If you looking for something that's light with all-wheel drive, consider a Subaru Crosstrek. It comes fairly well equiped, is available with a 5-speed so you can tow 4 wheels down, and only weighs around 3100 lbs. Starts at around $22,000. The standard Subaru Impreza starts around $20,000, weighs in around 3000 lbs.
Have a 2013 Crosstrek, our 6th Subi. Very relible cars. The Crosstrek has almost 9 inches of ground clearence and a lot of owners take em off roading. Not a jeep, but will go most places a stock Jeep will.
Grumpy