The 2025 Nissan Murano receives a substantial update, moving beyond its dated predecessor with a modern aesthetic, refined driving dynamics, and a more luxurious cabin. While built upon existing structural foundations, the fourth-generation Murano introduces a new powertrain and an upgraded interior experience. This refresh aims to reinvigorate its presence in the competitive mid-size SUV sector, offering improved comfort and technology, despite some performance trade-offs and unchanged fuel efficiency. The vehicle's advancements are a crucial step for Nissan in a continuously evolving automotive landscape.
Exterior Design and Chassis Evolution
The latest iteration of Nissan's mid-size SUV, the 2025 Murano, showcases a profound aesthetic transformation. It retains the underlying structure and chassis components of the previous model, yet its appearance is entirely revamped. Featuring flowing lines, distinctive lighting, a gracefully sloping roofline, and pronounced fenders, the new design successfully disguises its inherited architecture. The wheelbase and overall length largely mirror those of its forerunner, but the vehicle's width has expanded by 2.6 inches, contributing to a broader stance. Riding on larger 20- or 21-inch wheels, the front and rear tracks are also 2.1 inches wider. Despite this increased footprint, skidpad performance has marginally decreased, recording 0.77 g compared to the previous model's 0.81 g, even with wider 255-millimeter Bridgestone Alenza Sport A/S tires.
Initial evaluations highlighted the Murano's controlled lateral movements, with the large 21-inch alloy wheels providing adequate damping on smooth surfaces, ensuring a comfortable ride. However, on less-than-perfect roads, the chassis response proved inconsistent, sometimes agreeable and at other times struggling with the larger wheels. A significant improvement comes from the steering system, which replaces the former hydraulically assisted unit with a more advanced, electronically assisted setup. This enhancement provides notably better feedback and precision, responding effectively to driver input around corners. Under the hood, the continuously variable automatic transmission has been replaced by a nine-speed automatic, paired with a 2.0-liter VC-Turbo four-cylinder engine. This new engine delivers 241 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, a slight reduction in horsepower but an increase in torque compared to the previous V-6. The 0-60 mph acceleration time is now 7.2 seconds, two-tenths quicker, and the quarter-mile time is 15.7 seconds at 92 mph, matching its predecessor. However, the 50-70 mph passing test reveals a notable delay, taking 5.9 seconds, a full second longer, as the variable compression and displacement systems adjust and the turbo spools up. Despite these changes, the EPA-estimated combined fuel economy remains at 23 mpg.
Interior Enhancements and Market Positioning
The interior of the 2025 Nissan Murano has been significantly upgraded to offer a more inviting and premium experience. Nissan has dedicated considerable effort to designing exceptionally comfortable seating, and the results are evident. The Platinum trim, priced at $51,095, features heated, ventilated, and massaging chairs that are notably plush and supportive. This top-tier trim also includes a head-up display, heated rear seats, and the aforementioned 21-inch wheels. Enhanced forward visibility is achieved through slimmer A-pillars and innovative sail windows. In the Platinum model, occupants will notice an abundance of soft-touch materials, including a leather-wrapped dashboard that elevates the cabin's perceived quality beyond that of some competitors. The front seats' lower H-point contributes to increased headroom, and the wider body expands the cabin's spaciousness. With the optional moonroof, the front row benefits from an impressive eight cubic feet of additional passenger volume, ensuring ample room for all occupants.
Opting for the $48,055 SL trim, which comes with 20-inch wheels, remains a sensible choice, offering a wealth of standard features. These include a 360-degree camera system, a 10-speaker Bose audio system, a panoramic sunroof, a heated steering wheel, and a customizable ambient lighting system with 64 color options. The front-wheel-drive SV variant has been discontinued for 2026, though a 2025 model might still be available at dealerships starting at $41,965. Across all Murano models, the infotainment system is standardized with dual 12.3-inch displays for instrumentation and infotainment, complete with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Although it has taken Nissan some time to introduce these comprehensive updates, the 2025 Murano's overall improvements make it a much stronger contender in the highly competitive mid-size SUV segment. While it may not resolve all of Nissan's broader sales challenges, this refreshed model represents a crucial forward progression for the brand.