2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid vs 2023 Nissan Rogue

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was a testament to the brand's commitment to maintaining a classic design with a modern twist. It featured well-proportioned, chiseled styling that exuded a rugged yet sophisticated aura. The Rogue's design was appealing, ensuring it remained a popular choice among consumers who valued aesthetics in their vehicle selection. The lineup offered various trims, from the base S FWD to the luxurious Platinum, each providing a unique blend of features and style. The Platinum trim, in particular, stood out with its upscale upgrades, including soft, diamond-pattern leather seats and a host of premium features that elevated the driving experience.

In contrast, the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid presented a more conservative design with a technical front resembling an angry robot. While the styling might not have been universally appealing, it was expected to age well. The CR-V Hybrid's best angle was from the rear quarter, where its Volvo-adjacent taillights and tidy design gave it an upscale appearance. The Touring Hybrid trim, with its exclusive 19-inch gloss black wheels, added a touch of shine, although they were less noticeable with darker paint colours. Inside, the CR-V Hybrid's cabin was a showcase of quality, with leather seats featuring orange contrast stitching and numerous details that imparted a sense of sophistication.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine, producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This VC-Turbo engine, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), offered a responsive driving experience in urban settings. However, it lacked passing power on the highway, and some drivers might have found the engine's character and vibration through the accelerator pedal less refined. The Rogue's fuel economy was slightly below expectations, averaging 8.1 L/100 km in combined driving. The SUV's ride quality was enhanced by Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, although the steering felt lifeless, and the all-season tires provided modest grip.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a fourth-generation two-motor hybrid drive system, delivering 204 horsepower to all four wheels. This system combined an Atkinson-cycle 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, providing a seamless driving experience. Despite the complexity of the powertrain, it worked transparently, with only minor acoustic warnings and engine droning at low speeds. The CR-V Hybrid's fuel economy was also below expectations, averaging 8.7 L/100 km on a mountainous testing loop. The SUV offered a compliant ride quality with predictable handling traits, although the steering effort was unusually heavy even in Normal mode.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was designed as a practical family vehicle, offering ample space for four passengers and a fifth when necessary. The Platinum trim featured premium semi-aniline leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the rear seat comfort was lacking, with a low-mounted cushion and diamond-shaped quilted pleats that felt uncomfortable. The Rogue's cargo area was versatile, with up to 1,028 litres of space behind the back seat and 2,064 litres with the seats folded down. The Divide-N-Hide feature allowed for various cargo configurations, enhancing practicality.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in form and function, with a spacious and comfortable interior. The 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat provided excellent support, while the rear seat offered generous legroom and adjustable backrest angles. The CR-V Hybrid's cargo area was slightly smaller than its gas counterpart, with 1,028 litres of space behind the rear seats and 2,030 litres with the seats folded down. The SUV's wide-opening rear doors and ample storage options made it a practical choice for families.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue featured an older infotainment system with an 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen display. The test vehicle had the larger screen, offering Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a Bose premium audio system. However, the voice recognition technology was limited, struggling with conversational commands. The Rogue also included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a head-up display, both of which performed well during testing.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid came standard with a 9-inch infotainment display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless smartphone charging. The Touring trim added navigation and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. While the voice recognition system was basic, the CR-V Hybrid's walk-away automatic locking feature provided peace of mind by locking the doors as the driver walked away with the key fob.

The 2023 Nissan Rogue was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including 10 airbags, Safety Shield 360, and ProPilot Assist with Navi-link. The SUV earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for 2022 and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. However, it received lower scores in updated small overlap frontal-impact and side-impact tests.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured Honda Sensing, which included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Hybrid trims added blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors. The CR-V Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS for 2024, although it did not achieve the top award due to a poor rating in the updated moderate overlap front test.