Trailer plus 2.5 tonnes off-road is commercial - why would any other road car be considered?

Smart 4wd suits the needs of the vast majority.

The vast majority of 4x4s never go near a field and as some have discovered, a 4x4 on ice is as lethal as 2wd.. (A local was killed in a 4x4 skidding on ice and overturning into a stream)

Nothing has traction on ice - the point of going for a "proper" offroader as a winter car is the air intake will (should!) be sensibly mounted as far away as possible from potential floodwater.

Any car will cope with 99% of the UK's winter conditions on appropriate tyres, if you're in an area where flood water is a common problem then that introduces a key requirement for an off-road type car.

Mitsubishi Outlander ... this is a permanent four wheel drive car (as long as you don't accidentally buy a two wheel drive version!) .

Mitsubishi’s AWC philosophy for the second generation Outlander introduced in 2005 combines an electronically controlled four-wheel drive with an Active Skid and Traction Control (ASTC) system. Mitsubishi used an aluminum roof to lower the center of gravity for better handling response. The Outlander is also available with standard front-wheel drive layout that also included the ASTC system. The previous Outlander employed a 50:50 full-time four-wheel drive system using a viscous coupling center differential. Mitsubishi decided to use the AWC system on the new Outlander that offers three vehicle drive modes and proactively reduces the likelihood of wheel slippage. [20]

The driver can use a drive-mode dial on the center console to select “FWD” for best fuel economy; with “4WD Auto” mode selected, the system uses a rear-mounted electronically controlled transfer clutch to automatically and seamlessly route more power to the rear wheels, depending on driving and road surface conditions. The driver can freely change the drive mode at any time. When “4WD Auto” mode is selected, the Outlander's 4WD system always sends some power to the rear wheels, automatically increasing the amount under full throttle acceleration. The coupling transfers up to forty percent of available torque to the rear wheels under full-throttle acceleration, and this is reduced to twenty five percent over 40 miles per hour. At steady cruising speeds, up to fifteen percent of available torque is sent to the rear wheels. At low speeds through tight corners, coupling torque is reduced, providing a smoother feel through the corner. [20]

For driving in particularly challenging conditions, such as snow, the driver can select “4WD Lock” mode. In Lock mode, the system still apportions front and rear torque automatically, but enables greater power transfer to the rear wheels. In dry conditions, 4WD Lock mode places priority on performance. More torque is directed to the rear wheels than in 4WD Auto mode to provide greater power off the line, better control when accelerating on snowy or loose surfaces, and enhanced stability at high speeds. Rear wheel torque transfer is increased by 50 percent over the amounts in 4WD Auto mode – meaning up to 50 percent of available torque is sent to the rear wheels under full-throttle acceleration on dry pavement. When in 4WD Lock mode, torque at the rear wheels is reduced by a smaller degree through corners than with 4WD Auto mode. [20]

The new Outlander features standard ASTC system on all models, unlike the previous-generation. ASTC helps to prevent side slipping (spin and side drift) as a result of sudden steering wheel operation or on slippery roads. Overall vehicle stability is enhanced in all driving conditions. In front-wheel drive Outlander models – and under all driving modes in four-wheel drive models – ASTC helps keep the vehicle traveling in the driver’s intended direction. The ASTC system takes data input from a number of sensors, including steering angle, individual wheel speed and yaw, as well as from the powertrain electronic control unit (ECU). When it detects side-slipping or wheel spin, ASTC provides integrated control of brakes, engine torque (via the electronic throttle control), transmission and electronically controlled four-wheel drive to improve vehicle stability.

In low traction conditions there's nothing "smart" about only driving the front wheels and then bringing the rears in when the car's already in trouble. Nothing gives you better traction than permanent four wheel drive - no matter how dumb it sounds.

Thank you Steve Lee! Engaging straight mechanical 4WD immediately shares the engine power between 4 wheels instead of two, so halves the power each tyre is trying to put to the road.

I've been telling people this for years, but they insist on buying vehicles with over-sophiscated 4WD systems.

And lugging 2 1/2 tons of firewood out of a boggy forest is not a commercial operation, I'ts what some people do over here to stay warm in winter!