98% of the time I drive solo so cargo room isn't all that important.
I'm a little hesitant about another Subaru after dealing with the ice build up issue in the wheel wells on the Outback.
If any vehicle has wheel wells there will be ice build up, I've had over a hundred cars/trucks and all got ice accumulation. Subbys come from the world of ice and snow, I'd think that's the manufacture designer's first thought, taking the kids to school in the snow.
If you don't like Subbys that's okay too, but ice build up doesn't seem like a really valid point for staying away from that line of vehicle. I have a Forester, nice travel vehicle, if you get a used one, change all fluids to specs bumper to bumper, check the timing belt, compression test and check the cooling system to prevent head gasket issues, other than that they should be good to go.
Might get an inverter and plug it in, there are some low wattage heated tape products for wrapping pipes, I've used them along the edge of a metal roofs to prevent ice dams, works well, you could apply that inside the wheel wells and avoid the ice issue on any vehicle.
When mine gets built up too much I just get out and kick it off and go on.
