Compact crossovers are among the most desired vehicles nowadays. If you’re looking for one of them, you surely noticed the Nissan Rogue and the Honda CR-V, two critically acclaimed and affordable compact crossover SUVs. Let’s compare them and see which one will suit you better.
Nissan Rogue
- Starting MSRP: $23,290
- Pros: Family package that adds 3rd-row seating, more cargo volume with 2nd-row upright, slightly better fuel economy with AWD, slightly lower price
The first and only serious difference between the Nissan Rogue and the Honda CR-V is that the former has an option for a 3rd-row seating and the latter hasn’t. Don’t underestimate the necessity of a 3rd row even if it suitable only for teenagers. This benefit of the Nissan Rogue may be gone for the next model year as Honda reportedly will provide a similar feature in the 2017 CR-V, but for now, it is a point for Nissan. Other pros of the Nissan Rogue are not substantial – it has a little bit more cargo space with 2nd-row upright (39.3 cu. ft. vs 37.2 cu. ft.) a slightly better fuel economy on the highway with AWD (32 MPG vs 31 MPG), and a slightly lower price tag for the basic version.
Honda CR-V
- Starting MSRP: $23,745
- Pros: Better engine, slightly more cargo volume with 2nd-row folded down, more trims available
The Honda CR-V, in turn, has better performance (185 hp vs 170 hp), slightly more cargo volume with 2nd-row folded down (70.9 cu. ft. vs 70.0 cu. ft.) and more trims to choose from (but most of the features like rearview camera, entertaining system, and moonroof are pretty much the same in both vehicles).
All in all, both vehicles are pretty cool and there’s no obvious favorite. You can simply stick with the brand that you like more. Concerning the differences between the Nissan Rogue and the Honda CR-V, the first one looks preferable if you want a 3rd-row.