I’ve wrestled with the same questions and reached the same conclusions here:
Airnimal Rhino
BF Diamond Llama

less impactful trails (more dirt than ruts)
Reach GT
Birdy GT

All of them are expensive (and I’m trolling Craigslist constantly for used ones), but you get what you pay for. That being said, I’ve seen used Rhinos on Craigslist in the South. Possibly because the lone USA dealer (Mt. Airy bikes) is in Maryland.
http://www.bike123.com/