Honda CR-V vs Nissan Rogue

 

Honda CR-V vs. Nissan Rogue.

Who Comes Out On Top?

1. What's New for 2023 and 2024?

The 2023 Rogue underwent a redesign in 2021, boasting enhancements like an improved soft-touch interior and a fresh exterior appearance. In 2022, a new

 engine was introduced, elevating its competitiveness within the compact SUV category. Continuing into 2023, the model maintains an extensive array of features 

and cutting-edge technologies.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda CR-V is an entirely new release for this model year, showcasing Honda's commitment to elevating quality standards.

 Noteworthy upgrades include a more robust and user-friendly entertainment system, premium upholstery, and refined fit and finish. The spacious interior, accentuated

 by a low dash, features a variety of soft-touch materials. The honeycomb pattern on vents enhances air diffusion, ensuring effective air conditioning, especially in hot

summers. This pattern extends to the doors and dashboard instruments, concealing scratches or prints.

Car and Driver has awarded the CR-V a perfect score of 10 out of 10, placing it on their prestigious 10Best List and designating it as an Editor's Choice. While not

 positioned as a sporty SUV, the CR-V delivers a driving experience that exudes confidence, as noted by the publication. Kelley Blue Book also recognizes its

 excellence by ranking it as the top choice in the compact SUV class and bestowing upon it the Best Buy Award.


2. What's Standard Comes Standard on the CR-V vs Rogue?

The Nissan Rogue and Honda CR-V share similar standards in entertainment and connectivity. Initially, prospective buyers can anticipate features like Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a touchscreen in both models. To justify its price, the CR-V surpasses with additional standards, incorporating automatic climate controls and push-button start. Enhancing the refined CR-V, a 7-inch digital gauge cluster complements the analog gauges, contributing to an elevated sense of sophistication.

Honda distinguishes its interior by relocating the radio tuning closer to the driver, opting for buttons instead of a knob for a more unique environment. The tactile buttons, seamlessly integrated with the screen, provide a polished appearance. The 6-speaker audio system strategically places equipment in the pillars, doors, and dash, while illuminated USB ports facilitate easy locating in low-light conditions.

In addition to the superior black cloth upholstery in the CR-V, Honda offers an alternative color scheme for EX shoppers. This distinctive gray cloth is paired with black accent panels, creating a stylish duo-tone aesthetic. Both the EX-L and Sport Touring models boast leather upholstery with similar color choices, while Sport models showcase contrast orange stitching for added flair.

3. Which is the More Spacious is the SUV?

When considering a vehicle, maximizing space for our automotive investment is a priority. These two models share a comparable cabin, providing generous room considering their compact SUV classification, distinct from midsize counterparts like the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Notably, the Honda compact crossover holds a significant advantage in one aspect. This year, it boasts an additional three inches of legroom in the second row. The CR-V surpasses competitors such as the Ford Bronco Sport and competes admirably against midsize SUVs like the Hyundai Santa Fe giving you enough room to fit your skis and snowboards while still maintaining room for friends for a trip up to the beautiful New Hampshire White Mountains.

With a nearly 3-inch increase in length, the CR-V now aligns closely with the Rogue in exterior dimensions. As part of the CR-V redesign, a larger cabin enhances visibility for passengers and the driver, allowing for a clearer view of their surroundings.

In a notable development, the CR-V Hybrid's cabin is now identical in size to the standard CR-V this year. Remarkably, with a generous 41 inches of second-row legroom, Honda's hybrid outperforms most hybrid and electric SUVs in the market.

 
 

4. How Comfortable Are These Compact SUVs?

Nissan employs what it refers to as Zero Gravity seats, designed to combat fatigue, while Honda introduces new Body Stabilizing front seats with the same fatigue-fighting objective. The CR-V comes standard with a power driver's chair, available on higher trims for the Rogue.

The 2023 Honda CR-V's front seats feature a more stable inner structure and a specially curved seat cushion. Honda has adjusted the steering wheel angle for enhanced comfort, providing the driver with an elevated SUV seating position and a steering wheel feel akin to that of a comfortable sedan.

