The 2018 Honda CR-V and 2018 Nissan Rogue are two of the best-selling vehicles in the compact SUV segment right now in Canada, and in the industry as a whole. As of August 31st, The CR-V leads the way with almost 38,000 units sold while the Rogue sits in fourth place with 28,906 units sold so far this year.
2018 Nissan Rogue
2018 Honda CR-V
The Rogue was refreshed in 2017 but ultimately the model dates back to 2014. The CR-V was completely redesigned in 2017. Both compact sport utility vehicles are known more for their comfort and for their interior space than anything else, and both sit near the top of their class in terms of versatility.
Which is more enjoyable to drive?
Let’s get one thing out of the way right now. These two compact SUVs focus more on comfort than performance. If you want tight steering and a dynamic drive, you’ll be better of checking out the Mazda CX-5, Volkswagen Tiguan or Kia Sportage. The Honda CR-V and Nissan Rogue, however, are two of the most comfortable and quiet compact SUVs you can buy right now.
That said, the Honda CR-V has a slight edge in that department. It’s a bit quieter, and you feel a little more isolated from the outside world behind the wheel of the CR-V. The Rogue is one of the most refined models in its class when it comes to how it drives by any means, just not as much as the CR-V. That said, it’s interior is slightly more upscale.
2018 Nissan Rogue
2018 Honda CR-V
That said, some may feel it’s more balanced than the CR-V. The Rogue is slightly sportier than the CR-V in its handling and feels slightly more connected. In terms of power, however, its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivers 170 horsepower, 20 less than the CR-V’s turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder. You certainly feel the difference on the road with the CR-V being quicker to react, accelerate, and pass.
Both have CVT automatic gearboxes, but the CR-Vs is more enjoyable, less elastic and quieter.
Answer: 2018 Honda CR-V
Which is more spacious?
Most 2018 Honda CR-V versions get 1,110 liters of cargo space compared to 1,112 liters for the Rogue. Inside, both feature about the same interior space for both front and rear seat passengers. If you lower the rear seats, the CR-V’s cargo area can hold 2,146 while the Rogue offers 1,982.
The Rogue and CR-V are two very spacious compact sport utility vehicles, but the CR-V has the advantage here again inside. Granted, the reality is that both are so close in this regard that it will come down to individual buyer needs. One thing is for certain, if you need space above anything else either one of these two compact SUVs will do.
Answer: 2018 Honda CR-V
Which is more efficient?
Both the 2018 Honda CR-V and the 2018 Nissan Rogue are very close so far. The CR-V has won in space and driving enjoyment, but by the slightest of margins. Things aren’t as close when it comes to efficiency.
2018 Nissan Rogue
2018 Honda CR-V
The 2018 CR-V’s turbocharged engine has more power by a wide margin and is also more fuel-efficient in the city with an average of 8.7 liters per 100 kilometers with AWD. The AWD Rogue averages 9.7 liters per 100 kilometers. On the highway, however, both SUVs are about the same. In any case, both are among the most efficient in their segment.
Answer: 2018 Honda CR-V
Which offers the best value?
The 2018 Nissan Rogue’s base model is about $1,000 less than the entry-level Honda CR-V. Add all-wheel drive to both models, however, and both will cost you a little over $30,000.
The CR-V has more advanced driver assistance systems in its entry- and mid-level AWD models. The Rogue’s ProPilot safety system is more advanced than Honda’s Honda Sensing, but you have to opt for the Platinum version which starts at nearly $40,000 to get it.
In terms of equipment and features, both compact SUVs offer basically the same thing at the same price point in their lineups. As a whole the Rogue is more affordable with FWD, but the top-of-the-line model is more expensive.
Answer: 2018 Honda CR-V
Which one would we recommend?
This is far from an easy question despite the fact that the 2018 Honda CR-V won every category in this comparison. In the end, you can’t go wrong with the 2018 Nissan Rogue, but we still would recommend the CR-V. It’s slightly better in every aspect, and that’s because it’s a younger model. When the Rogue is redesigned it will likely close the gap.
2018 Honda CR-V Images
2018 Nissan Rogue Images
What about the Mazda CX5?
The CX-5 is “sportier” than the CR-V and Rogue. It has more connected, precise steering and even if it’s 2.5-liter engine has less power than the CR-V, it feels faster. It’s also quite a bit more powerful than the Rogue. It’s not as spacious in the trunk as the Rogue or CR-V, however. It not as comfortable either. That said, it’s not a bad option at all.
What about the new 2019 Subaru Forester. Between the Honda & the Rogue, which has the better infotainment system. This is becoming a very important part of the purchase process now for any vehicle.
We will be driving the 2019 Forester next week so stay tuned.
As for the infotainment system, there are no glaring annoyances in either system given that Honda came to its senses and added a physical knob to adjust the volume. That said, the CR-V’s system is almost entirely a touch system while the Rogue has more physical buttons to get you to the menu you want faster. The screen isn’t as big in the Rogue, the graphics aren’t as nice, and you can tell the whole layout is older than the CR-V’s.
But again, neither system is overly difficult.
What about the Nissan Qashqai?
The Qashqai is actually a bit smaller than the CR-V and Rogue. It’s also more affordable. It’s in a different segment called urban or subcompact SUVs vs compact SUVs like the two in this article. It’s direct competitor at Honda would be the Honda HR-V. All that being said, it’s a very good vehicle in its class, and we would have no issues recommending it.
They both use a CVT, that’s a deal breaker for me!
If my only choices were the CRV and the Rogue, I would go with the Rogue. Why? I have some misgivings about the durability of turbo-charged engines vs naturally aspirated engines. On paper they look the same, but I feel that larger naturally aspirated engines will outlast turbo-charged engines every time.
[…] are a ton of options in this segment. If space is your priority, then the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester and Volkswagen Tiguan are among the most versatile […]