2008 Compact Crossover Comparison

Crossover vehicles, especially those that are compact in size, have become hot items lately—yet not everyone agrees on the definition. Crossovers are car-based, rather than built on a truck-type platform. Though squarish in profile and higher off the ground than a regular passenger car, crossovers display driving characteristics—especially ride comfort and handling qualities—that mimic those of a compact sedan. Fuel economy beats that of conventional sport-utility vehicles. Still, many of these vehicles are considered crossovers in some quarters, but dubbed compact SUVs by others.

The Competition

2008 Honda CR-V

Whatever term is preferred, for this comparison we've selected two of the most popular models in this somewhat crowded category, plus a third that's joined the ranks for 2008. Honda introduced the CR-V (shown here) as a 1997 model, giving it a massive restyling for 2007. Toyota launched its first RAV4 for 1996 and redesigned it for the 2006 season, adding some 14 inches to overall length to make room for available three-row seating. Nissan had been absent from the group until September 2007, when the brand-new Rogue went on sale.


Each of the three comes with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Honda calls its system Real Time 4WD. None is equipped with any sort of low-range gearing, so even the AWD models are ill-prepared for any sort of off-road motoring. All-wheel drive's benefits are more limited to operation on slippery highway surfaces than to treks away from the pavement.


Dimensions are similar. Nissan's Rogue is the longest of the three, at 182.9 inches, but not by much. Its 105.9-inch wheelbase is 2.8 inches longer than the CR-V's, and 1.2 inches greater than the RAV4's. Width and height also are similar, though the tallest version of the RAV4 tops its rivals by 3 inches. Though these crossovers aren't particularly tall, Honda and Toyota offer optional side steps to ease entry/exit.

Engines, Transmissions, and Mileage

2008 Nissan Rogue

All three models hold a four-cylinder engine, rated at 166 horsepower (170 for the Rogue (shown here), dipping to 167 for California versions). Only the RAV4 has a V-6 option: a 3.5-liter six-cylinder that delivers 269 horsepower. Manual gearboxes are not available. The CR-V uses a five-speed automatic transmission. So does the RAV4 with a V-6 engine, but the four-cylinder RAV4 uses a four-speed unit. Rogue connects a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which has no conventional gears, to its engine.