My choices would be:

Mazda3 hatch
Subaru Impreza hatch

The Golf is also known as a good drivers car - but German cars are expensive to fix and are build in Mexico anyway

I also like the Subaru Crosstrek XV but that is maybe not what this couple wants, but is worth considering for winter driving/ground clearance but obviously is less oriented to handling... Mazdas need to be rustproofed at Krown as they tend to be more rust prone than other Japanese cars.