Starting at
Starting at
| 201 | Horsepower (hp) | 190 |
| 8 | Touchscreen (in) | 7 |
| 30/37 | Fuel Economy (city/hwy MPG) | 28/34 |
Shopping for a car can be hard; you have a lot of decisions to make, tons of details to keep track of, and the constant worry of missing out on or overlooking something that you will later regret. That is why Illini Nissan works so hard to make things as easy on you as possible with everything we do. For example, it can be tricky to narrow down all of the options available to you in a compact crossover SUV to find the perfect one, but it helps to keep things simple by just looking at a couple of options at a time to see how they compare and stack up to each other.
Take the 2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Honda CR-V, for instance; these are both exceptional compact models that many drivers highly rate, but there are some important differences between them. Looking at the standard gas engine options offered, the Nissan Rogue gives you a superior driving experience thanks to its turbocharged 1.5L engine that delivers 201 hp, compared to the similar 190-hp engine that Honda has put into the CR-V. Similarly, the Nissan Rogue gets much better gas mileage, with an estimated 30 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway, compared to an estimated 28 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway for fuel economy with the CR-V.
You will find very similar amounts of space inside both of these vehicles, which is to be expected since they are both compact models, but the interior of the Nissan Rogue is nicer in some key ways. For example, the Honda CR-V starts with a 7-inch infotainment display standard, while the Rogue has a standard 8-inch screen to give you more for your money—this difference might not sound like a lot, but it truly is noticeable. Both of these vehicles also come with a standard package of advanced safety features, but Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 suite has more to offer and provides you with a superior overall driving experience.
You might be tempted to think that the engine in a compact crossover does not matter and to focus on other aspects of your vehicle instead. That is understandable—after all, there is quite a difference in the kind of power you need for a full-size truck or a sports car compared to a small SUV like the 2023 Nissan Rogue. It is a mistake to overlook the engine, however, because it still impacts a great deal of your driving experience each day, along with how often you will have to stop for gas.
The Nissan Rogue features a turbocharged 1.5L I-3 engine that delivers 201 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque, which is paired with a continuously variable transmission for an incredibly smooth ride. This much power in such a small vehicle is a perfect combination that ensures you will look forward to every opportunity to get behind the wheel. For the CR-V, Honda has provided a standard turbocharged 1.5L I-4 engine, which might sound better initially, but it only offers 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. The Rogue’s engine is more powerful, particularly when it comes to torque, and you can feel that difference; the fact that Nissan got so much more performance with one fewer cylinder proves how remarkable their engineering is.
More power is great, and you will certainly appreciate the added torque when moving from a stoplight or merging with traffic on the highway, but you could argue that efficiency is more important with a crossover model like these two. With its impressive engine, the Nissan Rogue gets an estimated 30 MPG in the city, 37 MPG on the highway, and 33 MPG of combined fuel efficiency. By comparison, the Honda’s standard engine is not only weaker but gets just 28 MPG in the city, 34 MPG on the highway, and 30 MPG of combined estimated fuel economy. There is a hybrid option available for the CR-V that improves these numbers, but you also have to pay a lot more for it.
One of the most important things to focus on when looking for your next vehicle is the interior of any model you are interested in. That is where most of your time with your SUV will be spent, and the interior features you get will tremendously impact your driving experiences each day. While both of these models have some impressive options available, the features of the 2023 Nissan Rogue come through to give you more to enjoy when you get behind the wheel.
Looking at the Honda CR-V, it comes with basic climate control, power door locks, and push-button start, all standard. It also has a 7-inch infotainment display standard, a four-speaker sound system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, and illuminated steering wheel-mounted controls. There are two rows of seating inside for up to five passengers, with a manually-adjustable driver’s seat as the standard option. Some improvements and upgrades are available, like nicer seating and a larger 9-inch infotainment screen, but the standard features are not exactly innovative.
Standard features in the Nissan Rogue include remote keyless entry with push-button start, comfortable cloth seating, and an impressive Advanced Drive-Assist display for you when you are behind the wheel. An 8-inch infotainment screen is standard in the Rogue, significantly larger than the one in the Honda model, along with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus much more.
Looking at available features, the Rogue goes to the next level with tri-zone automatic temperature control to ensure all of your passengers are comfortable, an 8-way power driver’s seat with quilted semi-aniline leather-appointed seating that includes heated front and rear seats, and a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel. Combining this with the available 12.3-inch digital dashboard with fully digital gauges, a 9-inch infotainment screen, and a Bose Premium audio system creates something truly special.
Ultimately, no matter what vehicle you are interested in, nothing is more important than how well it can protect you and help keep you safe on the road. We are happy to say that both the 2023 Nissan Rogue and the Honda CR-V are very safe vehicles with a host of impressive features designed to improve your safety. That being said, there are a few key things that give the Rogue the edge, which you should keep in mind when choosing your next ride.
The Honda CR-V comes with Honda Sensing, their name for their advanced safety technology, which includes a Collision Mitigation Braking System, a Road Departure Mitigation System, and Adaptive Cruise Control. Along with this suite of features, every CR-V model also comes with auto high-beam headlights, a rear seat reminder, and the kinds of important tools you would expect, like a tire pressure monitoring system. There are also some extra options like a Blind Spot Information System and Low-Speed Braking Control that are available at higher trims but not standard, but they are not even offered on the starting model.
With the 2023 Rogue, you get Nissan Safety Shield 360 and its impressive package of technologies that includes an Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, and a Lane Departure Warning. You also get a Rear Cross Traffic Alert to warn you when someone is approaching while you are backing up, along with Rear Automatic Braking and a Blind Spot Warning standard on every Rogue model. If you want to take safety even further, then you can choose additional options like Intelligent Blind Spot Intervention and an Intelligent Around View Monitor, though the standard features already surpass what the CR-V comes with.
We are not going to pretend like the Honda CR-V is a lackluster vehicle because it is clear that Honda has put a lot of effort into designing a good compact crossover. When it comes to your next ride, however, “good” simply is not good enough. The Nissan Rogue gives you better performance, superior fuel efficiency, a gorgeous and comfortable interior, and amazing safety technology to protect you and your loved ones on the road. Each of the differences between these two models can seem minor when you look at them individually, but altogether they add up to significant weaknesses for the Honda model. You deserve to get the best vehicle possible that you can enjoy, and look forward to driving for many years to come.
Here at Illini Nissan, we are incredibly proud to be able to offer the Rogue and the rest of the incredible Nissan lineup. Whether you already know that a compact crossover is perfect for you, or if you are still looking at several options and trying to narrow down your choices, we can help you find the right vehicle. One of our friendly and helpful salespeople will listen to you, discuss the options available, and take you through our lineup to ensure you drive away in the right vehicle that meets your needs. Call or come visit us at Illini Nissan today to learn more and let us show you how easy and rewarding it can be to shop for your next car.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
