2024 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid marked a significant shift in design for the model, presenting a more assertive and truck-like appearance compared to its predecessors. It was longer and wider, with a muscular stance that was visually evident. The classic D-pillar taillights were modernized with three L shapes, contributing to a more aggressive look. The CR-V Hybrid Touring trim, tested in Canyon River Blue, featured sporty elements like black roof rails and mirrors, dual chrome exhaust finishers, and 19-inch wheels. Inside, the CR-V Hybrid followed the design cues of the 2022 Civic and 2023 HR-V, with a premium feel enhanced by high-quality materials and contrast stitching.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received its first major styling update since its 2021 launch, with a new larger grille and redesigned taillight elements. The Rogue's exterior updates included satin-finish badging and new wheel designs, with the Platinum model featuring more black trim and an optional black roof. Inside, the Rogue's dashboard was updated to accommodate a new 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, giving it a more premium feel. The Rogue Platinum test car featured leather seats with quilted stitching, and the interior was well-appointed with new materials on various surfaces, enhancing its upscale appeal.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid offered a choice between a turbocharged or hybrid powertrain, with the hybrid combining a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and two electric motors to produce 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. This made it the most powerful CR-V to date, with a top speed of 185 km/h. The hybrid powertrain was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and featured four drive modes: Sport, Normal, Econ, and Snow. The CR-V Hybrid also introduced a "B" shifter position for increased regenerative braking, contributing to its fuel efficiency of 6.0 L/100 km in the city, 6.9 on the highway, and 6.4 combined.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue featured a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with VC-Turbo technology, allowing it to vary its compression ratio for power or fuel economy. It produced 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque, outperforming many competitors' engines. However, the CVT was slow to transfer power to the wheels, and the Rogue's suspension was firmer than expected, affecting ride quality. Despite the engine's impressive performance, the Rogue was not particularly engaging to drive, though it was quiet on the road.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid's larger exterior translated to more interior space, with 1,028 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 2,030 litres with them folded. The Touring model featured a hands-free power tailgate, and all CR-Vs had wide-opening rear doors for easy access. Rear seat legroom increased to 1,042 mm, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The interior offered practical storage solutions, including a cubby for smartphones and eight cupholders throughout the cabin.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue offered competitive passenger space, with slight differences in legroom compared to rivals. Its cargo space was 1,033 litres with the rear seats up and 2,098 litres with them folded. The optional Divide-N-Hide system allowed for flexible cargo configurations, and the Rogue featured a molded-in space for grocery bags. The centre console had a pass-through space for added flexibility, though accessing the storage tray at floor level was awkward.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with physical buttons, while the EX-L and Hybrid Touring trims had a 9-inch touchscreen. It was well-equipped with USB ports, Bluetooth, dual-zone climate control, heated seats, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Hybrid Touring trim also included Honda's smart navigation system, optimizing fuel efficiency based on the route.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue's lower trims had an 8-inch touchscreen, while the SL and Platinum models featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Rogue was the first Nissan to offer Google built-in software, integrating Google Maps and other apps directly with the infotainment system. The dual 12.3-inch screen setup was a significant improvement, though the touchscreen was occasionally slow to boot up. The Rogue also offered multiple USB ports and a wireless charging pad.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, and the Honda Sensing suite. New features for 2023 included traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, and low-speed braking control. The CR-V Hybrid had received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with additional structural updates for improved crash protection.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue received good safety scores from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and lane departure warning. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, added automated lane centring for highway driving, though it required driver attention. The system was more advanced than many rivals' offerings.