MID-SIZE SUV/Crossover Tow Vehicles?

[decooney]

Question:
Any experience out here on club Cobra towing an open trailer and Cobra around 4,300 lbs. with a mid-size SUV that can only tow 5,000lbs. I'm parting with my existing Chevy Tahoe and Honda Accord, getting down to ONE SUV/Crossover; probably in search of something that does not exist yet, but keep looking. I have a feeling the new SUVs in 2010 will be what i need, but what exists in 2008/2009 that can do what I need, what am I missing out there?



Considerations:

- Shorter hauls, 500 mile trips or less.
- My dual axle 1,800lb trailer has electric brakes
- Car weighs 2,500lbs, tongue weight is nomimal.
- Total trailer/car weight is a total of 4,300 lbs.
- I gave up on aluminum trailer idea, keeping my steel trailer.

Requirements:
-Smaller mid-size like a V6/4Runner size
-Would like something a tad more nimble than my current '02 Tahoe
-Must be proven safe, worried about tail whipping issues
-SUV Crossover / Crossover Truck like Ridgeline or Avalanche still a consideration
-Must get over 22mpg on Freeway without a trailer
-Supports class 3+ tow hitch setup


Vehicles Researched So far:
-Ford Edge (limited to 3,500lbs)
-Murano/FX35 (limited to 3,500lbs)
-Honda Ridgeline (a bit too large for me, limit at 5,000lbs - still considering)
-4Runner (reports state V6 sags easlily, squirley, needs other costly leveling device provisions)
-Tahoe' 5.3 / Fuel Mgmt system (still a possibility, but not really midszie, want smaller)
-Tahoe Hybrid (too expensive, and still too big)
-VW Toureg II (bad MPG, expensive, reliability issues)
-Porsche Cayanne (I wish, big $$$, bad MPG)

Is there a Midsize Needle in the Haystack here somewhere, or coming out soon in 2009/2010?

Any great reports towing using a newer Honda Ridgeline, for long distances?