4 wheel drive with all seasons vs. front wheel drive with snow tires

If you rent, you are at the complete dependency on the tires on the rental. But, you may not be stuck with all season tires. IMHO, you just may find a rental Awd with AT tires. All seasons wuld be too big a compromise if they had too many miles which you have no control over. Go over to the lot. Take a tire gauge and your smart phone and check reprorts from Tire Rack or oters on the spot when you look for a car. Otherwise, if you aren’t willing to do that reaserch, stay with the Corolla. But, Awd with decent AT or snow tires are the ultimate choice.
A 4Runner for example, should have them standard.