The Murano has been a staple in the Nissan lineup since it came to market as the brand's first-ever crossover SUV in 2003. Now, almost ten years since its last redesign, the Nissan Murano is all new for the 2025 model year. This five-passenger midsize crossover enters its fourth generation, carrying on the familiar formula of delivering a premium experience wrapped in a unique, possibly polarizing design.
Based on its size, the Murano resides in the Nissan lineup between the entry-level Rogue and three-row Pathfinder. However, its premium cabin and extensive feature list put its base price above the Pathfinder's. To properly experience the 2025 Nissan Murano, I spent the day behind the wheel of this updated crossover SUV.
Read our full 2025 Nissan Murano preview for more background and details.
Photo: Perry Stern
The 2025 Nissan Murano is available in three trim levels: SV, SL, and Platinum. All-wheel drive (AWD) is optional on the SV and standard on the rest of the lineup. Prices start at around $42,000 and range to around $51,000. According to Nissan, the 2025 Murano will arrive in dealer showrooms before the end of 2024.
For this review, Nissan invited me to Franklin, Tennessee (just outside of Nashville), covering my travel, lodging, and meals and providing me with a 2025 Murano Platinum. With no additional factory options, the manufacturer's suggested retail price was $50,990, including the $1,390 destination charge to ship the SUV from its assembly facility in Smyrna, Tennessee.
Photo: Perry Stern
The Nissan Murano receives an extreme makeover for the 2025 model year with an exterior look that easily stands out from the typical crossover. With its broad grille and slim LED headlights, the style resembles Nissan's electric Ariya. The integrated LED running lights in the grille create Nissan’s signature V-Motion design. A wider stance, higher ground clearance, sleek roof line, and available 21-inch wheels complete the bold new look.
With a clean, high-tech style, the Murano's interior is a significant upgrade compared to the outgoing version. The most noticeable change is the new horizontal-themed dashboard, further enhanced by the wide screen incorporating dual 12.3-inch displays for the gauge cluster and infotainment system.
Offering a taste of the future, climate functions appear as if projected onto the trim on the lower dashboard. The surface is smooth, but pressing one of the controls delivers a haptic response. Volume adjustment is the only primary function that uses a physical control, aside from the push-button gear selector in the center console.
With the center console free of a larger gear shift and most controls, good storage space is available. Two large cupholders and a storage cubby are within easy reach of the driver, as is the wireless phone charging pad. There's also an open space below the center console, ideal for a large bag or purse.
All versions of the 2025 Murano use Nissan's Zero Gravity seats in both front and back. Nissan claims NASA inspired the design, which sounds like a gimmick, but they are among the most comfortable seats I've experienced, especially after a long drive. My Platinum test vehicle featured seats trimmed in semi-aniline leather with heating, cooling, and massage functions, adding to the premium vibe of the cabin.
Rear seats have slightly less legroom than the outgoing version, but the space is still good, with enough room for two adults to ride comfortably. Heated outboard seats are standard on the Platinum trim, and dual USB ports are there to keep devices charged.
While the new Murano feels more upscale than its predecessor, it still delivers the utility expected of a crossover SUV. The wide cargo hatch opening reveals ample space for multiple suitcases or grocery bags. There's 32.9 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, expanding to 63.5 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Murano can tow up to 1,500 pounds if additional utility is needed.
Photo: Perry Stern
Every 2025 Nissan Murano has an extensive collection of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in the brand's Safety Shield 360 package. In addition to the expected automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and high-beam headlight assist, the Murano gets adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, rear cross-traffic warning with automatic rear braking, and lane centering assistance.
Also standard on every 2025 Murano is ProPilot Assist, Nissan's semi-autonomous driver aid. The system uses adaptive cruise control and lane centering to assist on certain limited access highways. Higher trims upgrade to ProPilot Assist 1.1, which taps into GPS data to read the route ahead and slow the vehicle when approaching curves in the road.
While driving on I-840 south of Franklin, I set the adaptive cruise control to 70 mph and pressed the ProPilot Assist button on the steering wheel. A green steering wheel appeared on the driver's display to let me know the system was functioning.
It’s important to note that ProPilot Assist is not a hands-free driving system. However, it works well to alleviate driving stress, providing steering input to keep the vehicle centered in the lane while maintaining speed and distance from the car ahead. Nissan does offer a more advanced version of ProPilot Assist with hands-free driving, but it isn't available yet on the Murano.
The new Murano also offers low speed driving assistance through its new enhanced surround view camera with 3D capability. Not only does this provide a bird's eye view of the Murano, but it has eight different vantage points from which the driver can choose, showing a clear view of the vehicle and its placement. This system is ideal for maneuvering through tight spaces or parking in hard-to-see spots. Nissan also offers Invisible Hood View, which lets the driver “see” through to the front tires via the central display.
While the base-level Murano’s infotainment system carries over from the 2024 model, the SL and Platinum have a new Google-based system, dramatically improving over the previous version. Navigating the menus is intuitive, and I like the large, easy-to-see icons. The system includes Google Maps and Google Assistant; additional apps are available to download from the Google Play Store. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all trims and have wireless connections.
Photo: Perry Stern
For the 2025 model year, the Murano features a 2.0-liter variable-compression turbocharged (VC-Turbo) four-cylinder engine that produces 241 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission is standard and is a nice improvement over the previous generation's continuously variable automatic transmission. The new engine has 19 fewer horsepower than the V6 it replaces, but with increased torque, there never seemed to be a situation where power was lacking.
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the 2025 Nissan Murano will achieve 23 mpg combined with front-wheel drive or AWD. My experience fits these figures, as the trip computer indicated 22 mpg during my drive in the Murano Platinum AWD.
The new Murano is heavier than its predecessor but delivers reasonable acceleration. There's a satisfying push into the seat when taking off from a stoplight, and there's more than enough power to safely pass slower vehicles on a two-lane road quickly.
Handling is reasonable, with good steering feedback, and the ride is smooth and comfortable. While the Murano delivers a confident ride in most situations, I found the added weight was noticeable when driving more aggressively on the twisty back roads around Franklin. I needed to slow the vehicle down to negotiate the tight corners safely.
The Murano may not be sporty, but it makes a great highway cruiser. The suspension absorbs any rough spots in the road. However, there is a fair amount of road noise at 70 mph. Sitting in the comfy Zero Gravity driver’s seat with ProPilot Assist operating and tunes playing on the Bose premium audio system, I realized that the Murano makes a great road trip vehicle.
With its 2025 redesign, the Nissan Murano continues on the path it started down more than 20 years ago, delivering a premium experience wrapped in a cutting-edge design that people will either love or hate.
With significant upgrades in its powertrain, technology, and features, as well as its comfortable, roomy cabin, the new fourth generation Murano has much to offer in the five-passenger crossover market. I expect the 2025 Nissan Murano to be more competitive with rivals like the Chevrolet Blazer, Honda Passport, Mazda CX-50, and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport.
Perry Stern has worked in the automotive industry for over 30 years and has always been a car enthusiast. Driving almost every new car on the market, Perry has written for multiple publications in addition to his work for JDPower.com. Recently relocated to southeast Michigan, Perry is still crazy about cars, especially his 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
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