum is a great tool. Hope you gain some knowledge by sifting thru our preferences and reasoning, and that it helps!
