1. Introduction
2. The Close AGN Reference Survey
2.1. Survey Strategy and Main Aims
2.2. The Unobscured AGN Parent Sample for CARS
2.3. The CARS AGN Sample and Data Release 1
3. Optical IFU Observation and Data Reduction
4. Data Analysis
4.1. AGN-host Deblending
4.2. Host Galaxy Properties
4.3. AGN Characteristics
5. Results and Discussion
5.1. The ENLR Size–Luminosity Relation
5.2. BH Mass as a More Fundamental Driver for the ENLR Size
5.3. ENLR Sizes of Changing-look AGN
5.4. Is the ENLR Size an AGN Episode Lifetime Indicator?
6. Conclusion