I feel as if with the modern D&D player's knowledge around multiclassing and spell optimization, that only having a CR 1/2 companion seems pretty underpowered in comparison to perhaps a CR 1 statblock?
#Anyone think there's a better alternative CR for Tasha's Sidekick rule?
solid granite
Here's a link to this specific rule in question for ease-of-access: http://dnd5e.wikidot.com/sidekicks
late dragon
CR 1/2 can be surprisingly good, if Conjure Animals is anything to go by.
For instance, having a pet wolf that can grant self-advantage and can knock enemies prone for melee advantage is already pretty good, adding the ability to, say, give disdavantage on incoming attacks, is pretty strong.
As for survivability, the sidekicks get additional scaling HP and proficiencies, so they're on par with the scaling of PC's.
They won't have the fancy higher abilities or spells but they're sidekicks, not heroes.
solid granite
I suppose that's fair