In the rear, the CR-V's seats have undergone a redesign, offering an improved recline angle with eight customizable settings, allowing passengers to personalize their seating experience. This adjustment mirrors the comfort found in its larger counterpart, the Honda Passport.

Given its fresh redesign for this model year, the CR-V incorporates more sound-absorbing materials in the roof, pillars, floor, wheel liners, and windows. This innovative design has enabled engineers to discover effective ways to minimize glare and unwanted reflections. In contrast, several reviews highlight the Rogue's ride quality being compromised by insufficient noise insulation. Needless to say a road trip from Keene to the beautiful New Hampshire Coast would be a dream in the new CR-V.


5. Who Has the Better Performance?

As previously mentioned, the 2023 Nissan Rogue underwent an engine upgrade in 2022, featuring a new turbo inline-three powerplant. This 1.5-liter engine delivers a robust 201 horsepower, controlled by a CVT automatic transmission and front-wheel drive.

The latest CR-V models come equipped with a 190-horsepower 1.5-liter turbo engine for the EX and EX-L trims. However, the Sport and Sport Touring models boast a more potent 204-horsepower output, thanks to a hybrid powertrain combined with two electric motors.

Unsurprisingly, the hybrid CR-V claims the superior fuel economy among these three engines, achieving 43 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. Kelley Blue Book recognizes the hybrid CR-V as the Best Hybrid among all hybrid SUVs this year, noting it as the most enjoyable to drive among these compact SUVs.

Enhanced hybrid performance comes with new driving modes, including Sport, Normal, and Sport. The unique ECON mode can be optimized through the new interface with the hybrid's standard navigation. Hill Descent Control is designed to identify steep declines, allowing drivers to select a speed between 2 to 12 mph to maintain control on slippery grades and prevent the vehicle from rolling too quickly.

 
 

6. Safety Features and Driver Aids?

Both compact SUVs have achieved the prestigious Top Safety Pick Plus rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. In the current model year, Honda takes the lead with next-generation airbags, featuring a more extensive and contemporary safety system compared to its rival.

While the two contenders share similar driver aids, such as collision avoidance with autobrake, a lane-keeping system, and a blind-spot system, Honda's driver assistance stands out as particularly advanced in this model year.

For 2023, these systems and more have undergone updates. New features include low-speed braking control, traffic sign recognition, and traffic jam assist. Engineers have enhanced adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, blind spot watch, front sensor camera, forward-facing radar, and the rearview camera for improved accuracy and performance.


7. How to Compare Price and Value Between the Two?

The Nissan pricing structure initiates at a lower point than the Honda CRV's initial price. However, the Nissan Rogue's cost increases without introducing a new engine option. The CRV trim lineup incorporates the hybrid seamlessly into its hierarchy, allowing for a transition from the regular powertrain in the EX and EX-L trims to the CRV Sport hybrid without a substantial premium.

Rogue trim options encompass the S, SV, SL, SL Premium, and Platinum. The highest-tier trim carries a price tag of approximately $43,000, as indicated by Kelley Blue Book, owing to the added expense of all-wheel drive.

Featuring a power-adjustable driver's chair as a standard inclusion across all trims, the CRV trim choices include the EX, EX-L, Sport (hybrid), and Sport Touring. The CRV Sport Touring, which incorporates top-tier amenities and the hybrid powertrain, starts at $38,600 with standard all-wheel drive.

Renowned for retaining higher resale values, CRVs also boast low hybrid ownership costs due to their exceptional fuel efficiency. Additionally, Hondas come with two years of complimentary maintenance, enhancing their overall value proposition.


Conclusion

While the 2023 Nissan Rogue is a good SUV, the 2023/2024 Honda CR-V is a better one. It hits all the benchmarks, provides incredible 2nd-row legroom, and the best cargo space. Come see for yourself at Honda of Keene!