2023 Nissan Murano by KBB.com

The 2023 Nissan Murano is a 2-row midsize SUV that combines bold style with a rich interior. Pricing starts at $33,600.

Many midsize 2-row SUVs tend to blend together, but the Nissan Murano is a stylish standout. It doesn’t look like anything else on the road and has one of the nicest interiors in its class. The cabin has a design that’s almost as unique as the exterior, while the comfortable seats, premium materials, and modern tech features make it feel almost like a luxury SUV. As long as you don’t need 3-row seating or a ton of cargo space, the Murano is an interesting choice in the midsize SUV segment. It competes with the likes of the Ford Edge and Hyundai Santa Fe.

The Nissan Murano starts at $33,600 for the S trim, $37,200 for the SV model, $41,160 for the SL trim, and $45,210 for the top Platinum trim. AWD is a $1,700 option on every trim.

The pricing of the Murano is about average for a midsize 2-row SUV. It’s priced similarly to the Chevrolet Blazer and Ford Edge, while the Hyundai Santa Fe is a bit more affordable.

Driving the Nissan Murano is a pleasant experience. You’ll probably be disappointed if you’re expecting rip-roaring thrills or sports car-like agility. The quiet cabin and compliant suspension deliver a relaxed ride, and the standard V6 has more than enough grunt for the daily drive while returning respectable fuel economy.

The continuously variable transmission (CVT) in the Murano is a bit unrefined. It sometimes lags in delivering power from the engine to the wheels and tends to drone under hard acceleration. The power delivery is a bit more balanced if you opt for all-wheel drive (AWD), which also makes the Murano more suitable for snowy roads.

The interior is a strong suit of the Nissan Murano. It has two roomy rows of seats and enough rear-seat legroom to accommodate adults comfortably. The materials are nice for the money, especially in the SL and Platinum trims.

A generous list of standard interior features includes an Advanced Drive-Assist display in the gauge cluster, a type-A and type-C USB port, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a rear seat belt reminder.

The Nissan Murano has eye-catching styling that makes it stand out in traffic. With its unique body lines and light signature, the Murano makes a fashion statement and doesn’t look like the average SUV. The look changes a bit with each trim with different wheel designs, and there’s a stylish Midnight Edition with black accents and wheels.

As for the size, the Murano is slotted between the Rogue and the Pathfinder in the Nissan lineup. Its dimensions are similar to the Ford Edge, Chevrolet Blazer, and Hyundai Santa Fe.

1. Strong and efficient V6
The V6 that powers every Nissan Murano is well-suited to this SUV. It makes 260 horsepower and returns up to 28 mpg on the highway.

2. Great safety and reliability scores
The Nissan Murano is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, and it earns a “Great” quality and reliability rating from J.D. Power. If you prioritize safety and reliability, the Murano delivers both in spades.

3. NissanConnect infotainment system
The standard NissanConnect infotainment system is an 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM, and Siri Eyes Free. You get navigation and Bose 11-speaker premium audio in the SL and Platinum trims.

4. Nissan Safety Shield 360
The standard Nissan Safety Shield 360 safety tech suite combines desirable driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and more.

5. Luxurious Platinum trim
The top Platinum trim of the Nissan Murano rivals some luxury SUVs. It’s loaded with premium features like semi-aniline leather seats with diamond-quilted inserts, heated and cooled front seats, a panoramic moonroof, and stylish 20-inch wheels.

6. Zero Gravity seats
The comfortable seats in the Nissan Murano are carefully designed to reduce fatigue on long drives. The upper trims feel more luxurious thanks to genuine leather seating.

All Nissan Murano models use a 3.5-liter V6 engine. With 260 horsepower under the hood, the Murano delivers satisfying performance with brisk acceleration and plenty of highway passing power.

Power is routed to the wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard and all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional. The Murano achieves a combined 23 mpg rating with both FWD and AWD.

A disappointing spec worth noting is the maximum tow rating of only 1,500 pounds. That said, this isn’t an issue if you’ll never do any towing.

3.5-liter V6
260 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
240 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/28 mpg

-TJ