For nearly two decades, the Honda CR-V and the Nissan Rogue have been major names in the compact crossover SUV market. Originally introduced in 1995 and now in its sixth generation, the Honda CR-V continues to hold strong. Ever since it debuted in 2007, though, the Nissan Rogue has been nipping at Honda's heels, trying to secure the crown.
With the 2025 model year recently introduced for both vehicles, we thought it was time to revisit the ongoing question of which crossover to buy. Should you be trying to find a Honda CR-V for sale near Pittsfield, or is the Rogue a better choice? In this guide, we compare the 2025 CR-V and 2025 Rogue to see how they stack up in the ongoing battle for compact crossover supremacy.
Hybrid Power for Big-Time Performance
You don’t have to look far to see where the 2025 Honda CR-V has a leg up. While the 2025 Rogue is again only offered with an internal combustion engine, the CR-V can be purchased as a hybrid to give you an extra jolt of power and efficiency. By combining a 2.0L inline-four engine with dual electric motors, output surges to 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, nosing out the Rogue’s 201 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque—not to mention there’s no turbo lag, either. You’ll feel the added surge when you’re putting the throttle down on Route 20 or maneuvering through rush-hour Pittsfield traffic. The numbers back it up, with the CR-V Hybrid clocking the 0-60 mph run in 7.6 seconds versus the Rogue’s 8.4 seconds.
Despite that added power, fuel economy is better in CR-V Hybrid models thanks to regenerative braking and other hybrid technology. They get an EPA-estimated 40 MPG combined in front-wheel drive (FWD) and 37 MPG combined in all-wheel drive (AWD).[a] The 2025 Rogue can’t hang with this, coming in at 33 MPG combined and 31 MPG combined, respectively. You can drive 80 miles further on a full tank, and your wallet will be happier when the monthly gas card statement arrives.
The hybrid powertrain is found on the 2025 CR-V Sport, Sport-L, and Sport Touring trims, so these machines live up to their names. Shoppers who are on a tighter budget or don’t need those extra horses can still buy the CR-V with a turbocharged inline-four engine, similar to the Rogue. Both models have a continuously variable transmission to always give you the best pull and cruising gear.
A Refined Drive With a Twist
Even if you’re not getting the hybrid, you surely want to feel special at the wheel. The Honda CR-V delivers this with a driving experience you’d expect from its luxury Acura siblings. Every 2025 CR-V has independent front and rear suspension with high-performance MacPherson struts on the front, giving you a mix of sophistication and sportiness. You also get variable-ratio steering, ultra-smooth all-season tires, and alloy wheels on all trims but the base LX.
The real-time AWD (standard on the Sport Touring Hybrid, available on all other trims) is also worth mentioning. It uses Honda’s Intelligent Control System that makes your AWD proactive instead of reactive, anticipating the need for more power to the rear wheels when accelerating, climbing hills, or driving in foul weather. Honda took particular care to optimize this system for snow, which you’ll be thankful for during Pittsfield winters. Everything adds up to a comfortable, agile ride in a vehicle that goes where you want it to.
The 2025 Rogue, on the other hand, is more of a plain Jane. While the ride is smooth enough, it will never get your heart revving on the backroads the way a CR-V can. The steering system doesn’t provide as much feedback, either, compounding the lack of dexterity. Furthermore, many reviewers have noted the Rogue produces a lot of tire and road noise, especially at highway speed. It’s a solid daily commuter that lacks excitement even in the higher trims.
More Room for Passengers and Cargo
Few people get a compact crossover expecting a cavernous interior—but if any such vehicle offers one, it’s the 2025 Honda CR-V. Front legroom is roughly equal between these two rides, with 41.3 inches for the CR-V and 41.5 inches for the Rogue. The back seat, though, is where the CR-V shines. It has an impressive 41 inches of rear legroom, while the Rogue can only offer 38.5 inches. Those 2.5 inches make a difference when teens and adults are along for a long trip. The CR-V also has plenty of headroom, hip room, and shoulder room to get comfy.
Crossover owners want cargo space, too, and the 2025 CR-V scores another decisive win here. It has 39.3 cubic feet of rear storage with the seats up. Even when adding the underfloor storage area, the 2025 Rogue can only muster 36.5 cubic feet. The gap is similar when the rear seats are folded down at 76.5 cubic feet for the Honda versus 74.1 cubic feet for the Nissan. When you’re loading gear for practice at Pittsfield High School or going to Lake Onota with your best friend, you’ll be glad to know there’s enough space.
A Safe Ride for Everyone
While power and thrills are great, above all, you want your car to be safe. Trouble is always just around the corner, and you don’t want one mistake—by you or someone else—to mean serious vehicle damage and injury. The good news is that the 2025 Honda CR-V is designed to be an extremely safe vehicle, sporting an advanced design with a full collection of airbags designed to protect occupants.
Of course, you don’t want to get in a crash in the first place, and the 2025 Honda CR-V is here to help prevent accidents. Between the Honda Sensing suite and other technologies, the CR-V has numerous driver assistance technologies, including a Collision Mitigation Braking System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Auto High-Beam Headlights, and Traffic Jam Assist. Higher trims add even more safety tech, like Cross Traffic Monitor and parking sensors.
The 2025 Rogue falls short in comparison. Features like the Traffic Sign Recognition System and Lane Keeping Assist System, which are standard across the board on the CR-V, can only be found on the highest trims of the Rogue. Others, like Low-Speed Braking Control and the Road Departure Mitigation System, you can’t get at all with a Rogue. Add active and passive Honda safety features like vehicle stability assistance, a multi-angle rearview camera, LED daytime running lights, and child-proof rear door locks for a complete protection package.
The 2025 Honda CR-V: Still the Compact Crossover King
It’s easy to see why the CR-V remains a force to be reckoned with in the compact SUV segment. It offers everyday commuting with a touch of class and sport, especially in the hybrid versions. With six trims, there are plenty of options to get your perfect compact crossover. Here at Bedard Brothers Honda, we have the 2025 Honda CR-V on our lot for you to test drive. We have served drivers in Pittsfield and the surrounding communities since 1954 with a customer-first approach. With flexible hours, we offer a world-class car-buying experience on your schedule. If you want to drive the compact crossover you like home while being treated like family before, during, and after the sale, come to Bedard Brothers Honda!
