2021 Nissan Rogue vs Honda CR-V

As far as two-row SUVs go, there is quite a bit of competition in the market. Even though it makes things kind of overwhelming for potential buyers, it means that the newest models are going to have excellent value and many advanced components so that they can stand out in a crowd. The Nissan Rogue and Honda CR-V are two practical options that have many advantages. They're relatively affordable, have modern styles, feature spacious cargo areas, and can treat drivers to high-tech systems.

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The Powertrain

The Honda CR-V is the stronger of these two SUVs, and it has two available engines. With the Nissan Rogue, the only engine available is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that can generate 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. This is a pretty solid amount of power, but it doesn't hit the mark that the Honda CR-V has set.

A standard CR-V uses a 1.5-liter engine. This engine is smaller than the one found in the Rogue, but it has a turbocharger. This is a key difference, and it results in the CR-V having 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. There's a hybrid option as well. It uses a 2.0-liter engine and an electric motor, and it has a net horsepower of 212. This makes it an intriguing choice both in terms of efficiency and capability.

With the hybrid powertrain on the CR-V, all-wheel drive is standard. On the rest of the CR-Vs, all-wheel drive is optional. Likewise, the Nissan Rogue has available all-wheel drive. Though people might not need all-wheel drive on a regular basis, it can be helpful in certain situations. Many customers end up getting their SUVs with all-wheel drive for those occasional situations in which they have to deal with difficult conditions.

In the Nissan, there's a continuously variable transmission with manual mode. A driver can use the paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel to choose exactly when to shift. There are Eco and Sport modes on all Rogue trims, and they do exactly as their names would indicate. If a Rogue has all-wheel drive, it would have Snow and Off-Road modes as well.

Honda has given the CR-V a continuously variable transmission, too, and it also has Sport mode. There's an Eco Assist function that can be utilized whenever drivers would like to conserve gas. In addition, the CR-V has an idle-stop feature that turns off the engine, temporarily, whenever it has been stopped for a few seconds.

With a non-hybrid powertrain, the Honda CR-V has an estimated fuel economy of 28 miles per gallon in the city and 34 miles per gallon on the highway. These are pretty good numbers, and if all-wheel drive has been installed, they only decrease slightly. Fuel efficiency is about the same in the Nissan Rogue, which can earn up to 27 miles per gallon in the city and 35 miles per gallon on the highway.

Obviously, the hybrid version of the Honda SUV is going to do much better in this area. It can impress people with an estimated fuel economy of 40 miles per gallon in the city and 38 miles per gallon on the highway.

If anyone is interested in towing, these models can be used to haul small trailers. The Nissan Rogue has a towing capacity of 1,350 pounds, and the Honda CR-V can tow up to 1,500 pounds. This isn't comparable to what larger SUVs can do, but this capability could be useful on occasion.

Both companies provide customers with limited powertrain warranties that are good for five years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. The terms of these warranties are fairly standard for the industry.

Drivability

These SUVs can be pleasant to drive. They're easy to handle, and their open cabins can be appreciated. A few extra features can be found on these models. With both SUVs, many trims have remote engine start so that the cabins can get cooled down or warmed up before passengers get in. They also have available smart entry systems that are very convenient to use. With this type of system, a key fob can stay securely tucked away while a driver simply touches the door handle to lock or unlock it.

In the Honda and Nissan, there is Hill Start Assist. This keeps the SUVs from rolling backwards after they have been stopped on slopes. The program can keep pressure on the brakes as the driver gets ready to hit the gas pedal and get moving again. Another CR-V feature is Active Noise Cancellation, and this can make the ride feel calm and quiet.

In terms of size, the Rogue and CR-V have almost the same dimensions. The Nissan Rogue is 183 inches long. This is less than an inch longer than the CR-V is. The two models are the same height, and the CR-V is about half an inch wider than the Rogue is. They both sit approximately eight inches off the ground, which is pretty average for an SUV.

There are minor differences when it comes to passenger space and cargo capacity. As anyone who has ever packed a vehicle full of passengers and luggage knows, these differences can actually be important. This is especially true if larger items are being transported in the cargo area or if taller adults are riding in the back seat.

In the Nissan Rogue, there is 43.3 inches of leg room in the front seat and 38.5 inches of leg room in the back. The Honda CR-V has less room up front, with 41.3 inches of leg room, but more space in the second row. It has 40.4 inches of rear-seat leg room.

Just as it has a bit more space for passengers than the Rogue does, the CR-V has the greater cargo capacity by a small margin. When all the rear seats have been folded down, it has a maximum cargo capacity of 75.8 cubic feet. With the rear seats up, the cargo hold has a volume of 39.2 cubic feet. For the Nissan Rogue, those numbers drop to 74.1 and 36.5 cubic feet, respectively.

