2023 Nissan Murano

　　

2023 Nissan Murano Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　, rating written byCameron RogersSenior Manager, Written Content

　　Brent Romans has worked in the automotive industry since 1996. He has written or edited thousands of expert car reviews and road-tested hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Brent is a senior manager of written content at zzdcar and previously contributed to publications such as Super Street and Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road. His personal car is a 2019 BMW M2 Competition, which he bought for its ideal combination of performance, style and practicality.

　　A stalwart of Nissan's lineup since 2003, the midsize Murano has always offered its own bold style and comfortable seating for five. The current generation has been around since 2015, and typical vehicle life spans indicate it should have been redesigned by now. But the Murano soldiers on mostly unchanged from last year, and with no hint of a new model in the works it seems that Nissan will simply keep cranking out its aging SUV.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Nissan Murano S 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$162/mo  for Murano S

　　Murano S

　　S 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl CVT) - $34,160 MSRPS 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl CVT) - $35,860 MSRPSV 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl CVT) (Most Popular) - $37,700 MSRPSV 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl CVT) - $39,400 MSRPSL 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl CVT) - $41,660 MSRPSL 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl CVT) - $43,360 MSRPPlatinum 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl CVT) - $45,710 MSRPPlatinum 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl CVT) - $47,410 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　With the impressive redesigns of the smaller Rogue, larger Pathfinder as well as the similarly sized fully electric Ariya, the Murano not only feels dated but looks it as well. The smaller Rogue now offers just as much legroom as the larger Murano as well as offering even more cargo capacity (go figure) as well as a more modern interior with a better tech interface. And on the larger side, the Pathfinder provides buyers with three rows of seating, an impressive towing capacity and, like the Rogue, Nissan's most up-to-date interior. As for the Ariya, it's nearly the same size as the Murano, and though more expensive, it puts a much more modern foot forward for Nissan.

　　The Murano is still a good value in its segment, but without a complete redesign it will continue to lose more ground to a bevy of newer rivals that include the Hyundai Santa Fe, Honda Passport and Toyota Venza.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Below Average

　　7.1

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.0/10

　　How does the Murano drive? The standard 3.5-liter V6 engine packs enough power for typical daily driving, delivering good acceleration when called upon. It's helped by a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that's better than the industry average. Consistent, reliable power is delivered to the road without noticeable gear changes except under hard acceleration.

　　The Murano's driving dynamics are generally positive as well. The speed-sensitive steering aids stability, and the Murano handles increased speeds around corners better than many midsize SUVs. You really have to jam on the brakes to deliver maximum stopping power, but otherwise the pedal feel is consistent and actual braking performance is adequate.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Murano? The Murano's front and rear seats are plush and supportive in all the right spots, providing the exact comfort you want on long drives. Dual-zone climate control is standard and has hard-working yet quiet air conditioning. You might even find yourself dialing the system back. The heated and cooled seat features are powerful, though seat ventilation is only available on the top Platinum trim.

　　Again, the CVT automatic doesn't compromise the Murano as much as similar transmissions do in other vehicles. There's no droning sound inside the cabin and it makes a pleasing noise at full throttle. The ride quality could be smoother, but we suspect the culprit was the 20-inch wheels on top trim levels.

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