What I have to deal with here is no snow on the main roads, and typically 6" to 1 foot in the subdivision. Since I can't stop to put chains on and studs are illegal here, from what you're telling me a 4WD would work best.
In my experience, the traction of my RWD Mustang is not sufficient in any snow. The FWD minivan does much better in our subdivision.
I'm not concerned about sliding and the like. I'm concerned about not getting stuck over and over again (like last year) in my subdivision. :-)