I have been very happy with my Jeep Grand Cherokee. It's a 97 4WD with the inline 6 cylinder engine. 167,000 miles. Still gets 17 mpg city, 24 hwy. No major repairs needed, but the tranny does need fliud changes more often than other vehicles I've had (about every 12 k miles). I've read the v-6s are not as good on gas, and the v-8s are even worse.
It's is actually a good time to buy a vehicle. Prices are down and rebates are high. Most peopel are getting away from SUV's, but if you need one, the prices have fallen. Financing may be an issue, but I'm sure not as big a one as they are reporting on the news. If I were in your shoes I would look at the Grand Cherokee or the new Commander. I'd research Consumer Reports thouroghly and other online reviews.
Chrysler (Jeep) does not seem to be in as bad a shape as GM.