A large part of why I'm fixing the AWD 2000 CRV is its very conveniently rear hatch mounted full sized spare tire, like its twin the Gen 1 Land Rover Freelander. I made a backup camera mount that the spare tire slides onto, simplifying putting it on. A yearly 5 tire rotation requires jacking each wheel only once, spare to right rear, RR moves to RF, RF moves to LR, LR moves to LF, LF becomes the spare. While the wheel is off I check the brakes and spray LPS-3 rust inhibitor underneath.
I drive over 100 miles for winter holidays and tax filing, too often in New England snowy or icy weather. That exceeds the distance rating for a donut spare and I think one could make the car swerve when braking on slippery pavement. I learned not to have good winter tires on only the front of a FWD car in winter when I went all around a cloverleaf loop almost sideways.
What do you do about the lack of a decent spare on new cars? I've been looking at new ones in case I can't buy or make parts to fix the CRV. It isn't always evident if the tire storage area is big enough or can be modified to take a full sized tire. My last flat tire was on the day before the 2025 Thanksgiving trip.