Given the highly competitive nature of the compact crossover segment, it’s unsurprising that the Rogue ($29,230), RAV4 ($29,250), and Escape ($29,150) have near-identical base MSRP prices. The outlier is the CR-V, which costs several hundred dollars more ($30,100).
Many buyers choose compact crossovers to save money at the pump. Here, the Rogue stands above the rest with an EPA-determined rating of 30 mpg in city driving, compared to 27 mpg for the RAV4 and Escape. The CR-V also falls behind, returning an EPA-estimated 28 mpg. The Rogue is also the clear winner for highway fuel economy, with a rating of 37 mpg, while the others trail with 34 mpg (35 mpg for the RAV4). Edmunds reports that over five years, the Rogue is about $750 less expensive to fill up than the RAV4, CR-V, or Escape (based on driving 15,000 miles per year).
Better fuel economy also translates into longer times between trips to the gas station—a bonus for road trips. The Rogue’s 537-mile maximum range tops the 508-mile distance capability of the RAV4. The Escape has a 503-mile range, while the CR-V is at distant fourth place with a 476-mile range.
Balancing performance and efficiency is the name of the game with compact crossovers. The Rogue accomplishes this with a state-of-the-art variable compression, turbocharged three-cylinder engine. This VC-Turbo unit enables the Rogue to adapt better between performance and fuel economy as driving conditions demand. The Escape also uses a three-cylinder turbo engine but lacks variable compression technology. The RAV4 and CR-V rely on conventional, non-turbocharged four-cylinder powerplants.
As a result, the Rogue delivers a lively 201 horsepower, compared to 190 for the CR-V and 180 for the Escape. The RAV4 has a slight edge with 203 horsepower. That said, torque is another essential element of engine output and a crucial contributor to straight-line acceleration. The Rogue produces a robust 225 lb.-ft. of torque, which far exceeds the torque output of the Escape (199 lb.-ft.), RAV4 (189 lb.-ft.), and CR-V (179 lb.-ft.).
It’s no secret that these four crossovers have similar measurements—often differing by only a fraction of an inch in key dimensions. Nonetheless, the Rogue excels in several critical areas. Notably, this Nissan has 105.4 cubic feet of passenger volume, far exceeding the 98.9 cubic feet in the RAV4. The Escape has 104 cubic feet of interior space. The base CR-V LX has slightly more passenger volume (106 cubic feet), although its higher trims drop to 103.5 cubic feet.
In practical terms, the Rogue’s more expansive cabin means a roomier and more spacious interior, especially compared to the RAV4. The Rogue also has more maximum cargo capacity (behind the first row) at 74.1 cubic feet versus the RAV4 (69.8 cubic feet) and the Escape (65.5 cubic feet). At the same time, the Rogue’s 41.1 inches of front headroom beats the others by as much as 1.6 inches (the RAV4 has 39.5 inches of headroom, while the CR-V and Escape each have 40.0 inches).
The base Rogue S has more standard equipment than the equivalent (base-level) trims of its rivals. For instance, the entry-level Rogue has rear parking sensors, a safety and convenience feature that isn’t even available on the others’ lowest-priced trims. Meanwhile, buyers who want blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert will find these technologies standard across the Rogue lineup. RAV4 and CR-V shoppers will have to spend more for an optional package or a higher trim. Listening to SiriusXM satellite radio is a perk for drivers of every Rogue trim, but it’s absent from the least expensive editions of the RAV4 and CR-V.
