2020 Nissan Murano Review: Looks Aren't Everything

While it may only be five years old, the Nissan Murano feels far more dated than it should. Everything about it feels like a carry-over from the previous generation, with the same platform and powertrain forming the basis of the mid-size crossover. That's not to say the V6 is inadequate, it offers a decent 260 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque, but it's not going to blow you away any more than it did ten years ago. Nevertheless, Nissan has made some effort to keep the Murano SUV current with competitors, refreshing its styling and adding a few gadgets here and there, such as smartphone integration and advanced driver-assistance features, but at a hefty starting price of $31,530, we expect a bit more. Sure the car looks good, but the quality is only skin deep, and its utility is dwarfed by smaller, more affordable compact SUVs like its sibling Rogue or the eminently capable Honda CR-V. Overall, the Nissan Murano's reach exceeds its grasp.

What's the Price of the 2020 Nissan Murano?

Nissan is certainly marketing the Murano as more of a near-luxury SUV than an entry-level family crossover, with the latest Nissan Murano price tag being several thousand dollars above similarly appointed rivals like the Honda CR-V. The entry-level S already breaks the $30k mark with a starting MSRP of $31,530. Tacking on a few extra features and a lot more safety features, the SV pushes this price up to $35,160. Moving even more towards the luxury end of the spectrum, the SL bumps the price by an extra $4,520, while the top-of-the-range Platinum asks for a hefty $43,730. Swapping out the front-wheel drivetrain for an all-wheel one adds an extra $1,600 to the bill. These prices exclude tax, registration, licensing, and Nissan's destination charge of $1,095.

2020 Murano Exterior

Dimensions

2020 Murano Performance

Handling and Driving Impressions

The Murano definitely feels like it should be a comfortable daily driver, first and foremost, but Nissan seems to have had different ideas when designing the crossover. Vehicles like the Murano should have the light steering expected from an SUV meant for town driving. Instead, it's obnoxiously heavy, giving the sense that the Murano wants to deliver a sporty, engaging driving experience. It does lighten up once you get going, but since you'll be spending most of your time maneuvering the bulky vehicle around cramped spaces in town, this will likely become tedious very quickly.

While it may not handle all that well, the Nissan has a very capable suspension that soaks up road imperfections well; that being said, we wouldn't take it off-road. Paired with the comfortable seats, this delivers a smooth ride that helps the Murano feel like the budget luxury SUV it could be with a little more refinement. Road and wind noise are well-dampened by the cabin, but the growls of the V6 engine sometimes filter through.

At the end of the day, the Nissan Murano isn't unpleasant to drive, but it's not exciting or relaxing either. It tries to be too many things, and fails to do any of them well.

2020 Murano Interior

2020 Murano Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

Verdict: Is the Nissan Murano A Good SUV?

The SUV market is becoming more saturated by the year, and mid-size crossovers are particularly popular in the US market as they affordably combine utility with modern amenities and safety features. Or at least, that's what we expect them to do.

The Nissan Murano is a car that focuses a little too hard in areas that don't really matter to the average buyer, with handsome but cumbersome exterior styling cues and excessive focus on interior comfort at the cost of function. Immediate rivals like the Ford Edge offer a more spacious interior with a larger cargo area, while even compact SUVs like the Honda CR-V can haul more with less fuss. And while the Murano may offer most of the tech features you'd expect on a modern crossover, its rivals have more up-to-date systems that do the job better without launching their price up to the same $31.5k mark as the entry-level Murano S.

Nissan simply hasn't made the right amount of effort to keep its mid-size entry competitive in the market, and keeps it out of reach of many buyers by trying to make the SUV look better than it actually is. If you are a Nissan loyalist, the Rogue is a more practical crossover, but there are even better options out there even at a lower cost than the Nissan Murano that are worthy of a test drive.

What Nissan Murano Model Should I Buy?

The Murano is not an SUV you pick because of how much financial sense it makes; there are many options in the USA that offer similar feature sets, and competitive performance and utility for a much lower price. No, Nissan has marketed this particular model as a near-luxury crossover. As such, we recommended you go for broke and get the most luxurious Nissan Murano model, the Platinum. It gets all the advanced driver-assistance features the range has to offer, as well as upper-tier comfort features like heated front and rear seats, comfy quilted leather upholstery, and the high-quality 11-speaker Bose premium sound system.

2020 Nissan Murano Comparisons

2020 Nissan Murano vs Nissan Rogue

While not technically positioned within the same segment as the Murano, the Nissan Rogue definitely presents itself as a potential rival. The compact crossover supplies competitive interior space, with quite a bit more trunk volume than its larger sibling. Obviously, the Rogue doesn't have the same luxury aspirations as the Murano, so its interior isn't quite so plush, but it gets most of the same features, although the Rogue's tech is slightly more up-to-date. The Murano's V6 is more potent than the Rogue's four-pot, which only puts out 170 hp and 175 lb-ft, but the smaller crossover boasts much better fuel economy to complement its lower price tag. In terms of value for money, the Rogue is the clear winner between the two Nissan SUVs.

2020 Nissan Murano vs Ford Edge

The Ford Edge is a more direct segment competitor to the Nissan Murano, with similar outputs of 250 hp and 275 hp from its turbocharged four-cylinder engine, although it offers a more potent turbocharged V6 that develops 335 hp and 380 lb-ft. Both mid-size crossovers make the 0-60 mph sprint in about seven and a half seconds, but the Ford Edge can do it faster when equipped with an all-wheel drivetrain. The Ford is a bit bigger inside, though, with extra cargo space and a more refined infotainment suite to boot. Despite not having the steady power outputs of a capable V6, the Edge is still the better driver, with more city- and highway-friendly handling dynamics. With a lower starting price, better utility, and even more competitive fuel consumption estimates, the Ford Edge definitely has the edge in this comparison.