Kevin,
Do you really need 2.5 tonnes? Or will 2.0 tonnes do? I am testing a 4wd Subaru Legacy 3.0. It is a fantastic car; fast, easy about town, well equipped and well put together. It meets your brief perfectly, apart from the extra bit of towing weight.
For 2.5 tonnes, you can also look at the Volkswagen Touareg, Volvo XC70 or Toyota Land Cruiser. They are all premium vehicles, but according to sources in the trade, the Toyota (petrol variants only) prices are softening, so you might get a bargain if you haggle a little bit.