2023 Honda CR-V vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

The 2023 Honda CR-V, now in its sixth generation, showcased a more angular and refined design compared to its predecessor. Equipped with a blunt nose, a long hood, and a stretched wheelbase, the new design exuded a cleaner, slightly more aggressive demeanor. While it may have lacked some of the personality found in the previous generation, the more conservative styling promised to age gracefully.

Both the CR-V EX and CR-V EX-L rode on 18-inch alloy wheels in a multi-spoke design and sported dark-tinted rear privacy glass, giving them an identical exterior appearance. Inside, the EX-L distinguished itself with leather-wrapped seats, a steering wheel, and a shift knob, whereas the EX featured standard cloth upholstery. Both trims shared a dashboard design inspired by the latest Civic, featuring metal mesh trim that cleverly integrated the air vents.

The interior of the CR-V emanated quality and simplicity, with digital instrumentation in both trims. The EX-L upgraded to a larger touchscreen infotainment system with additional features, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a power rear liftgate. It also included front and rear parking sensors.

Pricing for the 2023 Honda CR-V started at $31,110 for the front-wheel-drive (FWD) EX and climbed to $35,260 for the all-wheel-drive (AWD) EX-L, factoring in a $1,245 destination charge. Our test EX-L AWD vehicle featured Radiant Red Metallic paint over Gray leather seats, pushing the MSRP to $36,900.

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Rogue featured a design strategy that prioritized conservative styling without compromising on appealing proportions. The vehicle was handsomely chiseled with just the right amount of SUV detailing to convey a rugged demeanor, making it an attractive option in its segment.

The Rogue lineup comprised S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with prices ranging from $27,360 to $37,140, plus a $1,295 destination fee. The SV, SL, and Platinum trims offered optional Premium packages, with the new Midnight Edition package exclusive to the SV.

Our test Nissan Rogue arrived in Platinum trim with the Premium option package. It also featured AWD, two-tone paint, a frameless rearview mirror, floor mats, a cargo area protector, interior accent lighting, exterior ground lighting, illuminated kick plates, and a first-aid kit, bringing the MSRP to a lofty $43,100.

This decked-out Platinum Rogue bordered on entry-luxury territory, even overlapping in price with the base version of the Infiniti QX50, Nissan's luxury compact crossover. However, the Platinum trim offered numerous upscale upgrades, most notably the plush, diamond-pattern leather seats. Many surfaces were soft to the touch, and the control materials met the quality standards of the compact SUV segment.

The 2023 Honda CR-V EX and EX-L featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, a carryover from the previous generation. It produced 190 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 179 pound-feet of torque between 1,700 and 5,000 rpm, offering ample power for a compact SUV.

The CR-V’s turbo-four engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), powering either the front wheels or all four wheels. However, the CVT’s performance under hard acceleration, such as merging onto highways or climbing steep grades, left much to be desired. The CVT produced a noticeable droning noise, detracting from the otherwise enjoyable driving experience.

Despite the CVT’s faults, the 2023 CR-V excelled in other aspects of performance. Honda fine-tuned the suspension, steering, and brakes to near perfection, providing a satisfying blend of ride comfort and dynamic handling. The CR-V demonstrated excellent body control, suppressing impact harshness while communicating enough road information to keep the driver engaged. The brakes, steering, and suspension all contributed to a well-rounded driving experience.

In terms of fuel efficiency, the EPA estimated our test vehicle at 29 mpg in combined driving, and we achieved an average of 29.1 mpg on a mountainous Southern California evaluation route.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue underwent significant powertrain changes for the 2022 model year, ditching the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine for a new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder with Nissan's exclusive variable compression design (VC-Turbo engine). The new engine generated 201 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 225 pound-feet of torque from 2,800 to 4,000 rpm. The CVT included paddle shifters, and the engine powered the front wheels or optionally all four wheels.

While the plateau of peak torque output was short, the Rogue felt responsive in urban and suburban driving conditions. The CVT seldom drew negative attention, although its simulated gear changes could feel dramatic. On the downside, highway passing power was lacking. The three-cylinder engine emitted an unusual note and some vibrations through the accelerator pedal, potentially off-putting to some drivers.

The EPA rated our test vehicle at 31 mpg in combined driving, but it fell short with an actual average of 28.9 mpg on our evaluation route.

The Rogue’s driving dynamics benefitted from brake-induced ride quality and cornering enhancements like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control. It featured a strut-type front and multi-link rear suspension, automatic brake hold, hill start assist, and 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 235/55 tires.

Despite some body motion on undulating roads and tire noise, the Rogue delivered a decent balance of ride comfort and body control. The steering, though lifeless, allowed for secure and consistent handling.

