The 2024 Honda CR-V and 2024 Nissan Rogue offer the type of compact-crossover utility that’s extremely popular. Yet, neither has succeeded in toppling the reigning class leader, the Toyota RAV4. Both have received recent makeovers—so which one stands a better chance of dethroning that sales champion?
Honda’s latest CR-V has enhanced its fuel efficiency while elevating passenger comfort and safety features. A more user-friendly entertainment system? All part of a very enticing deal.
The Nissan Rogue offers similar benefits, with exceptional crash-test performance and a cozy interior, although it lacks plug-in or hybrid options. It focuses on offering great value and a bolder design.
Which vehicle receives the higher TCC Rating? It ultimately comes down to superior performance in a couple of areas, including, surprisingly, performance. Here’s a breakdown of how they stack up.
Nissan Rogue or Honda CR-V: Price and Editions Summary
Nissan Rogue is priced from around $30,000
For the CR-V, prices begin at $31,000; while the Sport Touring trim surpasses $40,000
CR-V Sport (hybrid) has a starting price close to $35,000
Top choices: Nissan Rogue SV, CR-V Sport (hybrid)
How much does a Nissan Rogue cost? Which model is worth buying?
The newest Rogue comes in under $30,000 and comes equipped with many standard features that offer excellent value. The Rogue S priced at $29,685 features LED headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, manual cloth seats, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Consider adding $1,500 for all-wheel drive.
We recommend upgrading to the $31,375 Rogue SV, which adds a power driver seat, adaptive cruise control, and larger wheels. For an extra $2,660, you can get a package with a panoramic sunroof and heated front seats. If you go all the way, $42,000 gets you a Rogue Platinum with a head-up display, nappa leather, 20-inch alloy wheels, and Bose audio, but it also represents the price of a Volvo XC60, for instance.
How much is a Honda CR-V? Which Honda CR-V is the perfect choice?
The base Honda CR-V LX is priced around $31,000 and comes with a smaller 7.0-inch touchscreen compared to the Rogue. It offers digital gauges, LED headlights, and keyless start.
Opt for the $34,645 Honda CR-V Sport, which includes a standard hybrid powertrain that pays off in fuel savings within three years. It features black 18-inch wheels, blacked-out trim, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, along with blind-spot monitors, a power driver seat, heated front seats, and a sunroof.
Before spending $41,000 on the CR-V Sport Touring, think about what matters most. While all-wheel drive, leather interior, 19-inch wheels, and Bose audio are appealing, these vehicles perform best when they are paid off over five years.
Both models come with an average 3-year/36,000-mile warranty.
Advantage: Nissan Rogue for those on a budget, CR-V Sport Hybrid for those willing to spend a bit more.
2024 Honda CR-V fuel-cell vehicle, underhood
CR-V or Rogue: Performance and Specifications Comparison
The Rogue generates 201 hp from a turbo-3 engine
However, the Rogue’s CVT diminishes the driving experience
The CR-V is equipped with a 1.5-liter turbo-4 engine producing 190 hp
Honda CR-V Sport hybrids reach a peak performance of 204 hp
How is the driving experience in the Honda CR-V?
It offers adequate acceleration for everyday driving scenarios, but it’s the CR-V’s smooth and composed ride that receives praise. Base CR-V models are powered by a 1.5-liter turbo-4 with 190 hp, mated to a CVT that provides decent acceleration but also generates some powertrain noise. While not Honda’s most powerful engine, it still outshines certain alternatives.
How fast is the Honda CR-V?
The CVT in the Honda quickly adjusts ratios to deliver a stronger surge when needed, yet many prefer the 204-hp CR-V hybrid. This variant features a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine connected to two electric motors and a 1.4-kwh battery pack. The seamless setup offers superior initial acceleration compared to the turbo-4 and reaches 60 mph faster. The CVT’s simulated gear shifts feel more natural and quieter, unless you engage Sport mode, which adds more simulated drivetrain noise.
Both CR-V models boast soft yet well-controlled ride behaviors and responsive steering. Honda seems to have prioritized comfort and balance over sportiness, and for that, they deserve recognition. The CR-V maintains composure at high speeds, with steering that keeps the vehicle centered, providing a feeling of cohesion in all its systems that ensures driver comfort from the start.
Does the Honda CR-V have AWD?
Honda offers all-wheel drive as an option on every CR-V model.
How about the driving experience in the Nissan Rogue?