One important thing to note is that the hybrid CR-V has less interior space because it has to accommodate a battery and an electric motor. It has 33.2 cubic feet of cargo volume when the rear seat are up and 68.7 cubic feet when the rear seats are down.

It's a good bet that modern consumers are looking for vehicle with high-tech features. So many people rely on their smartphones everyday, and fortunately, these two SUVs can make it simple to make calls, check messages, play music, and do even more from the road.

In the Nissan Rogue, the first two trims have eight-inch touchscreens with voice recognition, smartphone connectivity, SiriusXM, and Bluetooth. Most trims have four total USB ports and Wi-Fi capability, and some could have wireless charging and wireless Apple CarPlay. On the more premium models, there could be a Bose premium audio system, nine-inch touchscreen, and Nissan Door to Door Navigation.

The Honda CR-V has a somewhat comparable infotainment package. Its top trim has integrated navigation, a premium audio system, and wireless charging. Almost all of its trims have Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, HD Radio, and seven-inch touchscreens. However, they don't have as many USB charging ports as the Rogue has. Perhaps the most significant detail is that the base model of the CR-V only has a five-inch LCD screen. It does not have smartphone compatibility, though it does have Bluetooth.

Safety

Numerous driver-assist technologies have been made available in the Rogue and CR-V. Both models have comprehensive safety packages that include not only the basics like anti-lock brakes and tire pressure monitoring but also several advanced features.

The Nissan Rogue has a long list of standard components. Every trim has forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection, and these all reduce the chances of hitting another vehicle or pedestrian in the road. The Rogue has lane departure warning and intelligent trace control to assist drivers when they're inadvertently drifting out of their positions. A bonus is that the Rogue comes standard with blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. It also has automatic high beams and a reverse automatic braking system.

On certain Rogue trims, there is intelligent lane intervention so that the vehicle can take a more active role in getting itself into the center of a lane. Select trims have 360-degree camera systems, and some have blind spot intervention, which means that they'll correct steering and apply slight pressure to the brakes to prevent a driver from changing lanes at a dangerous time. Many Rogues have the ability to read traffic signs and remind drivers of important rules, and they have adaptive cruise control.

One other benefit of driving the Rogue is that it has an available head-up display. This display can show key information that may be useful to the driver as it relates to warnings, speed limits, or other topics.

The base model of the Honda CR-V has some similar elements. It comes standard with adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, forward collision warning, and collision mitigation braking. Plus, it has road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, and lane departure warning to keep people where they should be. Unfortunately, the CR-V does not have a head-up display, nor does it have a 360-degree camera.

Which Has the Best Value?

Less than $500 separates the starting prices of the two models. The Nissan Rogue's S trim costs $25,750, and the LX trims of the Honda CR-V is priced at $25,350. This may make it a hard decision, so there's a few things to keep in mind. First, the CR-V has a little more power and size, but the Rogue has the better technology and safety packages. They both have cloth seats and manually adjustable front seats.

The EX trim of the Honda CR-V costs $27,860, the EX-L costs $30,450, and the Touring tops off the list with a cost of $33,650. With the Nissan Rogue, the remaining trims are the SV ($27,440), SL ($32,100), and Platinum ($35,530).

As is evident, the Rogue is more expensive than the CR-V is when comparing the higher trims. This is justified by the fact that the Rogue has more advanced technology and more modern features. In the Rogue Platinum, there is tri-zone climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, interior accent lighting, remote-folding rear seats, a memory system for the driver's seat and side mirrors, and quilted semi-aniline leather upholstery. Heating elements can be found in the front seats, rear seats, and steering wheel. This list is much longer than the one associated with the Honda CR-V. It has some of those elements, but it just doesn't match up.

Another important point is that the hybrid powertrain on the CR-V costs extra. Paying a few thousand dollars extra may be worth it for some buyers, but not for others.

Which is Better?

As they decide which SUV would be best, potential customers have to answer several key questions.

Do they value efficiency? If so, then the hybrid CR-V would be the most attractive. Do they want the most powerful powertrain available? Again, the CR-V wins in this matchup. Is it important to have the latest technology to stay safe and entertained? The Nissan Rogue definitely has the advantage here.

Overall, these models have a lot of benefits. They have sizable cabins, solid powertrains, and many convenient amenities. However, the Nissan Rogue is the fancier of the two models when it comes to technology. On the other hand, the Honda CR-V has more power and greater interior space.