The 2023 Honda CR-V boasted the roomiest interior ever for this model, but the low driving position from the standard 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat made it feel more car-like. Outward visibility was excellent, and the redesigned seats provided notable comfort. Heated front seats came standard, but ventilated front or heated rear seats were unavailable.

In the back, the CR-V excelled with ample legroom and thigh support, feeling more like a midsize SUV. Air conditioning vents catered to rear passengers, but a USB charging port at the rear remained an optional accessory.

Storage within the CR-V was abundant, with a large center console bin, door panel storage bins, small trays, and a tray ahead of the shifter. However, many storage areas were lined with hard plastic, potentially resulting in noise from stored items.

The CR-V EX-L’s power liftgate revealed 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the floor panel set to its lowest position. Additional storage trays on either side of the cargo area and grocery bag hooks added convenience. Folding down the rear seats expanded cargo capacity to 76.5 cubic feet.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue served as a practical replacement for the traditional family car, offering a higher driving position, available AWD, and a spacious cargo area. It comfortably accommodated four, with room for a fifth person if needed.

Our Rogue Platinum test vehicle came equipped with numerous premium features, including a triple-zone automatic climate control system, a dual-panel panoramic sunroof, and power-adjustable front seats wrapped in semi-aniline leather with diamond-stitched inserts. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were included, though ventilated front seats were not offered.

Front seat comfort was a highlight, thanks to Nissan’s Zero Gravity seat design, though height adjustment for the front passenger seat was lacking. Outward visibility was assisted by large side mirrors and thin windshield pillars. However, the ambient lighting control button placement inside the center armrest storage bin lacked practicality.

Rear doors opened nearly 90 degrees, facilitating easy access, with rear climate controls, USB charging ports, side window shades, and heated outboard seats enhancing passenger comfort. Rear seats provided ample space but were less comfortable due to low mounting and diamond-stitched pleats.

Storage throughout the Rogue was plentiful but largely unlined, which could lead to noise from stored items.

The Rogue’s hands-free power liftgate opened to 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space. The Divide-N-Hide feature allowed for six different cargo area configurations, and remote levers folded the rear seats down for a total of 74.1 cubic feet of space. Underfloor storage sections added further versatility.

Every 2023 Honda CR-V featured a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel, complemented by the SUV’s straightforward layout and controls. The EX trim paired this with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that included large volume and tuning knobs, main function buttons, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

The CR-V EX-L upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, wireless charging, and an eight-speaker sound system. However, the top-of-the-line CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid was required for a Bose premium audio system, HondaLink subscription services, and an integrated navigation system.

Despite the short list of tech features in the EX-L, the intuitive infotainment system and quality audio performance sufficed for most users. The larger display in the EX-L missed the tuning knob from the EX, replacing it with less user-friendly tuning buttons. Overall, the CR-V's technology brought it on par with competitors but didn’t surpass them.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue retained an older version of its infotainment system, using an 8-inch standard or 9-inch optional touchscreen with volume and tuning knobs and accessible main menu buttons. Our test vehicle featured the 9-inch display, along with Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, NissanConnect services with Wi-Fi hotspot, and a navigation system accessible via a smartphone app. Additional features included a wireless charging pad and a Bose premium audio system. New for 2023, Alexa Built-in was standard in the Rogue Platinum, though functionality issues arose during testing.

Our test vehicle also boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display (HUD). Both performed well, though rainy conditions during testing limited the opportunity to assess the HUD with polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Honda CR-V saw significant improvements in its driver assist systems under the Honda Sensing umbrella. Standard features included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. New additions comprised a seatbelt reminder, rear-seat reminder, driver monitoring system, and traffic sign recognition.

Enhanced camera and radar units contributed to smoother operation, enabling Honda to add the Traffic Jam Assist system for better driving support in low-speed situations. While the new tech generally met expectations, the lane-centering assist occasionally struggled with exit ramps or lane changes, causing some driver irritation.

Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure and advanced airbag designs aimed to improve collision safety, though the 2023 CR-V awaited crash test ratings from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

In contrast, the 2023 Nissan Rogue came standard with 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder, and Safety Shield 360, which included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights.

Rogues with NissanConnect services offered a complimentary subscription to automatic collision notification, emergency assistance calling, and safe teen driver technology. Additional features included a surround-view camera, active blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and a driver monitoring system. Higher trims could also benefit from ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance.

During testing, ProPilot Assist performed well, maintaining accuracy and minimizing driver irritation. However, its braking action with ProPilot Assist active sometimes felt overly abrupt.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for 2022, though it scored Marginal and Acceptable in updated small overlap and side-impact tests, respectively. The NHTSA awarded the Rogue a five-star overall rating, with four stars for driver and front passenger protection in frontal collisions.