Arriving for the 2003 model year, the first Murano was a styling innovation as the first crossover to thumb its nose at truck-like SUV styling and forge a path with softer, more luxury car-like lines while retaining the space and utility people sought in a crossover. The Murano was completely redesigned for 2025. It looks neither like its former model nor follows SUV conventions in the mid-size crossover class. It isn’t just looks either, as the model has been completely reimagined in the interior and under the hood.
The change in propulsion is huge, with the 3.5-liter V6 of the former model giving way to a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4. Nissan bestowed this engine with its proprietary variable compression technology, which allows high compression when the turbo boost is low. This keeps you from waiting for the turbo to spool up to have prompt power. It produces 241 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, which is channeled through a 9-speed transmission before sending power to either the front or all four wheels. All-wheel drive is available on the SV and standard on the SL and Platinum trims.
Add a completely redesigned interior with innovative technology, and you have a model fully prepared to carry its owners into the 2030s. How does the redesigned Murano stack against its closest competitors? Read on to find out. As new as it is, the Murano does not currently have official safety test results or MPG figures.
The first Toyota Highlander appeared as a 2001 model. Looking like a tall wagon, the Highlander has always focused more on on-road comfort than off-road capability. The current Highlander is nearing the end of its design cycle. It can be ordered with a small third-row seat but is usually purchased and used as a 5-seater. The Highlander is available with a hybrid drivetrain. Its non-hybrid drivetrain has a 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission. The non-hybrid model will be the focus of this comparison.
The Honda Passport is a shortened 5-passenger version of the brand’s third-generation 3-row Pilot model. It is one of the few models in this segment that retains a V6 engine. With standard AWD across the model line, Honda positions the Passport as their off-road adventure model, particularly with the TrailSport trim level. Its other trim levels are EX-L and Black Edition.
The Sorento is Kia’s mid-size crossover. It is the smaller of Kia’s two 3-row crossovers.
The current fourth-generation Sorento, released for the 2021 model year, is a significantly older design than the Murano. It is available with non-hybrid and hybrid drivetrains. The non-hybrid model that will be the basis of this comparison features a non-turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-4 engine. A turbocharged version of this engine is included two steps higher than the base model. The Sorento features eight trim levels. The base LX and higher SX trims are FWD only. S and EX trims have available AWD, and all four trims with their names starting with X-Line or X-Pro have standard AWD. The Sorento EX FWD provides the closest comparison model to the base Murano.
The Blazer was originally a 2-door V8-powered SUV built on a short full-size truck chassis designed for off-road driving. The model was discontinued in the 80s, but Chevrolet has revived the name for its mid-size crossover, which features a design rich in Camaro-inspired details in both the exterior and interior. The 5-seater is available with both a turbocharged 2.0 inline-4 engine like the Murano and non-turbocharged six-cylinder engines. The engines are paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and FWD on most models with AWD available. The LT with 3LT package represents a price comparable model to the base Murano.
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| Larger Two Row Crossovers | Toyota Highlander | Nissan Murano |
Honda Passport | Chevrolet Blazer | Kia Sorento |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trims | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 8 |
| Colors | 7 | 13 | 7 | 7 | 9 |
| Cylinders | 4 | 4 | 6 | 4, 6 | 4 |
| Engine | 2.4-liter Turbo | 2.0-liter Turbo | 3.5-liter | 2.0-liter Turbo 3.6-liter |
2.5-liter
2.5-liter Turbocharged
|
| Horsepower | 265 | 241 | 280 | 2.0L – 228 3.6L – 308 |
2.5L – 191
2.5T – 281
|
| Torque | 310 | 260 | 262 | 2.0L – 258 3.6L – 270 |
2.5L – 195
2.5T – 331
|
| Transmission | 8-speed auto | 9-speed auto | 9-speed auto | 9-speed auto | 8-speed auto |
| DriveTrain | FWD, AWD | AWD | AWD | FWD, AWD | FWD, AWD |
| Towing Capacity | 5,000 lbs | 1,500 lbs | 5,000 lbs | 4,500 lbs | 4,500 lbs |
| Fuel Economy (City/Hwy) | FWD – 22 / 29 AWD – 21 / 28 |
21 / 27 | 19 / 25 | FWD 2.0L – 22 / 29 FWD 3.6L – 19 / 26 2.0L AWD – 22 / 27 3.6L AWD – 18 / 26 |
2.5L FWD – 23 / 31
2.5L AWD – 23 / 28
2.5T FWD – 20 / 29
2.5T AWD – 20 / 27
|
| Infotainment | 8-inch, 12.3-inch | 12.3 inches | 8 inches | 10.2 inches | 12.3-inch |
| Front Headroom | W/O Moonroof – 41.2 With Moonroof – 39.6 With Panoramic – 38.4 |
W/O Moonroof – 41.1 With Moonroof – 39.4 |
39.5 | W/O Sunroof – 39.8 With Sunroof – 38 |
40.3 |
| Front Legroom | 42 | 44.3 | 40.9 | 41 | 41.4 |
| Rear Headroom | W/O Moonroof – 39.4 With Moonroof – 39.4 With Panoramic – 37.1 3rd Row – 36.1 |
W/O Moonroof – 39.7 With Moonroof – 37.9 |
40 | W/O Sunroof – 38.6 With Sunroof – 36.8 |
2nd Row – 39.1
3rd Row – 36.8
|
| Rear Legroom | 2nd Row – 38.7 3rd Row – 28 |
36.3 | 39.6 | 39.6 |
2nd Row – 41.7
3rd Row – 29.6
|
| Cargo Space Behind 3rd Row (if applicable) | 16 cu.ft. | N/A | N/A | N/A | 12.6 cu.ft. |
| Cargo Space Behind 2nd Row | 48.4 cu.ft. | 32.9 cu.ft. | 41.2 cu.ft. | 30.5 cu.ft. | 38.5 cu.ft. – 45 cu.ft. |
| Cargo Space Rear Seats Folded | 84.3 cu.ft. | 63.5 cu.ft. | 77.7 cu.ft. | 64.2 cu.ft. | 75.5 cu.ft |
| Base Price | $41,770 | $41,860 | $43,850 | $37,095 | $33,435 |
At Dick Smith Nissan of St. Andrews, you will have an automotive experience unlike any other. You can find new Nissan inventory, including the Rogue, Frontier, Kicks, Armada, Sentra, and an unmatched collection of used car, truck, van, SUV and crossover inventory at our dealership near you.
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