Where does the new Nissan Murano fit among the Kicks, Rogue, Pathfinder, Ariya and Armada?

When Nissan reached out about the redesigned 2025 Murano, we had to admit something a little embarrassing. We’d kind of forgotten the Murano still existed. However, that quickly changed after seeing it at the 2025 Utah Auto Expo. 

The new design caught our eye right away, and after spending a week with it, we can confidently say the Murano’s styling is its most compelling asset. If you’re someone who shops with your eyes first, this SUV will absolutely draw you in.

Here are just a few things to know about the new Murano, as well as how it compares with the rest of the current Nissan SUV lineup.

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Photo courtesy Nissan

A stylish step forward

Let’s get this out of the way up front: Nissan nailed the exterior design. No, it’s not boxy or aggressive, but boy, from the bold front end to the flowing side profile and sculpted rear, it has real road presence. Several strangers complimented the Murano during our week behind the wheel. “What is that?” they’d ask. “It looks great.” And we’d agree — it really does. There’s even a bit of Ariya DNA here, and that’s a good thing. 

Inside, the Murano continues the trend. The interior is airy, modern and nicely trimmed with quality materials. We loved the metallic green accent panel on the dash that changes hues depending on the light. It’s a small touch, but it adds character.

Both front and rear seats offer generous space, with rear legroom coming in at 38.7 inches — plenty for two full-size adults. Up front, there’s nearly 41 inches of legroom and more than 55 inches of shoulder room, so it never feels cramped. The cargo capacity is a usable 31.1 cubic feet behind the second row and 64.4 cubic feet with the seats folded.

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Photo courtesy Nissan

One of the most compelling aspects of the new Murano is its premium paint selection, which helps it stand out in a crowded segment. Nissan offers several rich and expressive color options, including Aurora Blue Metallic, Scarlet Ember Tintcoat and Everest White TriCoat — each available for an additional $450.

For those wanting an even more upscale look, there are two-tone combinations including Deep Ocean Blue Pearl with Super Black, or Boulder Gray Pearl with Super Black, which range from $550 to $1,000.

Our tester wore one of the two-tone finishes, Aurora Blue Metallic, and it turned heads all week. Someone even said, “That’s the best color I’ve ever seen.” It’s legitimately impressive. Nissan deserves credit for offering such a broad and stylish range of paint options.

In other words, if comfort and cabin style are high on your list, the Murano delivers.

Photo courtesy Nissan

The drive: smooth, but not spirited

Under the hood, the Murano features a new-to-the-Murano 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and standard front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is also available, as it was on our Platinum tester. On paper, this setup appears suitable for a midsize crossover, but in real-world driving, it felt underwhelming.

Acceleration was sluggish and the transmission frequently hunted for gears, making the whole experience feel less confident than we’d like. In fact, the drivetrain sometimes mimicked the behavior of a continuously variable transmission rather than a traditional automatic.

Fuel economy also fell short of expectations. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates 27 mpg on the highway and 23 mpg in combined driving. In our week of testing — including suburban commutes and a short freeway trip — we averaged between 15.5 and 22 mpg. For a new engine designed with efficiency in mind, it was disappointing.

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Photo courtesy Nissan

Comfort and tech: mixed results

The Murano strives for serenity, and it does a good job of isolating you from the road. Some will appreciate the calm ride, but we felt disconnected from the driving experience. The steering lacked feedback, and we often felt like a passive passenger rather than the one in control.

One interesting design choice is Nissan’s use of haptic touch buttons integrated across the dash, a trend borrowed from the Ariya. They look sleek, but in practice, they’re finicky to use. Adjusting the fan speed or temperature often required more effort and concentration than it should have. We’d trade these in a heartbeat for simple physical buttons.

The infotainment system is split across two screens disguised as one. While the layout looks nice, Bluetooth connectivity proved frustrating. We had to manually reconnect the phone every time we got in, which felt clunky for a modern vehicle. Other small quirks — such as a stiff sun visor and slow-heating seats — further added to the sense that refinement could be improved.

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Photo courtesy Nissan

Where the Murano fits in Nissan’s SUV lineup

The Murano sits squarely in the middle of Nissan’s SUV lineup — larger and more premium than the Rogue, but smaller and more style focused than the three-row Pathfinder and extra large, family hauling Armada. It offers two rows of seating and a more upscale design than its siblings, making it a more design and comfort oriented alternative in a segment where practicality usually leads the way.

Nissan positions the Murano as a near luxury option for shoppers who don’t need a third row but still want presence, space and features. To that end, we think it succeeds.

Photo courtesy Nissan

Value and verdict

Our Platinum test vehicle rang in at about $53,000, which feels steep considering the driving dynamics and tech experience. Yes, it’s comfortable. Yes, it looks great. But in a competitive midsize SUV market, the Murano faces stiff competition.

That said, we genuinely hope Nissan finds success with this updated Murano. We see where it’s going — style, comfort and elegance — and in many ways, it hit that mark. If you’re a buyer who prioritizes appearance and interior space above performance or tech, this could be a great fit. If “Energetic Elegance” is the goal, Nissan definitely nailed the elegance part. The energy? That may need a little more tuning.

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*KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.