2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Nissan Rogue underwent a complete redesign, presenting a more muscular and imposing presence in the compact SUV segment. Its squared-off nose featured a deeper interpretation of Nissan’s V-Motion grille, flanked by narrow, angled LED headlamps and separate LED daytime running lights. Functional forward air vents and active grille shutters contributed to a lower coefficient of drag, despite the Rogue's boxier proportions. The exterior colour palette was simplified to a few core colours, with additional two-tone options available on the Platinum grade. Inside, seating surfaces varied from cloth to semi-aniline quilted Nappa leather, depending on the trim, with the Platinum model offering a more luxurious interior.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V maintained a design that blended in with many other compact crossovers, with few distinguishing features apart from its grille and some chromed plastic elements. The CR-V was available in seven colours, though many were shades of grey, black, or white, with blue and red as the more vibrant options. Inside, the CR-V offered a modern look with angular seat designs and a choice of materials depending on the trim level. While the CR-V's styling was not its main selling point, it provided a functional and comfortable interior space for passengers.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured a new 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, with improvements in both performance and fuel efficiency over the previous generation. The engine was well-matched to the Rogue's weight, ranging from 1,536 kg for the FWD S grade to 1,653 kg for the AWD Platinum model. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) was less droning than expected, though no alternate powertrain options were available. Fuel efficiency was reasonable, with the FWD model achieving 8.9 L/100 km in the city and 7.0 on the highway, while the AWD version used slightly more. The Rogue's handling was improved with better torsional rigidity, a lighter weight, and updated suspension, providing a stable and planted road feel.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 190 horsepower. Acceleration was smooth and steady, with a 0-100 km/h time of about 8 seconds. The CR-V's CVT maintained constant engine revs as speed increased, offering a less engaging driving experience compared to competitors with conventional transmissions. FWD was standard, with AWD available on the LX and standard on other trims. The CR-V's suspension setup was typical for the class, providing decent handling and ride quality without surprises.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered functional updates across all trims, including a quieter cabin and a new shift-by-wire system that added storage space. Rear doors opened to 85 degrees for improved access, and second-row headroom was increased. Standard features included heated front seats, a steering wheel, and exterior mirrors. The SV trim added a 360-degree camera, remote start, and a panoramic sunroof. The Platinum grade included a redesigned cargo system with 1,028 litres of space with seats up and 2,064 litres with them folded. The cargo system allowed for a 5 cm floor height adjustment and a panel to separate cargo.

The 2021 Honda CR-V prioritized function, offering more than 100 litres of interior volume over the Toyota RAV4. With rear seats folded, it provided 1,065 litres of cargo space. Access to the cargo area varied by trim, with manual, power, and hands-free tailgate options. Roof rails were standard on most trims for additional cargo-carrying capability.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM. The SV grade added in-car Wi-Fi, additional USB ports, and NissanConnect services. The Platinum grade upgraded to a 9-inch screen, wireless phone charging, and a Bose audio system. However, the digital instrument cluster had readability issues due to low contrast.

The 2021 Honda CR-V came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Audio systems varied by trim, with the Touring offering a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were plentiful, with USB and 12-volt outlets throughout the cabin. The Touring trim included a wireless phone charger.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue included the Safety Shield 360 suite as standard, featuring emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane departure warning. The SV model added ProPILOT Assist for highway driving assistance. The Rogue received a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS and a four-star NHTSA rating, with improvements in later models.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. The Honda Sensing system was standard across all trims, offering features like collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The only feature not standard on the base LX was blind spot monitoring.