2022 Nissan Rogue vs Honda CR-V

As you scour the Internet for a brand-new small SUV to take the place of your current vehicle, you will quickly learn how inundated the market is with these vehicles at the moment. Any SUV segment is indeed highly competitive, and all of these small SUVs are trying to edge one another out in terms of power, fuel economy, and their included technological features. Two top rivals that will probably end up on your to-best-test-driven list are the 2022 Nissan Rogue and the 2022 Honda CR-V. And, boy, they are truly some fierce contenders.

Freshly overhauled for the current generation, the totally redesigned 2022 Nissan Rogue gives its buyers a blended balance between power and fuel economy. With its EPA rated 33 miles per gallon in combined driving on the front-wheel drive (FWD) equipped base Rogue, you can make your fuel go a long way. When it was redesigned for the 2021 model year, the Rogue was outfitted with many of the latest and greatest tech features made available by Nissan. Sure, the Rogue comes with a slightly elevated price tag compared to its rivals, but the 2022 Nissan Rogue gives you an abundance of added features to help off-set the difference. What's more, the new Nissan Rogue has a cozy ride quality and well padded seats. Also, the cargo area is spacious and geared toward versatility. Also, there's the list of advanced driver aids geared toward use every day by the average driver.

There are a few downsides to owning the Rogue. This SUV lets in a bit of road and wind noise when cruising on the highway. The funky voice recognition system and cramped back seats detract from the Rogue's overall appeal.

The 2022 Honda CR-V combines swift acceleration with high fuel efficiency. The CR-V's ride performance highlights moderate athleticism, especially regarding how well it handles. It also demonstrates a smooth ride quality. The CR-V's interior is thoughtfully crafted with a plethora of space, small item storage areas, and a versatile cargo area setup. The line-topping Touring trim now comes with standard all-wheel drive (AWD).

The downside to the CR-V is the lack of a separate tuning knob, which makes the fussy touchscreen infotainment display even more difficult to use. Add to that the fact that the CR-V's 1,500-pound max towing capacity sits well below the industry average.

Which one of these two small SUVs is going to check all of your boxes? Does one offer more all-around value than the other? Which price tag best fits your budget? Read through this comparison review to find out.

The Powertrain

A strong powertrain can make owning a small SUV an enjoyable experience. Merging and passing on the highway requires minimal effort, and zipping around town is a breeze. However, an under-powered powertrain can leave you feeling left in the dust.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue is equipped with a brand-new standard 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that produces a higher power output (of 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque) than its notoriously underpowered predecessor. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) comes paired to it. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, but all-wheel drive (AWD) can be put into any of the Rogue's trim levels. You cannot select any other powertrain for the Rogue; this is your only option.

The redesigned Nissan Rogue is composed and smooth in its handling of turns despite not being all that sporty. Still, the Rogue's steering has enough bulk to prevent the vehicle from feeling too floaty. The powertrain could be better, but it is an improvement over the outgoing one. It needs 9 seconds to get from 0 to 60 miles per hour, but that timing is average for a small crossover SUV. While this might not sound like a bad thing, it can feel draining when you have to drive the Rogue every day. You will have to take this SUV into full throttle in order to get a good response power response for merging or passing at highway speed. Plan your actions ahead of time.

When AWD is equipped, the Rogue gets an EPA estimated 28 mpg in combined city and highway driving. These estimates put it about 2 mpg over what most of the Rogue's top competitors achieve. Real-world tests reflect these estimates, which, with gas prices being what they are, should appeal to many buyers who aren't yet ready to invest in a hybrid.

The 2022 Honda CR-V is powered by a standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. It is paired to a CVT. FWD is standard with AWD being an option for any trim save for the Touring, on which it was recently made standard. If you are curious about hybrid SUVs, there is a CR-V Hybrid available from Honda that delivers an even better fuel economy.

The turbo engine is swift from the get-go, zipping from 0 to 60 mph in just about 8.2 seconds. This might not sound all that exciting, but it is a decent showing for this segment. The CVT is refined when it comes to upshifting and downshifting, and it is slightly more fuel savvy than a regular automatic transmission. Handling feels stable and even kind of sporty. What's more, the steering comes off as being both precise and responsive.

EPA estimates put the FWD-equipped 2022 CR-V at 30 mpg in combined driving while the AWD models are draw in 29 mpg combined. While this places the CR-V near the top of its class, achieving these numbers apparently depends on your driving style. 'Lead footed' drivers will probably see lower numbers. However, if you are lighter on the gas pedal, you might see a return that is closer to these estimates - perhaps even a little bit better.

Drivability

Drivability is a term that we use to describe how well-rounded a vehicle is as a daily driver. How comfortable is a vehicle to ride around in? Is the ride quality plush and smooth enough without coming off as too floaty? Are the interior materials of a high enough quality? Are the cabin's controls intuitively laid out? Are the tech features user-friendly? How much cargo space is available? How easy is it to use all of the storage spaces? These are some of the main factors we talk about when discussing a vehicle's drivability status.

Let's start by acknowledging what makes the 2022 Nissan Rogue such a comfy SUV to ride in. The front seats are padded for support and relaxation, making them a great fit for those who love road-trips. The rear seats have two reclining positions and are sculpted with an abundance of lumbar support. The comfort-tuned suspension creates a smooth ride quality, quickly dispatching a variety of road imperfections without issue. Even with the optional 19-inch wheels, the suspension gets rid of all sizes of bumps and juts in the road.

The Rogue has its share of pitfalls. You will get some wind and road noise inside the cabin when you zip along on the highway. However, the tri-zone climate control system on the SL trim level and above is a rarity for small SUVs that aren't in the luxury segment. Regardless of whether you are sitting up front or in the rear, it distributes air flow with ease.

