Honda CR-V

There are good reasons Honda sells a lot of CR-Vs, among them, the compact SUV checks the main boxes most buyers are looking for in terms of affordability and functionality. Compact dimensions and responsive handling keep it maneuverable, easy to park, and enjoyable to drive. Rear-seat room and cargo space are generous too.

A mid-cycle freshening for 2015 brought styling detail updates to the front and rear fascias along with new wheels. The makeover also included a raft of new electronic safety features, additional equipment, and a 185-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine -- matched with the CR-V's first continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Adding direct fuel injection and the CVT brought an improvement of one mpg over pre-2015 models with the five-speed automatic. We measured 24 mpg overall.