2025 Nissan Murano

Test Vehicle:

2025 Nissan Murano Platinum

Powertrain: 2.0L DOHC 16-Valve Turbocharged 4-cylinder

Exterior Color: Champagne Silver

Interior Color: Charcoal

Options: Premium Paint ($425)

MSRP as tested: $51,415 (With Destination & Delivery)

Pros: Premium interior, Modern styling, Comfortable seats, Improved powertrain

Cons: Haptic controls, Single powertrain offering, Tight rear seats, Average cargo

The Nissan Murano is a mid-size crossover manufactured since 2002 for the 2003 model year and was Nissan’s first crossover designed for North America. It launched with a bold, modern style that was attractive and different. For 2025, it enters its fourth generation with a fresh overhaul that is equally as bold, but more upscale in its overall style demeanor. Along with a new design and powertrain, the Murano adds ProPILOT Assist, Wireless mobile device connection, dual 12.3” displays, massaging seats, and much more. 

The Murano is available in three trims known as SV, SL, and Platinum. All models are powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that generates 241 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic is standard and either front or all-wheel drive is available depending on trim. The Murano has a max towing capacity of 1,500 pounds. Prices start at $40,470 for the SV, $46,560 for th SL, and $49,600 for the Platinum. The competition includes other 5-passenger mid-size crossovers such as the Chevrolet Blazer, Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda CX-70,Toyota Crown Signia, and Volkswagen Tiguan or Atlas Cross Sport. I spent a week in a Murano Platinum that checked in at $51,415 and here’s what stood out…

Exterior Style:

The  new exterior styling seems to draw inspiration from the Nissan Ariya EV, with shared design cues including the grille shape, lighting signature, and roofline treatment. The vehicle has grown by approximately 2.6 inches in width compared to the previous generation, giving it a more grounded and athletic stance. It’s also increased ground clearance to approximately 8.3 inches to give it more presence. The front fascia presents a modernized V‑Motion grille, housing ultra-slim Crystal Cube LED headlights seamlessly integrated into the grille’s horizontal trim. LED daytime running lights stretch across the width in a signature V‑shaped layout integrated into the grille.  A wide black trim bar stretches across the hood featuring the embossed “Murano” name and wraps the LED assembly. The break in the lighting / fascia  with the black strip feels disjointed to me personally, but most that I talked to like the look so it may be somewhat divisive in its style choice.

The side profile features a sleek floating-roof effect with a blacked-out roof pillar and chrome trim that creates a coupe-like roofline and curving silhouette. In the rear quarter panel the trim and body lines appear to intersect, creating a visual cross to further highlight its shape and add dimension. Either 20 or 21-inch alloy wheels are available to fill the larch arches with that are highlighted with character indentations. Around back, full-width LED taillights span the liftgate, paired with the rear wiper hidden under the spoiler and the license plate moved to the lower bumper for a cleaner, minimalist appearance. Exhaust outlets are concealed and the bumper features diffuser-like styling, enhancing the upscale aesthetic without sacrificing function or airflow . Overall, it’s a big change from the previous generation and looks more premium with integrated LED lighting and attention to details. While the design may polarize opinions—especially at the front—it clearly aims to reposition the Murano into more upscale territory. If you're drawn to distinctive, fashion-forward design, this Murano delivers. But if you prefer more traditional or brand-faithful styling, the front fascia could feel jarring.

Powertrain:

Under the hood is a turbocharged 2.0L four cylinder that pushes out 241 horsepower and 260 lb-ft. of torque. That’s a slight dip in horsepower from the previous generation’s 260 horsepower from a 3.5L V6. However, torque is up about 20 resulting in stronger low-end pull and better responsiveness around town. The new powertrain pairs with a 9-speed automatic transmission that shifts more naturally than the outgoing CVT and feels much more refined. There’s plenty of pep to get from 0-60MPH in around 7.5 seconds and decent enough for highway merging and passing. 

The Murano leans more toward comfort than agility. It's not sporty, but it's composed and well-suited for commuting or road trips. The cabin is well-insulated, creating a quiet ride at highway speeds with engine noise generally subdued. It comes with the various drive modes (normal, eco, and sport) that can be easily selected. FWD is standard on the SV while AWD is standard on the SL and Platinum. It uses Nissan’s Intelligent AWD, which is front-biased and automatically sends power to the rear wheels only when needed

Handling / Performance:

Steering is ultra-light and smooth thanks to the switch from hydraulic to electric power steering. It’s consistent and smooth but generally lacks feedback. Equipped with frequency-sensitive dampers, the suspension is retuned to smooth bumps and reduce body roll. Around sharp turns at speed, there is some noticeable body roll, and it doesn’t grp the road quite like the Mazda CX70.The ride is generally calm and refined, with good composure on highways and broken pavement. Nonetheless, larger wheel options like the 21” alloys on my test model do reveal more road noise over rough surfaces.

The 2025 Murano’s new VC-Turbo 2.0L engine and 9-speed auto are welcome improvements over the aging V6/CVT combo. It’s smoother, quieter, and more torque-rich than before. However, Nissan plays it safe—there’s no performance edge or hybrid innovation, and real-world MPG gains are minimal. For drivers who prioritize comfort, refinement, and daily drivability, the Murano delivers. But shoppers seeking more punch, efficiency, or trailering capacity might find more compelling options elsewhere.

ProPILOT Assist 

ProPILOT Assist is available beginning with the SV trim and provides adaptive cruise control with steering assist. SL and Platinum upgrade to ProPILOT Assist 1.1, which uses GPS data to adjust speed in anticipation of curves or speed limit changes. 

