2022 Nissan Murano Review: More Than A Pretty Face?
The Nissan Murano feels old. Then again, you would expect some signs of aging after six years on sale and yet, subjectively at least, it seems as if it has been around for far longer than that. It may have all of the modern luxury and safety kit, as well as a stunning, swooping exterior, but it can't hide its old bones. It's a pity, as the first Murano was quite a trendsetter. It was one of the first crossovers that felt like it had more to offer than a tall body and a squishy ride. It was fun. You would not have felt cheated upgrading from a hot hatch to a 2003 Murano.
The current Murano still uses the same formula, that being an SUV body, a relatively powerful V6 from a sports car, and a CVT transmission. But you drive it, and you just want… more, especially when rivals include popular midsize alternatives like the Toyota Venza and the Honda Passport.
2022 Murano Exterior
Dimensions
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 192.8 in | 111.2 in | 67.8 in | 75.4 in | 64.6 in | 64.6 in | 3,823.0 lbs |
2022 Murano Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
In terms of handling, the Murano has moved away from its predecessors. It's exceptionally good at soaking up bumps, but there's not even a hint of sportiness to be found. This is disappointing because the first Murano's main USP was its handling characteristics. It wasn't as soft as the current model, but the ride was perfectly acceptable. It was also an enjoyable thing to drive, being one of the first SUVs that handled well.
The current model is a mixed bag. It's comfortable and compliant, but the steering is devoid of feedback and quite weighty. Nissan tried to engineer too many characteristics into one car, and the result is a crossover that doesn't shine in any particular area. Together with the V6's only adequate outputs and the CVT's sometimes frustrating characteristics, the Murano isn't the most exciting vehicle to drive in its segment.
2022 Murano Interior
2022 Murano Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
| Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Years / 36,000 Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles | 5 Years / Unlimited Miles | 3 Years / 36,000 Miles |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
| Overall Rating | Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Side Crash Rating | Rollover Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Verdict: Is the 2022 Nissan Murano A Good SUV?
Back when it was brand-new and the market wasn't oversaturated with mid-size crossover and SUV offerings, the Murano was an excellent SUV. It was everything you could want from a vehicle, and it was good fun.
Somewhere along the way, Nissan strayed from the formula. The Murano is a car that became more about interior comfort, a perfectly acceptable route to follow, but some of the sporty characteristics remained. The heavy steering, for example. While this was appealing on the older, sportier Murano, it's become more of an annoyance on the 2022 model as other crossovers are more relaxing to drive.
Nissan has kept the Murano up to date when it comes to tech, but we wish they had done the same with the drivetrain. Compared to the Ford Edge, the Murano feels a generation behind.
If the market were smaller, the Murano might have been more competitive, but it's not. With every new model launch, the Murano slips one step further down the ladder.
2022 Nissan Murano Comparisons
2022 Nissan Murano vs Nissan Rogue
The Rogue doesn't technically compete in the same segment, but it has similar interior space and a larger trunk. It's also nearly as lavish and far more frugal thanks to a less powerful naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The all-new Rogue also has a striking exterior and interior. If anything, it looks even better than the Murano. The new interior and the features that adorn it are bang up to date. For less than a Murano SV, you can have a well-specced Rogue with an eight-inch touchscreen and customizable instrument cluster. The only reason you'd buy the Murano over the new Rogue is the power, but looking at what the new Rogue offers, we'd be hard-pressed to give it all up for a few horses.
2022 Nissan Murano vs Ford Edge
The Ford Edge is closer in price to the Nissan Murano. It's also more comparable in power output thanks to 250 hp and 280 lb-ft outputs from a modern, turbocharged four-pot engine. You can even get a go-faster ST model with a turbocharged V6 offering 335 hp. The 0-60 mph times are relatively similar, but the Edge sprints ahead if you opt for an all-wheel-drive derivative while the ST is far quicker than the Murano.
The Ford is also bigger, with more space for passengers and more cargo room. Ford's Sync 4 infotainment system is also much better and easier to use. The only thing the Edge doesn't have is a V6 engine unless you opt for the ST model, which has no direct rival in the Murano range. In every other way, it's a better car.