The Rogue emphasizes poise as its primary virtue, but it falls behind both Honda models in terms of speed.
Is AWD available in the Nissan Rogue?
Nissan offers all-wheel drive for an additional $1,500 on any Rogue, with front-wheel drive as the base specification.
How fast is the Nissan Rogue?
Not particularly fast. According to the specifications, it is rated at 201 hp from its 1.5-liter turbo-3 engine.however, Nissan burdens it with a CVT that displays tardy responses to throttle inputs. The turbo in the Rogue also exhibits a delayed spool-up time before kicking in power. Maneuvers such as passing and merging turn into more of a challenge rather than a simple task, especially when the vehicle carries more than one occupant.
Despite its shortcomings in the powertrain department, the Rogue impresses us with its softly-tuned suspension. Whether equipped with the standard 17-inch wheels or the larger 19-inch ones, it offers a comfortable ride with excellent damping—eschewing any inclination towards a sporty stance. While lacking the weight and feedback levels of Honda’s steering, the sluggish acceleration of the Rogue negates any necessity for sharper responses.
Advantage: The CR-V, notably the Sport hybrid.
Fuel efficiency comparison between Honda CR-V and Nissan Rogue
The front-wheel-drive CR-V turbo-4 achieves an EPA-rated 30 mpg combined
Front-wheel-drive CR-V Sport hybrids reach up to 40 mpg combined
The highest-rated Rogue in the lineup tops out at 33 mpg combined
Is the Honda CR-V fuel-efficient?
When equipped with a hybrid powertrain, it certainly is. According to the EPA, the front-wheel-drive CR-V Sport achieves a remarkable 43 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 40 mpg combined. These figures drop slightly with all-wheel drive, averaging 40 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway, and 37 mpg combined. As for the turbo-4 engine, the CR-V holds an EPA rating of 28 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway, and 30 mpg combined, which increases to 29 mpg combined with the turbo-4 and all-wheel drive.
Is the Nissan Rogue fuel-efficient?
Optimum fuel efficiency is observed in the base trim of the Rogue with front-wheel drive. EPA ratings stand at 30 mpg in the city, 37 mpg on the highway, and 33 mpg combined. When equipped with all-wheel drive, the base models achieve 28 mpg in the city, 35 mpg on the highway, and 31 mpg combined.
The Rogue SL and Platinum, equipped with more features and larger wheels, achieve 29 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 32 mpg combined with front-wheel drive, while showing figures of 26 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and 29 mpg combined with all-wheel drive.
Advantage: Honda CR-V.
Size and dimensions comparison between Nissan Rogue and Honda CR-V
On paper, the Rogue and CR-V appear similar in size
Honda’s seating offers superior comfort levels
The CR-V holds an advantage in rear legroom space
Both vehicles benefit from tall, wide doors for passenger convenience
How spacious is the Honda CR-V?
Honda skillfully maximizes passenger space within the CR-V. While its interior dimensions may not vastly differ from those of the Rogue, its layout creates an illusion of greater spaciousness and inviting ambiance.
The CR-V boasts deeply contoured and well-bolstered front seats, providing exceptional comfort levels. Although some petite drivers may find them too deep, the adjustable seating configurations along with the steering wheel cater to most individuals’ preferences. Abundant storage spaces for smartphones and cups, combined with mesh-metallic accents and a sizable touchscreen, grant the CR-V an elegant and high-quality appearance.
The second-row seating in the CR-V shines with approximately 41 inches of legroom and tall doors allowing easy entry for even 6-foot-tall passengers without head clearance issues. Compared to other compact crossovers, the CR-V accommodates a third passenger more comfortably, partly due to its almost mid-size classification and Honda’s utilization of broader bench seats and slimmer doors for enhanced space efficiency.
Folding down the CR-V’s rear seats expands cargo storage from 39.3 cubic feet to a capacious 76.5 cubic feet. Although not completely flat, this cargo area surpasses that of its main competitors.
How roomy is the Nissan Rogue?
Nissan has efficiently utilized the available space within the Rogue’s structure, accommodating four adults and their belongings with ease.
Occupants in the front enjoy comfortable seating options, ranging from cloth upholstery to premium semi-aniline leather, depending on the trim level. Except for the base Rogue S, driver seats feature power adjustments, with additional passenger power adjustments available on higher trims. Though offering substantial padding, Nissan’s seats lack the bolstering found in Honda’s seats, but they still prove comfortable for long journeys.
