[look 171]

I have had a bunch of Toyotas (trucks, SUVs and cars included)and they have been great cars and when they did break, it was always my fault for abusing them off road. Since you are in Montana, low range 4wd must be important. I own a last gen. 4 runner now and am complete happy with it with the exception of the tranny. It likes to shift to highest gear ASAP no matter what speed. Thank goodness for tip, so I shift. Fuel mileage is not great but it is what it is. It has low range gears which I like when driving to the mall to get my new man-bag in our Socal drizzle, three weeks out of the year. I also hear great things about the Pathfinder, but am not sure about the latest gen. Its a uni-body car, so I suspect no low range? Keep in mind that they will feel very small because you are used to the full size monster. I drive my dodge diesel sometimes, so when I get into a smaller truck, I feel cramped.

The limited 4 runner has the X-REAR suspension. For on road use, it handles well, very well. Not that you would do that with a 4 Runner but its there if you need to make a quick move to avoid an accident. I have taken it to some light duty off road and stream crossing with stock tires, and it did OK. so, I suspect it will be fine in the snow. CAn't wait for ski season.

the ford flex is pretty nice and its the buzz word around parents at our school. If you can wait for a couple of years, used ones will drop like a big stone.