Reason 1: Power and economy in a fuel-efficient package.

The standard powerplant for the CR-V is a large displacement 2.4-liter, 166-horsepower four-cylinder engine that provides 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. Many tinny and insubstantial economy cars struggle to attain such fuel efficiency rankings. Add in a perfectly geared five-speed automatic transmission and the CR-V manages to attain the perfect balance of performance and frugality.

Reason 2: It just feels substantial.

From the moment you slam the door to every time you crank the engine, the CR-V convinces you that it's every inch a Honda. That means that every aspect of the vehicle, from conception to manufacture, has been engineered to the highest standards. If you are buying the vehicle, you can count on it having good resale too.

Reason 3: Do you ever really go off-road?

While there is a small portion of the population that does enjoy the thrills of weekend off-roading, how often do you really hit the rutted roads up in the mountains? If you are more like the rest of us and really only need a solid full-time four-wheel drive setup for inclement weather and the occasional rough terrain, then Honda's Real-Time four-wheel drive system is all you'll ever need.

Reason 4: The CR-V is all the SUV you need.

Unless you have a family of seven, the CR-V is all anyone needs. With a cargo area featuring 73 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded, there are few chores that the CR-V can't handle. The CR-V was engineered so completely with families in mind that there is a small mirror in the front headliner that can be used by parents to monitor sibling battles in the rear seats.

Reason 5: The CR-V runs on regular

Even though gas prices have dropped lately, there's always the threat of price fluctuations. Even though gas is around $2 a gallon right now, the difference in cost between regular and premium gas can add up over the life of a vehicle. And with the economy in the state it is right now, most people are planning to keep their vehicles for the long haul.

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The Honda CR-V has many rivals in its market class, most noticeably the Toyota RAV4 and the Nissan Rogue. While the Toyota is as storied a nameplate as the CR-V, the Nissan is noticeably a first-generation design. Just sit in it and you will see that it just feels less substantial. The Toyota, while a valid choice, is pricier than the Honda CR-V and has lower reliability rankings. The Honda CR-V is truly all the SUV you will ever need.