OP here. I have been researching model data online, and basically narrowed it down to SUbaru and Honda, due to mileage ratings and safety ratings. Last Friday I test drove a Subaru Outback, Subaru Forester, and Honda CR-V. All were 2020 models.
The Outback drove nice, but was more like a car, lower to the ground, and entry / exit were lower than our late CR-V. The Forester was much better, from an entry / exit standpoint, and much more like our late CR-V, and I actually liked the way the CVT behaved in both Subarus. Upshifts and downshifts were very similar to conventional automatic transmissions. From the two, the Forester would be my choice.
The CR-V was a 2WD LX model with the 2.4L, like ours had, but ours had been an AWD model. They didn't have an AWD version in stock, The drive experience was very similar, but the CVT felt softer, almost "mushier" than the CVTs in the Subarus. Also, the LX doesn't have a lot of options that even basic Foresters have. For that, I would need to move to an EX model, with a significant cost increase, and the only engine available right now for the EX with or without AWD is the 1.5L Turbo, which has plenty of discussion regarding fuel dilution of oil. I'm afraid that we would suffer from that because most of the time, my wife doesn't left vehicles warm up completely on a cold start before driving away.
So, right now, it looks like I'm looking for good deal on a 2019 / 2020 Subaru Forester.