Getting in and out of the Rogue feels effortless thanks to the wide door openings. The spacious cabin feels airy and open, giving the illusion that it's bigger than it really is. Also, you can see clearly in front of the vehicle from your seat behind the wheel due to the wide glass panes. Unfortunately, the thick rear roof pillars require you to use the advanced driver aids to help you see out the back and to the sides. The Rogue's cabin has a crisp and clean design complete with high quality materials. Its layout is easy to get used to, but rear seat leg room is tighter than it is the likes of the Honda CR-V.

The Rogue has become a top contender in this segment due to how much standard tech it includes. When the Rogue was redesigned in 2021, it was given many fancy new tech features that are user-friendly and functional. Smartphone app integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard on every trim level. Also standard is SiriusXM Satellite Radio compatibility.
The base S trim comes with two USB ports, but upgrading one trim level tacks on two charge-only ports to the rear seats. WIFI hot-spot connectivity and a six-speaker audio system are also equipped on the SV and above. The SL Premium package adds voice controls, wireless Apple CarPlay (although wireless Android Auto is not yet available on the Rogue), a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system, a 9-inch touchscreen display, and an integrated navigation system. Going up to the line-topping Platinum adds all of those features plus a digital instrumentation panel and wireless charging pad.

Nissan makes the most of the space it can give the Rogue, which helps it feel like one of the roomiest cabins in this segment. Nissan adds a space-saving two-tier cargo management system called the Divide-N-Hide. With this design, the cargo area gets a dual-panel floor that is versatile, creating a flat load floor that can hold bulkier cargo without blocking rear visibility. When these panels are placed into their lowest position, cargo space comes in at 36.5 cubic feet, which is only a little bit smaller than average for this segment. When you fold the rear seats down, cargo space maxes out at 74.1 cubic feet - one of the largest cargo areas in this class.

The 2022 Honda CR-V has a cozy ride quality despite the fact that a small amount of wind and tire noise make their way into the cabin at higher speeds. While cruising on rougher road surfaces, the suspension dispatches bumps and jitters of all sizes, even with the optional 19-inch tires equipped on the Touring. The front seats provide supple, well-sculpted support for lengthy drives, and the reclining rear seatback boosts comfort for backseat passengers. The only problem is that the automatic climate control system does not always maintain the temperature you set it to.

Getting into the CR-V is simple enough due to its wide door sills. Once you are in, you can simply adjust the steering wheel and driver's seat. The cavernous cabin bests a lot of the competition. The physical controls on the dashboard are easy to use, but those embedded within the touchscreen menus are more finicky. Also, sunlight will wash out the digital temperature gauge display.

Honda's technology is user-oriented with its smartphone app integration standard on all but the base LX trim level. The higher trims add two charge-only USB ports in the rear. The voice controls could do with some fine-tuning, and the touchscreen menus are clunky. However, the navigation screen delivers some seriously clear graphics.

The CR-V offers a lot of volume to work with - 9.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. Max the cargo volume out to 75.8 cubic feet by folding the rear seats down, and they fold flat. There are numerous small item storage spaces smattered throughout the cabin, with the center console's deep bin and configurable sliding tray proving to be both smart and helpful. The LATCH system makes installing car seats in the back a cinch, and there is plenty of space for bulky rear-facing car seats. You will, however, wish the CR-V had about 2,000 pounds more in towing capacity, as it sits at a measly 1,500 pounds max.

Safety

Safety is a primary concern for just about every driver. Automakers are aware of the demand for advanced safety features and designs. Nissan and Honda are well versed in how to create functional driver aids and include quite a few of them on their SUVs. And they sure do seem to love competing for best-in-class safety ratings.

Nissan's driver aids appear to work well enough since the automaker refined them during the last overhaul. As owners have noted since 2021, the new lane centering assist and adaptive cruise control are less likely to emit false warnings than similar features found on other vehicles. Owners even state that these features bring them some peace of mind while driving. There is one odd glitch though. Adaptive cruise control should communicate with the nav system to slow the Rogue down to prepare it for oncoming curves, but this doesn't seem to work.

Honda equips the CR-V with a standard suite of advanced driver aids. These include forward collision mitigation, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and lane keeping assist. A multi-angle rear-view camera is also included on the CR-V, with dynamic guidelines coming on the higher trim levels. On the EX and above, you get a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert.

Which Has the Best Value?

Before you cement your decision on which small SUV to buy, you ought to consider what contributes to a vehicle's value for you. Which vehicle has the most overall value? Test-driving a vehicle can only tell you so much, which is why buyers need to do their research and hear about owners' experiences.

2022 Nissan Rogue buyers get plenty of value given how many standard tech features and driver aids make the list. This lengthy list means that the Rogue is more expensive than some competitors, but the Platinum's quilted leather and wireless smartphone app integration make the higher price tag justifiable. Most buyers don't stick with the base trim, so you'll want to carve a deeper hole into your budget for a more well-equipped Rogue trim. Warranty coverage is industry standard, but the quality of materials inside the cabin is higher than many rivals'.

2022 Honda CR-V owners will get plenty of value from their vehicles. Honda's interior build quality is clean and of higher quality than others in this class. The available leather upholstery in the higher trims looks high-end, and the standard turbo engine serves up ample power delivery without sipping too heavily on gasoline. Warranty coverage and roadside assistance are all industry average though.

Which is Better?

Both the Rogue and CR-V are capable small SUVs with a lot of character. While the CR-V has a great powertrain thanks to the CVT, it lacks some of the standard features found on the revamped Rogue. Ultimately, it will be a toss-up with brand preference winning out in the end. Honda enthusiasts will likely love the CR-V's versatility while Nissan fans will appreciate the high-quality design and included tech.