It's pretty much all been said already. The Suzuki SX4 is about the only choice in the "affordable" sector, but it's a compact wagon. It has made a very favorable impression on reviewers and buyers, seems to be a likeable little car. Next step up is the Subaru Imprezza, which is an excellent choice. If you were wanting a V6, you may want to pony up for the Imprezza WRX; it's got a turbocharged version of the 2.5 liter Subaru flat-4 engine, and teh Boy will gain some street cred when the football team sees you drive up in that. If you want something a little more substantial you can step up to the Subaru Legend sedan, which you can get with leather and all that.
Other AWD choices include the new 2010 Ford Taurus (meh) or the BMW 330iX (pricey). Or you could find a used or leftover 2008 VW R32. I think the 3.2 version of the VW Eos convertible was also AWD but it's a girly car. Oh, wait, you're a girl, so it's okay.
Then there's the Audi Quattro models. There's an A3 2.0T Quattro, but it's thirty-one grand; A4 2.0T Quattro sedan for thirty-four grand.