My mom has an XB, the older box style. We don't live super far from where you are I think. Philadelphia area here. Hers is a manual, but it handled this winter okay. She stayed home in the worst of it, like most people, but for being low it's decent. I think it has some sort of traction control.
I have an 06 Equinox, got for $5800, not 4wd. I don't go out in the crazy snow either, and except for mine being better around the horrible potholes, I could drive either just as well. There is no center rear head rest on the equinox. I can't recall if the XB does have one, and my mom is out now. I'm not sure about 3 boosters across the XB though. The back seat of the equinox has dog crates on it. I rarely put my niece in it in a rf seat, and my mom took it to and from fl To get my sister.
If the equinox crashes ok, there are a few other cars which are just rebadges you can look for. I'm pretty sure the gmc terrain is the same car pretty much, and there is maybe one other. I'm not sure it would make much difference for your stuff, but it does for my dog crates, but the wheel wells in the rear sort of cut into the trunk area. If they didn't cut in, my dog crates should both be able to fit back there. They would in a ford escape. I'd rather the dogs be in the passenger area anyway when possible, but I thought I'd point it out if it might matter for your equipment.