I just went through shopping for the same thing. I also had the Toyota Rav4 on the list, priced comparably to Honda CRV, and the Hyundai Elantra Touring, which is like of like a long hatchback. I looked at the smaller ones too, like the Matrix.

Yesterday I bought the Rav4. The reasons:

Very comfortable to drive. The sitting position is great.
The back area is large--I can put my bike in it without even taking a wheel off. Even though the Honda CRV is comparable in size the way the back seats fold down leave a lot less room for hauling things.
The mileage is decent.
The hatchbacks were too small for my needs.
I got a good price for a two wheel drive four cylinder with no bells and whistles.
It is a toyota, it should last.
Prices are going up on vehicles that have Japan made parts so I decided to go for it now.