In the back, the Rogue provides 38.5 inches of legroom, slightly less than the CR-V. Nonetheless, generous door openings facilitate effortless access to the rear compartment, while adequate headroom caters well to taller individuals.
Expanding the cargo area from nearly 40 cubic feet to 74 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down, Nissan integrates various small-item storage spaces within the Rogue’s deep console and door pockets. The interior design undergoes a more pronounced transformation from base to top trims compared to the Honda, which initially incorporates higher-grade materials.
Advantage: Honda CR-V.
The safety comparison between CR-V and Rogue
Provided with a Top Safety Pick+ title, the CR-V stands out for its safety measures.
While the NHTSA has not yet evaluated the CR-V, it’s noteworthy that the Rogue has been awarded a solid five-star rating overall by the NHTSA.
Both vehicles are equipped with standard automatic emergency braking systems.
How secure is the Nissan Rogue?
The Nissan Rogue is deemed quite safe, yet there are some concerns about specific test results. Despite receiving an overall five-star rating from the NHTSA, its front-impact ratings are at four stars; however, its stellar side-impact results contribute to its rounded-up score. While the IIHS previously honored the Rogue with a Top Safety Pick+ designation, it lost the title due to more stringent tests this year. Every Rogue model includes blind-spot monitors, automatic high beams, and automatic emergency braking. Additionally, Nissan offers ProPilot, their hands-free driver assistance system which, although effective, has been criticized for being overly attentive with its warning alerts.
How secure is the Honda CR-V?
Earning the IIHS’s Top Safety Pick+ award thanks to its strong crash test results and LED headlights, the Honda CR-V is perceived as secure. However, the NHTSA has not yet finalized its evaluation. The CR-V comes with automatic emergency braking and active lane control as standard features, even in its base version. Nevertheless, blind-spot monitors are optional on the LX trim. Honda offers an optional surround-view camera system, yet its driver-assistance features are less ambitious and refined than those in the Rogue concerning lane centering.
Winner: A tie, for the time being.
Nissan Rogue vs. Honda CR-V aesthetically
The Rogue boasts a more robust appearance and intricate details.
While the CR-V exhibits a rear design reminiscent of other models, its interior is notably improved.
The decision: luxurious or conventional?
Is the Nissan Rogue visually appealing?
Featuring tough design elements and an optional two-tone roof, the Rogue maintains visual interest despite its typical crossover silhouette. The front fascia may appear busy, especially with its V-shaped grille and split LED headlights. However, it becomes more refined towards the rear, with straight shoulder lines and a wedged profile akin to BMW’s stance. Moreover, the rugged accents on past Nissan SUVs are highlighted by the angled rear pillar.
Inside, the Rogue boasts a gently curved dashboard housing a touchscreen and upholstered in modest black materials in its base models. The layout of the dash and controls, while not groundbreaking, gains sophistication in higher trims with options like quilted leather and brighter beige accents. Premium trims are equipped with dual 12.3-inch digital displays for gauges and infotainment controls.
Is the Honda CR-V visually appealing?
Mixing a traditional SUV rear with a sleek front design featuring slim LED headlights and a mesh grille, the CR-V presents a richer and more polished appearance than the Rogue. Sport hybrid variants enhance the CR-V’s look with black accents on the wheels and around the body. However, the rear could be more distinctive, as the appealing vertical taillights are the only standout element on an otherwise generic premium-inspired design. While effective, the CR-V lacks a unique flair.
Internally, the CR-V impresses with tasteful metallic trim accents and a band of mesh across the dashboard hiding joystick-controlled vents. The infotainment screen grows with higher-end models, maxing out at 9.0 inches, without overpowering the subtle atmosphere. Additionally, the carbon fiber-inspired finish on plastic trim adds a touch of sophistication.
Winner: A draw.
Which is the superior choice: Honda CR-V or Nissan Rogue?
Scoring a TCC rating of 7.0 out of 10, the latest Honda CR-V impresses with its smooth hybrid system and tranquil driving experience. Its infotainment and safety technologies are class-leading or better. In comparison, the Nissan Rogue scores 6.3 out of 10, excelling in features but trailing in fuel efficiency and performance figures. Despite a sluggish CVT, the Rogue offers great value.
Winner: Honda CR-V, particularly in Sport hybrid trim.
Image Source: Jonathan Weiss / Shutterstock