The Nissan Rogue has always been affordable, but it never gave shoppers much reason to pick it over the competition. A full hybrid redesign changes that. Edmunds put the new 2027 Rogue Hybrid up against two class favorites, the Toyota RAV4 and the Kia Sportage Hybrid, and the results shook up the usual order.

• The Kia Sportage Hybrid won with an 8.6 rating, thanks to strong value and the roomiest cabin of the three.
• The redesigned Nissan Rogue Hybrid took second at 8.2, with the quickest 0-to-60 time and 42.2 mpg in real-world testing.
• The Toyota RAV4 finished third at 8.1, losing points for a noisy cabin, firm seats and the highest as-tested price.

Edmunds ranks more than 20 small SUVs, and the old gas-only Rogue sat near the bottom of that list.

The test used well-equipped versions of all three, priced as tested:

• Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige: $41,985
• Nissan Rogue Hybrid SR with Technology package: $44,535
• Toyota RAV4 Limited: $46,683

If your search started as a RAV4 vs. CR-V debate, this matchup is a good reason to add more names to your list.

Toyota RAV4 Settles for Third

Third place for the RAV4 is a bit of a shock. Edmunds brought a top-trim Limited to match the other two, which pushed the Toyota’s price well above the others.

The RAV4 still offers great outward visibility and endless cubbies, shelves and bins. The hybrid powertrain feels punchy, the brakes are well tuned, and a dashcam is standard.

The trouble is refinement. The cabin is louder, especially on the highway, and the ride is less smooth than its rivals’. The seats are too firm in both rows, and materials and design trail the other two. Edmunds still recommends the RAV4. It just likes these two more.

Nissan Rogue Hybrid Makes a Huge Leap

Beating the RAV4 proves the Rogue’s redesign worked. The big change is Nissan’s E-Power system: a turbocharged three-cylinder engine charges a battery, and two electric motors drive the wheels, so all-wheel drive is standard.

It was the quickest here, but the quiet stands out most. The gas engine stays off as much as possible, keeping the cabin calm around town. Its one-pedal driving mode, the only one here, makes it feel like an EV. On a 170-mile loop using the EPA’s city and highway split, it returned 42.2 mpg.

Inside, a larger 14.3-inch touchscreen runs Google built-in apps, including Google Maps and Google’s voice assistant with optional Gemini, a big step up from Nissan’s old setup. The seats are softer and more supportive than the RAV4’s.

The catches: the back seat and cargo area are smaller than the Kia’s or even the Honda CR-V’s, though rear doors that open almost 90 degrees ease car seat installs. And for $44,535, the test SUV lacked a power passenger seat and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Even so, the Rogue jumped from 15th to third in Edmunds’ compact SUV rankings.

Why the Kia Sportage Hybrid Came Out on Top

Value is the Kia’s strongest argument. It has the group’s longest warranty, at 5 years or 60,000 miles of basic coverage. The loaded SX Prestige was the cheapest here, yet its cabin felt nicer than the RAV4’s and matched it feature for feature.

It’s also the roomiest, with a spacious back seat and nearly 40 cubic feet of trunk space. The Rogue’s rear seats feel plusher, but the Sportage offers extra recline settings. It also has the smoothest highway ride and enough power to feel peppy.

The weak spots are the controls and fuel economy. A short touchscreen below the main display switches between climate and media functions, and even the knobs change jobs, so you have to glance down first. The Sportage is also rated at just 35 mpg combined, though its lower price helps.

Start With the Sportage, Then Drive the Rogue

All three scored in the 8s, which Edmunds considers excellent. The Sportage Hybrid is the best all-around pick, especially if space matters most. If you can live with less room, test drive the Rogue Hybrid; the way it drives sets it apart. And the RAV4 is still solid if you want clever storage and a standard dashcam.