Some of America’s favorite vehicles are compact SUVs, and two of the most popular choices in this segment are the 2025 Honda CR-V and the 2025 Nissan Rogue. Both SUVs are at the top of their game in 2025, with the CR-V still fresh from a complete redesign two years ago and the Rogue just off a mid-cycle, keeping it competitive.
As the reigning Kelley Blue Book Best Buy compact SUV award winner, this sixth generation of the CR-V is no pushover. With near-class-leading cargo space, refined driving manners, and a record for stellar resale value, this Honda sport-ute is the total package.
The Rogue isn’t going to lie down and play dead, however. Like the CR-V, the Rogue has been receiving improvements in recent years, boosting fuel efficiency, adding more safety features, and improving suspension refinement. These two SUVs are evenly matched on paper, making choosing the best one that much harder.
Let’s take a look at the highlights of the Honda CR-V and Nissan Rogue.
2025 Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V comes in three trims: the base LX, mid-level EX, and range-topping EX-L. A CR-V Hybrid is also available, but we review it separately. For 2025, the CR-V is also available as a California-only hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.
Every non-hybrid CR-V has a 190-horsepower turbo 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional.
Honda CR-V Highlights
Honda Sensing and safety scores: Many SUV shoppers will love knowing the CR-V earns the coveted Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This is not simply because the CR-V scores top marks in physical crash tests. The IIHS also delves into the effectiveness of a vehicle’s headlights, compatibility with child safety seats, and the accuracy of driver aids like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.
Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award winner: Honda’s trophy cabinet proves the level of engineering expertise that goes into this compact SUV. The key here is that the CR-V doesn’t have any significant faults. Sure, slightly larger infotainment screens would be nice, and a few added MPGs are always welcome. But at the end of the day – or one of our many extensive test drives of Honda’s best-selling SUV – the CR-V doesn’t put a foot (or tire) wrong.
Roomy interior: With 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the split-folding rear seat back, few compact SUVs match the load-lugging capability of the CR-V. The Rogue isn’t far behind, but the Honda does hold a slight edge in this department.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the CR-V models for sale near you.
2025 Nissan Rogue
The popular Nissan Rogue returns for 2025 with a rugged Rock Creek edition, plus enhanced technology that includes Nissan’s ProPilot Assist 2.1, an optional hands-free driving system for use on compatible roads.
The Rogue has four trims: S, SV, SL, and Platinum. Standard features consist of an 8-inch touchscreen (a larger 12.3-inch unit is in higher trims), wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a pair of USB ports, and Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 suite with features like front and rear automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning.
Nissan Rogue Highlights
Great fuel economy: A 201-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter 3-cylinder paired to a CVT and choice of front- or all-wheel drive became the standard powertrain for the Rogue starting with the 2022 model year. Fuel economy is laudable, with an EPA-rated 33 mpg in a mix of city and highway driving. For comparison, a front-wheel-drive CR-V manages 30 mpg combined.
Zero Gravity front seats: No, you can’t float objects around the Rogue’s cabin like in the International Space Station. But you will benefit from some NASA know-how when perched in the front of the Rogue. By studying the space agency’s testing of the ideal seating position and design for spacecraft, Nissan came up with its Zero Gravity seating. We found them extremely supportive during testing and perfect for taking the (literal) pain out of long drives.
Google-based infotainment system: The SL and Platinum trims now come with a 12.3-inch touchscreen that runs a Google-based operating system. Among other features, it includes highly accurate Google Maps-based navigation. Don’t worry, iPhone users — you can still use Apple CarPlay. Additional tech touches like a 10.8-inch head-up instrument display and wireless charging pad are available, too.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Rogue models for sale near you.
Similarities
The CR-V and Rogue are sized and priced right in the thick of the compact SUV segment. Neither has a massive advantage over the other regarding legroom, cargo capacity, or even horsepower. Standard safety and infotainment tech features are also similar.
Pricing
New 2025 Nissan Rogue Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (06082)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$29,980 |
$29,071 |
|||
$30,980 |
$30,041 |
|||
$34,880 |
$33,338 |
|||
$36,480 |
$34,933 |
|||
$39,980 |
$39,388 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Honda CR-V vehicles and New 2025 Nissan Rogue vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Honda CR-V | 2025 Nissan Rogue | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | Turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder | Turbocharged 1.5-liter 3-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 190 hp @ 6,000 rpm | 201 hp @ 5,600 rpm |
| Torque | 179 lb-ft @ 1,700 – 5,000 rpm | 225 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT | CVT |
| Fuel economy MPG | 28 city/34 highway/30 combined | 30 city/37 highway/33 combined |
| Also Available | AWD; Hybrid; fuel cell (California-only) | AWD |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | Not rated | 5-Star |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 inches | 106.5 inches |
| Overall Length | 184.8 inches | 183.0 inches |
| Width | 73.5 inches | 72.4 inches |
| Height | 66.5 inches | 66.5 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 37.3 feet | 35.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 38.2 inches | 41.1 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 38.2 inches | 39.2 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.3 inches | 41.5 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 41.0 inches | 38.5 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.9 inches | 57.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 55.9 inches | 55.9 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 39.3 cubic feet | 36.5 cubic feet |
Conclusion
There are many good reasons why the Honda CR-V and Nissan Rogue are consistently among the best-selling SUVs in their segment. They’re perfect for car shoppers who want a vehicle that’s not too big or too small and appreciate having a spacious interior and commanding seating position.
Consider the Rogue if a lower base price and better fuel economy are among your top priorities. The Nissan also has advantages like those extra comfy front seats, sizeable interior storage cubbies, and rear doors that swing open a full 90 degrees.
The Rogue runs it close, but the roomy and reliable Honda CR-V retains the top spot in our Best Compact SUVs list. This is one highly polished compact SUV that excels in every meaningful category. And for those who prioritize fuel economy, the available CR-V Hybrid could be even more attractive.
Take the Rogue and other small SUVs for a test drive, but don’t be surprised if you keep returning to the CR-V in the end.
