It is great in the snow and sitting up higher is always an advantage, IMO.
Disagree on that. Roll over risk is higher when you're, um, higher. A mid sized car is likely safer than an SUV. Goes against popular opinion, but the stats tell their own story (and that is from someone that just bought a minivan - I believe it is less intrinsically safe than a car).
Rollover risk has nothing to do with height but with centre of gravity (COG) and that revolves around design. The SUV rollover issues are mostly of the past. Anyway, sitting up higher has more to do with having good sightlines and view over traffic and that contributes to safety as well. Add in the good 4WD that the RAV4 has and it has been one of our better snow vehicles.
Being able to see over encourages driving too close to the vehicle in front. It's larger=better mentality.
Toronto-ish, well, if you're saying you have snow issues, I'd love to know what vehicles have had big problems. RWD I can see (drove a Crown Vic for a few years; certainly they are tricky, even with snow tires, and traction control). FWD? Meh. 4wd just adds cost all round. Driving up gravel, rarely ploughed roads, in a hilly area? Ok. Mostly driving in town or on highways? Anything is fine. Provided you drive sensibly. If you don't, it doesn't matter what you drive.
*Edit* I'm not trying to suggest, in any way, the OP's vehicle in question is a bad choice. I have no idea what their uses will be. "Buy the least vehicle you can" seems the most sensible advice, and for most people, an SUV is not that vehicle. They are taller, more expensive to maintain and drive, while not necessarily offering that much more usable space over a car. CRV vs Civic, Rav4 vs Corolla, and so on - if you can't fit in a Corolla, try a Matrix or Vibe; if you can't fit in those, then sure, a Camry or Rav4 or whatever. If you need good 4wd, Impreza would be the first suggestion.