Critics Consensus
Buyers willing to sacrifice driving refinement, fuel efficiency, and practicality for a stunningly styled, exceptionally spacious interior with premium comfort tech—though the troubled turbo engine and steep pricing make it a tough sell against competitors.
7 Reviews
SavageGeese gives the 2026 Nissan Murano a mixed 45/100 score, praising its class-leading cargo space, comfortable seats with massage function, and surprisingly attractive styling, but the review is heavily dragged down by a terrible four-cylinder engine that exhibits surging, bucking, and unpredictable acceleration with unnatural throttle calibration. At nearly $60,000, the Murano undercuts competitors like the Acura MDX on both refinement and drivetrain technology while delivering poor fuel economy, representing poor value despite its thoughtful interior details and good ride quality. SavageGeese suggests the Murano could be recommendable if Nissan completely recalibrates the drivetrain, but as it stands, it's best suited for buyers prioritizing spaciousness and looks over driving refinement and efficiency.
▶ Watch Review ↗TheStraightPipes gave the 2025 Nissan Murano a negative 35/100 OctaneScore, though they were pleasantly surprised by several improvements Nissan made to the model. The standout strengths are its stunning design—with exterior styling comparable to a Ferrari and an attractive ombre dash with blue stitching—and notably improved performance, featuring a turbocharged 2.0L engine with 241 hp and a new automatic transmission replacing the previous CVT. However, significant practical issues undermine the package: the infotainment system has tiny icons, climate controls mounted on wood trim get accidentally pressed constantly, the protruding dashboard reduces knee room, non-removable rear headrests complicate child seat installation, and fuel economy of 10.2 L/100km is unremarkable at a $58,311 price point. The Murano is best suited for buyers prioritizing striking styling and driving dynamics over everyday practicality and value, though the hard brake pedal that hits occupants' knees suggests waiting for a redesign.
▶ Watch Review ↗SavageGeese gave the 2025 Nissan Murano a solid 75/100 rating, praising its livability, design, and cabin technology as standout strengths—particularly the spacious interior with massaging and heated seats, sleek reductive styling with integrated LED lighting, and thoughtfully designed infotainment featuring physical controls and Android Automotive integration. However, the Murano's performance is notably problematic, suffering from a surgy driving experience with excessive head jerk, nonlinear throttle response, and intermittent power delivery that undermines the five-year engineering effort. Value is also a concern, requiring about $45,000 at the mid-trim level to unlock desired features like the panoramic roof and Bose audio. The 2025 Murano is best suited for buyers prioritizing comfort, interior space, and modern tech over dynamic driving dynamics and affordability.
▶ Watch Review ↗Redline Reviews gives the 2025 Murano Platinum a solid positive rating of 67/100, praising its comprehensive redesign with new LED headlights and modern styling, excellent cabin technology including a 10-speaker Bose system and 64-color ambient lighting, and premium interior materials that deliver good fit and finish. However, the new 2.0L turbo engine paired with a 9-speed automatic delivers fuel economy ratings of 21/27/23 mpg—essentially unchanged from the old V6—and significantly trails competitors like the Lexus RX, while pricing has climbed $4,000-$5,000 over the previous generation. The Murano also lacks a hybrid powertrain despite the market shift toward electrified options, though Nissan plans to offer hybrids by 2026. This refreshed Murano suits buyers seeking a comfortable, well-appointed two-row crossover with modern styling and tech, but not those prioritizing fuel efficiency or the latest powertrain options.
▶ Watch Review ↗The 2025 Nissan Murano earned a strongly positive 78/100 OctaneScore, with Auto Buyers Guide praising its complete redesign and dramatically improved livability and cabin tech. The vehicle excels in design (100/100) with slim LED headlights and a distinctive haunch, plus offers genuinely spacious seating—roughly 7 inches more rear legroom than a CR-V or RAV4—along with features like a powered steering column with memory and four-way lumbar support. However, fuel economy remains mixed at 21-23 mpg depending on driving conditions, and performance is moderate with 0-60 times of 6.8 seconds despite the new turbo engine and ZF 9-speed transmission replacing the problematic CVT. The 2025 Murano is ideal for buyers seeking a spacious, well-designed crossover with modern comfort features who are willing to accept modest fuel economy and acceleration in exchange for Nissan's significant refinements over previous generations.
▶ Watch Review ↗The 2025 Nissan Murano earns a strong 77/100 OctaneScore, with Auto Buyers Guide praising it as a major upgrade featuring redesigned aerodynamic styling, dual 12.3-inch responsive touchscreens standard across all trims, and impressive livability with leather-wrapped interiors, massage seats, and heated/ventilated seating on higher trims. The engine swap to a turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder with a 9-speed automatic transmission (replacing the CVT) earned particular appreciation, and the Murano achieves solid 23 MPG combined efficiency. However, the value proposition is compromised by limited towing capacity (1500 pounds maximum) and cargo space that lags behind competitors in the midsize crossover segment. The 2025 Murano is best suited for buyers prioritizing technology, interior comfort, and design over hauling capability and practicality.
▶ Watch Review ↗SavageGeese gave the 2026 Nissan Murano Cross Cabriolet a negative OctaneScore of 32/100, though he finds the vehicle's quirky nature entertaining enough to put a smile on his face when driving it. The standout strengths are the cabin tech—specifically an incredible sound system that shines with the top down—and improved value, with clean examples now selling for roughly half their original $225,000 price tag. However, significant drawbacks undermine the experience: the CVT transmission is a critical weak point that commonly fails around 100,000 miles and neuters the 3.5L V6's performance, while the motorized convertible roof eliminates three-quarters of trunk space and compromises rear-seat accessibility by converting it to a two-door layout. This car is best suited for buyers who prioritize novelty and humor over practicality and reliability.
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