The Honda CR-V and Nissan Rogue are arguably two of the most popular vehicles in the smaller SUV segment. But when two of the best SUVs on the market are pitted against one another, it appears clear that the two are not as similar as you would think. In fact, it’s easy to find the winner of the battle of the best compact SUVs.

Where the Honda CR-V excels

The experts at U.S. News put the 2020 Honda CR-V and Nissan Rogue against each other to see which compact SUV is the best. According to U.S. News’ findings, the 2020 Honda CR-V edges out the Rogue in a variety of categories.

The Honda CR-V’s base price is lower than the Rogue’s, albeit only slightly. But its lower base price also provides buyers better bang-for-their-buck, with “plenty of comfortable features for its low price.”

Whether it’s the base CR-V or the top trim level, the 2020 Honda CR-V offers the best in interior space, comfort, and amenities, across the entire segment. Not only is the CR-V’s interior more spacious than the Rogue’s, but it also offers more of “an upscale feel” as well.

Passengers in the CR-V will enjoy more leg and headroom than those riding in the Rogue, but that space continues throughout the Honda CR-V. With the seats folded down, the CR-V has an impressive maximum cargo hold of 75.8 cubic-feet; over 5 cubic-feet more than offered in the Rogue.

In addition to its long list of standard features, the 2020 Honda CR-V also comes standard with a laundry list of safety features and a crash-test rating that outshines the Rogue’s.

In crash-testing performed by the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) and NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), the 2020 Honda CR-V received the highest possible scores.

As one of the most popular SUVs in the recent decade, the Honda CR-V’s fuel efficiency is impressive. While both the CR-V and Rogue have great fuel efficiency for the SUV segment, the CR-V still edges out the Rogue by earning an EPA-estimated 28 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway on non-hybrid models.

Its fuel efficiency doesn’t take away from the CR-V’s performance either, out-powering the Rogue with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 190 hp. According to Kelley Blue Book, this is more than the 2020 Nissan Rogue’s slightly-underpowered 170 hp.

What the 2020 Nissan Rogue has over the Honda CR-V

Both the CR-V and Rogue are known for dependability and both improved reliability scores over the 2019 model year, but the 2020 Nissan Rogue receives slightly higher scores in quality and reliability.

According to JD Power, the 2020 Nissan Rogue comes with an above-average reliability rating of 81/100, while the Honda CR-V’s reliability score stands as only slightly above-average.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue’s legroom is a little more cramped than the CR-V’s, but it may offer owners more on the interior when it comes to technology. Where the Honda CR-V comes standard with a 5.0-inch touchscreen display, Nissan offers a larger, 7.0-inch touchscreen display as standard equipment. And unlike the CR-V, features like Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and satellite radio come standard in the Nissan Rogue.

The better SUV is clear

The Honda CR-V and Nissan Rogue are both compelling SUVs. Both come in at a similar price point and offer similar interior features, technology, and safety features. Plus, these SUVs also come with strong reliability ratings, even with the Rogue slightly edging out the CR-V in scoring.

Both also share the same, strong, five-year powertrain and three-year limited warranties. But with pricing so similar between the two, it’s clear that the 2020 Honda CR-V offers buyers more in the way of value, fuel-efficiency, safety, and performance.