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Given I have owned and run a Mazda3 for 14 years since new and without any issues depsite me living 'in the sticks' about 50 miles from London, I've never had any issues. TBH, I didn't really have much problems getting about in winter even when I had my car shod on summer tyres (for 12 years), although now it is on all-season CC+s.
I would advocate to the OP that because really heavy snow is a rarity in the Sout of England, at most having a car shod on all-season tyres (preferably those more summer-biased or neutral rather than winter-biased) is more than adequate for most cars.
The best thing to do, other than the above to avoid getting stuck is to not get a car with low profile (under 50 profile) tyres, which will also help ride quality, especially over our 'lovely' potholed roads, mean the tyres, wheels and suspension is less susceptible to damage and general wear and tear (the extra air in the tyre and higher sidewall does more of the work) and thus save you £££ over the longer term.
I personally would NOT get the top-spec 'Sport' model of the Mazda 3 or CX-5 as it'll be shod on low profile tyres. The SE/SE-L (Nav) models come on smaller wheels (16-17in) and around 60 profile tyres, giving a decent ride quality, and still have a decent spec otherwise (hence why they are the most popular) and rarely find their way back to dealers compared to Sport models and Diesel-engined cars.
Whilst none of them will be quick, they are much better than the Jazz you've got and fine for most people. If you want to test drive any of them, don't be fobbed off by a main dealer into test driving a Sport version shod on the 18/19in rims and low profile tyres - the ride is firm and may well put you off anyway, never mind the other issues I mentioned (and the tyres are much more expensive). If you need to check the ride quality of the others, better to test drive a lower spec car as the only difference really is the trim/equipment, not the engine or tyres.
One thing to bear in mind is that the Mazda3 hatch has an average sized boot for its size (about 360L), so is about the same or even a bit less than some models of the Jazz (depends on which version of both you look at). The saloon/Fastback has a bigger boot at around the 410-420L mark, but the opening is small, is thus more difficult to get certain larger items in (if at all) through that opening and the high bootline makes it difficult to park at the rear (parking sensors are a must).
It is nice looking, but as they are less popular, you need to get a discount over a similar specced hatchback version to make it worthwhile (but then I'm biased as I own one).
The Civic is certainly worth a look as well (more peppy engine than the Mazda's, not as good on the handling front), especially as the boot is REALLY big on the latest and previous version of the car.
One thing to point out is that if you are going to be living in a very rural area (down a country lane/in a small village with narrow roads), the big SUVs/4x4s may not always be the best unless your home is on a hill and the road regularly gets very wet/muddy from surface run-off from fields or farm vehicle going by. Because they are relatively wide vehicles, negotiating such roads could be a pain, thus ordinary cars may be better.
I would check out what boot size and passenger space you need first, as you may want to look for some narrower cars. TBH, your Jazz may do fine (and save you a shed load of £££) if shod on decent A/S tyres - if it's getting long in the tooth, then similar sized cars as well as the ones mentioned might suit, including the Mazda CX-3 SE-L (Nav), which might do but is admitedly a bit small inside (essentially a Mazda2 interior with a Mazda3 hatch-sized boot, but not on Sport models) - its a good handler, nippy enough and comes in auto form. The same issues with the diesels and Sport models.
Have a look around on this site for possibles. www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/
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