Why do you need the 4 wheel drive?
How about a Toyota Matrix with 4 wheel drive, Mini Cooper all4 or even a Jeep Wranger with a trailer hitch would almost get ok mileage but with more ground clearance and would impress your friends more.
take a look at the EPA MPG
Power Search and you can select vehicle age, drive train, body style and so on, then it will give you a list of vehicles that match and their epa rated mileage.