First off...welcome to the affliction.
Going about choosing your first off-road rig is a momentous occasion, so your anxiety with regards to the choice of vehicle is perfectly understandable. In addition, spending a good deal of money is also an obvious source of tension, so I can perfectly empathise with what you're thinking, and how precious, snippets of advice must seem to you. Please let me warn you, though: such advice is ultimately incapable of hitting the nail exactly on the head. Putting forward theoretical examples of the best possible off-roaders, has little/nothing to do with actually being able to FIND such vehicles to buy.
When you ask a question like the one you have, please be prepared to be bombarded by so MANY points of view, that it will make the ultimate decision even MORE difficult. Our opinions will be tainted by what we drive respectively. You'll be advised to buy a Suzuki/Nissan/Mitsu/Toyota/Honda/Kia by sincere well-wishers, who are merely offering you their point of view, as refracted through the prism of their own understanding.
Let me thus come to the end point at the outset. Ultimately you MUST go with what you think suits you best. The fact that you already have an inclination towards some vehicle more than others, is a clear indication to you in this regard. However, in essence, I do agree with what you (and dms664) have already mentioned; a SWB, three door "compact" SUV...which can take a bit of a beating, is comfortable, and economical.
Choices in these are wide and diverse, within the type of money you're talking about. Some of the good "breeds" you can choose from are:-
a) Suzuki Jimny / Grand Vitara.
b) Toyota Rush / Daihatsu Bego / Toyota RAV4.
c) 70 Series TLC (RKR shape).
d) 90 Series TLC (Prado).
e) Mitsubishi Pajero / Shogun.
f) Range Rover Classic / Land Rover Overlander.
All of these are comparable vehicles, and your choice would essentially boil down to purely personal preference. Within the 2 Million price range, you can of course, get larger SUVs as well. Whether or not you NEED to do that, is again, your personal preference.
Lastly, there's the matter of condition. It's quite possible that you find an absolutely beautiful vehicle of a shape/vintage that you aren't seriously considering. Such vehicles have their own merit, which mustn't be disregarded. Personally, I would rate a brand new Jimny, far higher than a poor-condition 80 Series. Or a very well maintained Bego, better than a beaten up 70 Series. Keep an open mind when you go "SUV shopping". It'll stand you in good stead.
Best of luck with the endeavour.