If a Jeep is out of the question, consider a Hummer H3. I have one that we purchased for towing and it is very adaptable. (You just press and hold the "N" button for 10 seconds and you're good to go. No lock on the steering wheel either.) And, it handles very well as a daily driver and is a comfortable freeway car. It is the most off road capable vehicle made, outside of the Jeep.
We also have a 2012 Honda CRV that is all wheel drive. I haven't had it set up for towing, but they make very good toads. However, it doesn't have the off road handling that your wife's Jeep had.