2025 Nissan Murano First Drive Review: Is ‘More’ Enough?

The Nissan Murano is all-new this yr, marking the fourth technology of this upscale crossover. The Murano has seating for 5 folks with a sexy and properly appointed inside. This new technology additional elevates the Murano’s enchantment with obtainable ventilated and massaging entrance seats, two 12.3-inch show screens, and upgraded applied sciences that embrace a singular invisible hood view and ProPilot Help. Manufacturing has already began at Nissan’s Smyrna, Tennessee plant with deliveries anticipated early subsequent yr – and a brand new SUV is necessary to Nissan proper now, given its present state of affairs.

It is all about premium within the Murano, with extra type and extra options than you may discover within the Nissan Rogue and even the well-equipped Pathfinder. Certain, there’s the flexibility of a crossover to handle folks or cargo relying in your wants of the second, however the Murano makes folks the precedence. The elegant, minimalist inside is designed to be a refuge from the world with loads of creature comforts to maintain you snug. This yr’s upgrades transfer the Murano additional into premium territory with the appears to be like, consolation, and options to enchantment to extra discerning drivers. This is our ideas.

First Drive occasions present our preliminary impressions of a car in a restricted surroundings underneath sure time constraints. Regulate DrivingOnRoad for our complete Take a look at Drive evaluation which is able to comply with quickly.

What’s Modified For This Mannequin 12 months?

Slightly than merely a refresh, that is an all-new Murano, so there are adjustments in all places. It will get a brand new exterior look that’s sleeker with obtainable 21-inch wheels on the Platinum trim. The inside can also be new with upgraded facilities together with ventilated and massaging entrance seats together with a totally featured infotainment system and 64-color ambient lighting. One other large change is the powertrain. Nissan ditches the outdated V6 engine and its constantly variable automated transmission in favor of a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder paired to a 9-speed automated.

Exterior Seems to be: Completely Fashionable Replace

The final technology of the Murano seemed good when it was launched again in 2015, however 10 years later it was in determined want of an replace, and Nissan delivered. It grows wider by 2.6 inches, which makes a daring impression, particularly from the again. The brand new tailgate hides the rear wiper and exhaust suggestions making it look clear and trendy. Up entrance, daytime working lights within the grille showcase the newest interpretation of the Nissan V-motion design and new LED headlights make a extra putting impression. The floating roof can also be gone, changed by a black roof that after once more helps make the Murano look glossy, trendy, and extra premium.

Inside: Expertise Zero Gravity

The inside of the Murano is markedly higher with elective heated, ventilated, and massaging entrance seats. There’s additionally 64-color ambient lighting together with an elective panoramic moonroof and three new inside themes. Nissan’s Zero Gravity seats, that are exceptionally snug on longer drives, make their approach to the rear seats for the primary time to make sure everybody rides in consolation. There’s additionally a putting inside end referred to as Murano Glass, that appears stunning and furthers the Murano’s premium aspirations.

It’s a cushty and roomy inside that simply accommodates 5 adults. The elevated width of this yr’s Murano makes the rear seats higher suited to a few, particularly those that are bigger. There’s additionally 1.5 inches of extra legroom because of thinner entrance seats. Tender contact surfaces abound to additional improve consolation with energetic noise-canceling that creates a serene expertise ultimate for dialog. The Murano goals to ship a bit extra in each approach, and it succeeds in each the way it appears to be like and the way it feels.

Infotainment: One Show With Two Screens

The Murano has a regular 12.3-inch infotainment display mounted alongside a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. It’s a pleasant giant display that makes following navigation simple and allows you to see info at a look to keep away from distraction. Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto hold litter to a minimal, as do the capacitive local weather controls. These are kind of hit and miss in our expertise and take a little bit of getting used to, however they’re higher than tucking the controls into the infotainment system. There may be nonetheless not less than a quantity knob together with an elective 10-speaker Bose audio system for a premium sound expertise.

Powertrain & Driving: Responsive But Enjoyable

The Murano is powered solely by a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine paired to a nine-speed automated transmission. This replaces a V6 that was paired to a constantly variable automated, which we don’t miss. There’s sadly no possibility for a hybrid, one thing that’s reportedly coming for the brand new Rogue. Regardless of a horsepower lower for the brand new Murano engine, torque is increased, and the brand new engine delivers sturdy although not aggressive acceleration. The brand new nine-speed is smoother and quieter than the outdated CVT, for a giant enchancment within the driving expertise.

The brand new energy plant is a extra responsive engine, but it surely’s not particularly highly effective. As an alternative, suppose extra refined and premium, which is precisely the expertise the Murano goals to ship. There’s a minimal quantity of engine noise to take care of the calm within the cabin and the brand new 9-speed merely does its job unnoticed within the background so passengers can chill out undisturbed.

Experience and Dealing with

The journey within the Murano is quiet and easy total with a suspension system that evens our tough street surfaces. Damaged pavement is basically unnoticed, however particularly uneven street surfaces ship a little bit of noise into the cabin. Dealing with is responsive with balanced steering that isn’t so sporty that its tiresome nor so relaxed that you just lose your reference to the street. The Murano is a superb freeway cruiser that responds properly to fast, high-speed maneuvers with equally good manners on nation roads.

Gasoline Economic system

The EPA-estimated gas economic system for the Murano is 23 mpg metropolis and 24 mpg freeway. It’s not unhealthy, but it surely falls wanting what you’ll discover in comparable fashions. The Honda CR-V does higher and provides a hybrid, as does the Toyota RAV4, which additionally has a plug-in hybrid possibility.

Verdict & Pricing: Up to date And Upscale

The Murano is obtainable in a variety of three well-equipped trims, beginning with the SV at $40,470, not together with $1,390 vacation spot. That is the one trim with front-wheel drive, however it is usually obtainable with all-wheel drive for an extra $1,000. The SL begins at $46,560 and the highest Platinum is available in at $49,600, maintaining the total lineup fairly priced.

The 2025 Nissan Murano will get updates that it enormously wanted to remain aggressive in a really crowded section. Its aim of being a extra premium possibility is achieved, particularly compared to the extra modest Rogue. It doesn’t have the identical sort of premium inside as, say, a Mazda CX-70, but it surely additionally is available in with a greater value. The refined inside, improved powertrain, and sleeker exterior styling mixed with good pricing give this two-row crossover a lot of enchantment. It is doubtless going to be an necessary mannequin for the model going ahead, and by chance, it does ship the products.