2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

Nissan typically didn't take bold design risks with its most popular products, a strategy clearly reflected in the 2023 Nissan Rogue. This SUV exhibited balanced proportions and chiseled styling, with just the right amount of rugged detailing to exude a sense of purpose without veering into the ostentatious. The Rogue was an appealing vehicle, essential given that drivers tend to avoid unattractive cars.

The 2023 Rogue offered a range of trims, including S, SV, SL, and Platinum, with prices spanning from $27,360 to $37,140, plus a $1,295 destination charge. Options included Premium packages for the SV, SL, and Platinum, while the Midnight Edition was exclusive to SV trim.

Examining the test vehicle, which was a Platinum trim with the Premium package, it included features such as AWD, two-tone paint, a frameless rearview mirror, floor mats, a cargo area protector, and expansive lighting accents. These enhancements elevated the cost to an eye-popping $43,100—entering luxury territory and closely rivaling the entry-level Infiniti QX50, a compact crossover from Nissan's luxury brand. However, the Platinum trim offered numerous upscale features, notably the diamond-pattern leather seats which were soft and supple.

By contrast, the 2024 Honda CR-V Sport Hybrid started at a base price of $33,700, marking it as the most affordable electrified edition in the CR-V lineup. Sporting black 18-inch wheels and a blacked-out exterior trim, the Sport Hybrid showcased a sporty vibe, although its interior was relatively basic. The Sport-L Hybrid stepped things up with leather-lined seats and commenced at $36,700, while the Sport Touring Hybrid topped the list at $39,850.

Our test vehicle, a Honda CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid, came with Canyon River Blue paint and no additional accessories. Including the $1,325 destination charge, the total MSRP was $41,175. The styling was conservative, featuring a technical face that resembled an angry robot, which might age gracefully. Despite that, the SUV carried noticeable visual weight over its front wheels. The best angle was arguably the rear quarter, where Volvo-esque taillights and a clean design lent an upscale appearance. Honda wisely refrained from excessive SUV styling cues, and while the 19-inch gloss black wheels added a shine, they were nearly invisible against darker paint.

Inside, the CR-V Sport Touring radiated sophistication, featuring leather seats with orange contrast stitching and numerous quality touches. The doors produced a satisfying sound when shut, and the metal mesh dashboard vents and knurled metallic trim on the knobs reinforced a sense of quality, ensuring the CR-V remained competitive in the compact SUV segment.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue showcased its innovation by ditching the older 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine for a new turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with a unique variable compression design, often dubbed the VC-Turbo. This powertrain, featuring variable compression ratios and turbocharging, aimed to balance performance and fuel economy. Generating 201 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 225 pound-feet of torque from 2,800 to 4,000 rpm, it paired with a CVT that included paddle shifters. The drivetrain powered the front wheels unless AWD was opted for. Driving modes included Eco, Auto, and Sport, with AWD versions adding Off-Road and Snow modes.

In practice, the VC-Turbo was preferred over the previous four-cylinder, delivering responsiveness in urban and suburban environments. Though the CVT's simulated shifts could feel exaggerated, it generally remained unintrusive. Nevertheless, the powertrain lacked adequate highway passing power and emitted an unusual note and slight vibrations, likely due to its three-cylinder configuration. The EPA estimated combined fuel economy at 31 mpg, though actual tests averaged 28.9 mpg.

The Rogue employed features like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control for enhanced ride quality and cornering. The suspension system, combined with 19-inch wheels, ensured the Rogue was composed over speed bumps. Although it exhibited more body motion on undulating roads and the all-season tires provided modest grip, the handling remained secure.

Conversely, the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid in its Sport, Sport-L, and Sport Touring trims featured a hybrid system. This used a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, with one serving as a propulsion motor and the other as a generator/starter. This complex system enabled the gasoline engine to function as both a direct power source and an onboard generator.

Producing 204 horsepower, the hybrid system powered either the front or all four wheels. According to the EPA, it should return 37 mpg in combined driving. However, tests yielded 32.4 mpg. Despite not capturing the full expected fuel economy, the CR-V Hybrid maintained a compliant, quiet ride with predictable handling and impressive grip. The steering was heavier than expected, but overall, the vehicle was easy to drive and embodied typical Honda fun, despite its limited off-road capability.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue excelled as a family car replacement, offering ease of access, elevated seating, and improved visibility. Inside, the Platinum trim test vehicle featured a triple-zone automatic climate control system and a dual-panel panoramic sunroof. The driver’s seat was eight-way power-adjustable, and the front passenger’s seat was four-way adjustable, both wrapped in premium leather. However, there were no ventilated front seats.

Nissan’s Zero Gravity seat design ensured front seat comfort, though the rear seats were less satisfactory due to their low bottom cushion and lack of leg support. The rear seats did offer climate controls, air conditioning vents, USB charging ports, window shades, and heating capabilities. Cargo space was another strong suit, offering up to 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down, thanks to the Divide-N-Hide feature.

In comparison, the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid offered high functionality. The 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat provided excellent support and the back seats were particularly praised for comfort with ample leg support and adjustable backrests. Storage space was also plentiful, albeit the glove compartment was somewhat small. The rear doors opened wide, simplifying access for child seats. Cargo space varied by trim, with the Sport Touring offering 34.7 cubic feet compared to the Sport and Sport-L’s 36.3 cubic feet. All models reached a maximum of 76.5 cubic feet with the back seats down.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue’s technology featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system complemented by a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display. Features included Bluetooth, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, NissanConnect with a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a navigation system. It also had Alexa Built-in, though the voice recognition system performed poorly, often failing basic commands.

For the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid, the technology package was somewhat reserved with a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment. The larger 9-inch display brought a modest improvement. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless phone charging feature, were reserved for higher trims like the Sport-L and Sport Touring. The Sport Touring also included a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system. However, its voice recognition system felt basic and unsophisticated.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue came with an extensive suite of safety features. Standard were 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safety Shield 360, which included systems like forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims included ProPilot Assist, integrating adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. The Rogue earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, though it faltered in certain crash tests.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid also boasted a comprehensive safety suite through Honda Sensing, which included features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Sport-L and Sport Touring trims added parking sensors. The CR-V Hybrid received a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, with no NHTSA ratings available at the time of writing.