ProPILOT Assist is an intelligent cruise control that will identify your Murano's speed and location relevant to other vehicles at the touch of a button. ProPILOT Assist utilizes a forward-facing camera, forward-facing radar, sensors and an electronic control module to help the driver stay in the center of the driving lane and to maintain vehicle speed (set by the driver) and help maintain a preset distance to the preceding vehicle if the vehicle speed drops below the driver-set speed. 

The system will not only adjust speeds up & down amidst traffic but will also keep it centered in the lane between road markings. If road markings are non-existent or faded, the vehicle will notify the driver that this function is inactive. The system is easy to use via steering wheel controls, and the information is visible in the digital instrument cluster. The Murano seamlessly maintained appropriate distances and speeds while guiding the vehicle around turns (drivers are required to maintain hands on the steering wheel for it to function). Linking it was the navigation system allows the map to proactively reduce speed for upcoming freeway curves or junctions and help the driver slow for freeway exits.

Fuel Economy:

When it arrived with a full 18.7-gallon tank, it offered a driving range of around 430 miles. EPA estimates are 21 MPG city, 27 MPG highway, and 23 MPG combined which is typical for the midsize crossover class. After a week of primarily suburban driving, I averaged around 22 MPG.

Interior:

Hopping inside, the Murano’s relation to the electric Ariya is obvious.  You’re welcomed to a very clean, minimalistic dash layout with soft-touch surfaces and stitched materials. Base SV and SL get leatherette upholstery while the Platinum upgrades to semi-aniline quilted leather. At the forefront of the dash are connected dual 12.3” displays seamlessly housed under a leather hood to optimize visibility and reduce glare. It comes with 64-color ambient lighting settings, a push button gear selector, cubby storage, and an optional panoramic moonroof. The overall vibe is modern and luxurious. My wife thought we were driving an Infiniti rather than a Nissan. 

The Murano is a two-row SUV that seats five people. Synthetic leather upholstery and power-adjustable and heated front seats are standard. Semi-aniline leather upholstery, ventilated and massaging front seats, heated second-row outboard seats and a heated steering wheel are available. Seat comfort is extremely high thanks to Nissan’s Zero Gravity Seats which are designed to improve long-distance comfort and reduce fatigue using principles inspired by NASA research. These seats are engineered to replicate the natural posture the human body assumes in weightlessness. In zero gravity (like in space), the body naturally aligns in a position that minimizes stress on joints and muscles. 

Nissan translates this concept into seat design by:

• Optimizing seatback angle, cushion contour, and pelvic support
• Encouraging proper spinal alignment and even pressure distribution
• Reducing fatigue in the lower back, shoulders, and thighs

The seats feature a 14-pressure point system, low-fatigue seat foam, ergonomic back and thigh support and are integrated in both the front and rear. Outside of the comfortable seats, there is plenty of shoulder and leg room.  Driver’s seats include 10-way power adjustment and passenger seats have 6-way power adjustment. Rear seating offers ample elbow and shoulder space, though legroom and cushion support are moderate, and the center seat position remains constrained for adults.  

Overall, the interior is a huge win for the Murano. From the modern layout to the innovative and comfortable seats, it feels very premium.  Nissan has moved the Murano upscale into luxury-adjacent territory with an interior that is tough to beat in this class.

Technology:

Dual 12.3″ high-definition displays are standard across all trims, serving as a configurable digital instrument cluster and infotainment screen seamlessly integrated into the dashboard. All trims come standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Google Built-in is available on SL and Platinum models and incorporates native Google maps, assistant, play store and more through Nissan’s infotainment system.  Amazon Alexa Built‑In is also supported on higher trims for hands-free command, media control, and smart home access.  The Murano comes standard with a wireless charging pad and multiple USB-C ports throughout the cabin. The infotainment system is user-friendly and generally easy to navigate. I did have some trouble trying to get to the built-in seat controls to test out the massaging seat functions. Once learned, the system is fine. 

SV model includes a standard six‑speaker audio system; SL and Platinum trims upgrade to a Bose 10‑speaker premium setup for richer, clearer sound reproduction. A 3D Intelligent Around View Monitor enables 360° virtual camera views from eight vantage points around the vehicle which is very beneficial. Whether you’re navigating parking spots, backing out of the driveway, or watching out for children at school drop off, visibility is crystal clear thanks to these cameras.

Speaking of cameras, there is also an invisible hood view that provides a camera-based, virtual “see-through” view under the engine hood—ideal for spotting curbs or obstacles during close-quarters driving. Other technology enhancements include an available head-up display, capacitive touch climate controls, and voice recognition.

Safety 

The 2025 Murano earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+ status, thanks to Good ratings in updated moderate-overlap front, side, and small-overlap front crash tests; pedestrian crash prevention rated Superior; and standard headlights rated at least Acceptable. New  safety enhancements for 2025 include a passenger-side knee airbag, under-seat reinforcement, and seat belt pretensioners and load limiters for rear occupants.

Nissan Safety Shield 360 Driver Assistance is standard on all Muranos for 2025. Those features include Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Automatic Braking, High Beam Assist and Intelligent Cruise Control. Other available features include Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, Intelligent Lane Intervention and Blind Spot Intervention, Traffic Sign Recognition, and Driver Monitoring.

Final Statement

The 2025 Nissan Murano is an impressive all-around vehicle. It was on the verge of being forgotten about as the mid-size crossover segment has exploded with options. Nissan’s own Rogue has become a go to in that segment with the Murano sitting in a unique spot between the Rogue and Pathfinder. Regardless, the new Murano has moved upscale with both its exterior design and interior quality. Despite losing some power under the hood, the new powertrain is better suited to the Murano and an overall improvement. If you’re looking for something a little different that will impress others, go give this one a test drive!