Ignored in the past, compact SUVs are now some of the hottest-selling vehicles around. Though our Best Buys, the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, and Mazda Tribute don't offer true off-road ability, they do mix ride comfort, cargo capacity, and versatility with all-weather traction. The V6 Tribute/Escape offers more power, comfort, and space than any in its class.

Another car-based mini-SUV, the Subaru Forester, is our Recommended choice. Like the CR-V it doesn't have a low range for serious off-road use, but it blends excellent on-road manners with SUV styling.

After being well down for most of calendar 2001, CR-V sales ended the year essentially unchanged from the previous year's total. We suspect the recovery stemmed in large part from the redesigned '02 models that went on sale in the fall and which remain in short supply, according to informal reports reaching us. Demand for the new CR-V is definitely strong, with year-to-year sales up a sharp 62.2 percent for the first quarter of 2002. Given this situation, which is likely to persist a while, it's no surprise that discounts are virtually nil and that some dealers are tacking on surcharges of as high as $2500.

A rather different sport-utility wagon will soon share showroom space with CR-V. Called Element, it's a production version of the well received "Model X" concept seen a recent auto shows. Element uses the CR-V's basic platform and powertrains, but has a squarish body with center-opening side doors and no fixed vertical pillar, this to provide easy loading/unloading of surfboards, mountain bikes, and other sports gear in what Honda calls a "dorm room/base camp for active young buyers." Unlike CR-V, Element seats four only and has a more spartan interior trimmed in easy-clean materials. Sales begin in the fourth quarter of 2002, with base prices ranging from $16,000-$21,000, according to Honda. Like CR-V, buyers will have a choice of front drive or Honda's "Real Time 4WD" and 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmissions. Horsepower is 160, same as CR-V's. Element will be built at Honda's Ohio complex. First-year sales are pegged at 50,000. We'll have further details soon, so keep checking back with us.