Chess is a fixed game where, as far as anyone knows, victory is only possible if the opponent makes a mistake. There might be a better chance for an opponent's mistake if one plays in a way that the opponent has not expected. In this sort of situation, it is natural for an unpopular (but reasonable) opening to become popular, followed by a period of time when the chess crowd goes on to something else.
I think that the opening migratory process was somewhat explained by this quote:
"... It is not so long ago that a game in which neither party advanced his e-pawn two squares was a rarity. Now such games, at least in the contests of masters, have become the rule.
Many causes have contributed thereto. The other openings are already well known, and to try to introduce winning innovations into them has become a very risky business. ..." - Emanuel Lasker (~1925)
Preparing for a chess game has become a little like a game of rock-paper-scissors-lizard-spock.
httpscolon//wwwperiodyoutubeperiodcom/watch?v=x5Q6-wMx-K8
Three reasons speak for the Caro-Kann:
1) If you are looking for a solid response against 1. e4 which leans towards positional play (which excludes e.g. Sicilian) and still offers winning chances because the pawn structures can't get fully symmetrical like e.g. in the exchange French the Caro-Kann is a natural choice (alternative would be the Ruy Lopez / Spanish but there are lots of gambit lines for White after 1. e4 e5).
2) Some of the main lines score really well. Examples from the main line where black scores better than white in the Lichess Masters database are 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 e6 instead of the more common Nd7. Similar things happen in the Panov with the still quite frequent sideline 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Nf3 Be6.
3) In the various Caro-Kann systems you still have a choice as black if you are unhappy with a variation. In the mainline after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 you can choose between the Bf5, Nd7 and Nf6 systems. In the Panov you can choose between two-knights setups or an early e6. In the advance variation between 3. ... Bf5 or c5 etc..
But the Caro-Kann also has downsides. The two most important ones are
1) The advance system 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 is quite strong and no matter if you play Bf5 or c5 white can choose between very aggressive systems or positional systems (e.g. after Bf5-Shirov attack or Short-system).
2) There are many completely different systems between which white can choose which means you have to learn a lot of theory. White can go for the advance, the mainline, the Panov, the exchange variation, the fantasy system, the two knights variation, and the Steiner attack. Even some of the minor sidelines like the apocalypse attack, f3 in the mainline instead of Nxe4 or the stupid looking but good and trendy 1. e4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d3 have all some venom.
‘It’s all pawns and no hope’ Benny Watts .....
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