2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2021 Nissan Rogue had a stylish and modern appearance, more closely resembling an SUV than a conventional car. It featured dark gray plastic cladding covering the vehicle's lower perimeter and bold simulated skid plates offering a rugged appeal. The clean LED lighting elements and prominent V-Motion grille increased its contemporary aesthetic. Various trims came with aluminum wheels up to 19 inches in diameter, and optional two-tone paint with a black roof provided a custom look.

Available in four versions—S, SV, SL, and Platinum—the Rogue catered to a wide range of preferences. The Platinum trim had upscale amenities like semi-aniline quilted leather, while the SL trim, which was tested, boasted Almond-colored leather interiors and a panoramic glass sunroof. The SL model demonstrated Nissan's attention to interior quality with abundant soft-touch surfaces and appealing simulated wood trim.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid looked much like its gas-only counterparts. The main differences were the “Hybrid” badges and blue Honda logos. Updated LED fog lights and a redesigned rear bumper also set it apart. Inside, the CR-V Hybrid had distinct trim and unique instrumentation to show battery status and power distribution.

Honda offered the CR-V Hybrid in three trims—EX, EX-L, and Touring—all equipped with standard all-wheel drive. The Touring trim, included in the test, had plush Ivory leather seats contrasting with black upper panels and carpets. However, the fake wood trim detracted from the premium feel. Despite its similarities to the standard CR-V, the Hybrid model’s design catered to those seeking a fuel-efficient SUV without compromising style.

When it came to performance, the 2021 Nissan Rogue needed more power. Its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produced 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, which was adequate for daily driving but fell short for spirited driving or adventurous terrain. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) worked well, with programmed ratios making it feel more like a traditional automatic. The Rogue offered different driving modes, including Sport and Eco, and promised future enhancements with a potential turbocharged engine.

Despite its shortcomings in power, the Rogue delivered an enjoyable driving experience, thanks to its re-engineered architecture comprised of 35% high-strength steel. The suspension system and new steering design substantially improved ride quality and handling.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in performance with its two-motor hybrid technology. Combining a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with an electric motor, it offered a total system output of 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. The CR-V Hybrid's three driving modes—EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive—automatically adapted to driving conditions, optimizing performance and efficiency.

Despite its heavier battery pack, the CR-V Hybrid handled well, with predictable dynamics and impressive acceleration. With 33.7 mpg on a test route, the CR-V Hybrid fell short of its EPA rating of 38 mpg but remained relatively efficient. Its driving character was honed to offer a blend of comfort and enjoyable dynamics, making it a solid performer in the hybrid SUV category.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue aimed for maximum comfort with its Zero Gravity seats designed to mimic the neutral spine position experienced in space. The seats, available in various upholstery options from cloth to premium leather, provided significant comfort across the trim levels. The Rogue's interior was designed for convenience, offering a spacious rear seat, rear air conditioning vents, and ample storage solutions.

Cargo capacity varied with trim levels. The Rogue S and SV trims had 31.6 cubic feet of cargo space, while the SL and Platinum offered up to 36.5 cubic feet with the Divide-N-Hide cargo management system. With the rear seats folded down, the Rogue's cargo volume extended to an impressive 74.1 cubic feet, making it one of the leaders in its class.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid also prioritized passenger comfort with supportive front seats, although the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seat offered exceptional legroom, comparable to the Accord sedan, and featured conveniences like quick-charge USB ports and air conditioning vents.

The CR-V Hybrid's cargo space was slightly compromised by the battery pack, offering 33.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 68.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Even with the reduced capacity, the CR-V Hybrid remained versatile, accommodating full-sized suitcases and optimizing space for maximum utility.

Nissan equipped the 2021 Rogue with a competitive infotainment package. The base S trim came with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like NissanConnect Services, WiFi hotspot, and integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The SL Premium Package and Platinum trim offered a larger 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, a Bose premium audio system, and additional convenience features like a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid’s infotainment system felt outdated despite a modern appearance. It featured a small 7-inch touchscreen without a tuning knob. The system was slow to start, and its voice recognition capabilities were limited. The Touring trim offered wireless smartphone charging, but the placement hindered access to other storage areas. The nine-speaker premium audio system performed well, but HondaLink connected services fell short of competitors' offerings.

Safety was a priority for the 2021 Nissan Rogue. Every Rogue came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included a comprehensive suite of safety technologies like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control was available starting with the SV trim, and the Platinum trim included additional features like rear pre-tensioning seatbelts and an airbag between the front seats. The Rogue's improved architecture and use of high-strength steel aimed to increase crash protection.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid came equipped with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and Road Departure Mitigation. The CR-V Hybrid also had blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Despite its comprehensive suite of safety features, the CR-V lacked some advanced capabilities found in its competitors, such as automatic collision notification and SOS emergency calling. However, it earned high safety ratings, including a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS.