Honda likes to claim that it created the compact SUV, but past and present owners Jeep Cherokees and Suzuki Samurais from the eighties might disagree. Honda was, however, the first automaker to build a compact SUV on a car platform-the Civic, in this case. As with others like the Toyota RAV4 and the Ford Escape that have arrived to the compact SUV party since, the new-for-'02 CR-V offers the kind of on-road comfort and reasonable fuel economy once reserved for sedans with the versatility and visibility of an SUV.

The CR-V is perhaps the most state-of-the-art compact SUV on the road. Not only does it have a sweet four-cylinder engine (but alas, no V-6 option -- sigh), but it also has tons of nifty features like front and rear seats that recline into a dual chaise lounge-like arrangement. It also has an astonishingly spacious rear cargo area, thanks to fold-flat rear seats and an impressive opening. The dashboard has a funky e-brake and, on CR-V's equipped with automatic transmissions, a similarly funky shifter movement. One gripe is that in order to get ABS, you have to get the pricey EX model. But if you can afford that, you'll get a very well-built and comfortable urban shuttle.