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 and uses far less gasoline than a midsize SUV.

Compact SUVs are available with front-wheel drive for those who aren't 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 (it sometimes helps if one is a child) 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 of 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 2009 models we like best are the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester. 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, fun handling and a ride that is firm but tolerable on all but the worst roads.

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

The CR-V's interior looks a bit cheap compared with the others, but there is room for four 6-foot adults. Its almost 36 cubic feet of cargo space is comparable to the others and about twice the size of the trunk of most full-size sedans.

All CR-Vs come with vital safety equipment as standard items. One of those technologies is electronic stability control, which tries to stop a skid. Another is air curtains that 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 to the price, regardless of the trim level.

We'd get the entry-level LX model, which is nicely equipped for $21,765. It is rated at 20 miles per gallon in city driving and 27 m.p.g on the highway, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Moving up a notch to the EX will cost you an extra $2,250. The most significant upgrades include a sunroof, CD player that puts six discs in the dash instead of one, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, a dual-deck cargo shelf and rear privacy glass.

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 favorites. If there is the slightest chance that you might need to carry more than five people, the RAV4 is the only one with an optional third-row seat. There is not much room in the third row, but it beats walking.

Toyota says the third row is available for $700 to $940, depending on the trim level. But consumers may have a hard time finding one on the lots. The reason is that Toyota lets dealers in different regions offer only certain combinations of options.

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 Nissan Rogue.

On the standard model (there is a sport suspension), the handling and ride are a fine blend of comfort and poise. Although a 166-h.p., 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine has provided adequate power in the past, '09 RAV4s come with a more powerful 179-h.p., 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine with four-speed automatic. 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 RAV4 did just as well as the CR-V and the Rogue. But it was not a "Top Safety Pick," because its head restraints did not do as good a job preventing neck injuries in a rear-impact test.

We recommend the $22,245 base front-wheel drive with the four-cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission. It's rated at 22 m.p.g. city and 28 m.p.g. highway. All-wheel drive costs an additional $1,400.

Subaru Forester

You'll find that the all-new 2009 Forester is roomier than ever, with a comfier ride and more safety equipment.

The second row seat has about four inches of additional legroom, which means the Forester can now carry four adults in comfort. It also offers plenty of cargo room.

All Foresters are equipped with important safety equipment ranging from air curtains for side-impact protection to antilock brakes and electronic stability control. It did so well in the severe crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety that it got a "Top Safety Pick" label.

It also comes with Subaru's excellent full-time all-wheel drive system, which accounts for the vehicle's popularity in mountainous, snowy regions like the Rockies.

With a redesigned suspension, the Forester offers a ride that is amazingly comfortable, even on a bad road. Meanwhile, the handling is good once the driver gets used to a bit of body lean under hard cornering.

The 2.5-liter, 170-h.p., four-cylinder engine will get you where you're going. But a 224-h.p. turbocharged version will get you there a little faster.

The least expensive turbocharged model (called the 2.5 XT) is $26,890 and has a four-speed automatic transmission, the only transmission available. It's plenty of fun, but Subaru recommends premium fuel and its EPA rating is only 19 m.p.g. city and 24 m.p.g. highway.

We prefer the more commonsense 170-horsepower engine. It has plenty of power, uses regular fuel and gets better fuel economy. The EPA rating is 20 m.p.g. city and 27 m.p.g. highway with the manual transmission, 20 m.p.g. city and 26 m.p.g. highway.

The least-expensive Forester, the 2.5X, starts at $20,690 with a five-speed manual transmission and a nice list of standard equipment. Figure another $1,200 for a four-speed automatic transmission.

If you can afford more, go for the 2.5X with the Premium Package, which costs $23,190 for the manual transmission or $24,190 for an automatic. One reason we like it is because it comes with the panoramic sunroof -- as well as some other features such as a reclining rear seatback -- which is huge and makes the Forester seem even roomier and just about perfect.

By Christopher Jensen

Interest.com Contributing Editor