One of the keys to being happy is finding the right fit, and that goes for sport utility vehicles just like everything else.

Small or compact SUVs, sometimes called "cute utes," are a perfect fit for those who want flexibility and fun in a package that is tidy and more affordable than a midsize SUV.

At least two dozen of these compact sport utility vehicles are currently on the market. They are increasingly popular and more are coming. Through October of 2007 sales of these vehicles were up 1.7%, while sales of all vehicles are down 2.8%, according to J.D. Power and Associates, the market-research firm.

Compact SUVs are available with front-wheel drive for those who are not worried about the snow or all-wheel drive for those who are. In addition, fold-down back seats and tall roofs mean they can carry five passengers or a stunning amount of cargo for their size.

Their smaller size and four-cylinder engines mean a huge improvement in fuel economy -- typically five or six more miles per gallon -- compared to a midsize SUV with a V6.

Our picks meet all these criteria. And the good news is that their base models come so well-equipped that we can recommend the least expensive versions.

The three 2008 models we like best are the Honda CR-V, the Toyota RAV4 and the Nissan Rogue. Here's why.

Honda CR-V

The CR-V is just a great all-around choice in this segment. And consumers agree with us. Since Honda redesigned the CR-V for the 2007 model year, it has been the best-selling small SUV. The new CR-V has a sleeker, more stylish look, handling that is fun and a ride that is slightly firm but never hurtful.

The only transmission is a great, five-speed automatic which goes with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that feels much stronger than its 166 horsepower rating.

Its interior looks a bit cheap compared to the others but there is room for four, six-foot adults. Its almost 36 cubic feet of cargo space is comparable to the others, which is about twice the size of the trunk of most full-size sedans.

All CR-Vs come with vital safety equipment as standard equipment. One of those technologies is electronic stability control, which tries to stop a skid. Another is air curtains which cover the side windows to provide head protection in a side-impact crash. The CR-V has a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Unless you live in an area where you need all-wheel drive, we'd stick with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive adds $1,200 regardless of the trim level.

We would get the entry-level LX model, which is nicely equipped for $21,335. Moving up a notch to the EX will cost you an extra $2,250.

For that, the most significant things you get are a sunroof and CD player that puts six discs in the dash instead of one.

Toyota RAV4

Despite the hopes and encouragement of others not all of us mature as nicely as the Toyota RAV4. Redesigned as a 2006 model it has become a far more polished package.

It is also the most flexible of our trio. If there is the slightest chance that you might need to carry more than five people, the RAV4 is the only one of our group with an optional third row seat. However, it is a $950 option for tiny, somewhat desperate accommodations.

The RAV4's interior is lovely and quiet. It matches the Honda for the best front and rear legroom, which means four adults can travel in comfort. Its ample cargo capacity behind the second row is comparable to the CR-V and significantly better than the Rogue.

On the standard model (there is a sport suspension) the handling and ride is a fine blend of comfort and poise. Even the 166 h.p., 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with the four-speed automatic provides good acceleration. For the speed crazed there's a holy-smokes 269-h.p. 3.5-liter V6 with a five-speed automatic.

Standard safety equipment includes electronic stability control and a side-impact protection package that includes air curtains and seat-mounted bags for chest protection. In the Insurance Institute's frontal and side-impact crash tests the 2007 RAV4 equaled the CR-V. The RAV4 missed joining them as a "Top Safety Pick" because its head restraints did not do as good a job in a rear-impact test.

We recommend the $21,785 "base" front-wheel drive with the four-cylinder engine. All-wheel drive costs an additional $1,400. The V6 is great fun but will cost you another $2,035.

Nissan Rogue

Nissan's first small SUV offers an impressive combination of comfort and handling.

The steering is good, the brakes feel reassuring and it's agile enough to be fun on even the most challenging roads. When the pavement gets rough, Rogue smoothes out the bumps more effectively than the CR-V.

The 170 h.p., 2.5-liter engine is strong and the performance is even better because it's linked to a continuously variable transmission or CVT. The CVT uses belts instead of individual gears. So, push on the gas and the vehicle responds almost instantly because there is no wait for the transmission to downshift a gear or two. The Rogue just goes.

We also like the Rogue because even the least-expensive model comes with all the most important safety gear as standard equipment. That means anti-lock brakes; electronic stability control and air curtains. The Rogue has yet to be crash tested by either the federal government or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The front seats are comfortable and the interior is nice looking with easy-to-use controls. One thing we don't like is that rearward visibility is not great.

The Rogue falls behind the CR-V and RAV4 when it comes to second-row legroom. It has about three inches less. That's a lot. The 29 cubic-feet of cargo space behind the second row is significantly less than the Toyota or Honda.

Now, here's the downside. The powertrain suffers from annoying vibrations at times, primarily at low engine speeds -- about 1,200 revolutions per minute. Pulling away from stops we'd notice a tremor through the steering wheel and even floorboards. At highway speeds there's no problem. But in around-town driving it is annoying.

The price on the Rogue is so attractive, however, that we could live with the vibration. We'd recommend the base or "S" model in front-wheel drive. It is $19,995, including the destination charge. For those worried about snow and steep hills the all-wheel drive model costs $1,200 more.

By Christopher Jensen

Interest.com Contributing Editor

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