Introduction

The 2020 Nissan Murano is a mid-size crossover that's very stylish and safe. It excels in comfort, with soft seats and a soft ride. 

For 2020, the Murano gains more standard safety equipment. Every model but the base S gets blind-spot monitors, a surround-view camera system, and automatic emergency braking. 

All Muranos come with a 3.5-liter V-6 that makes 260 horsepower, mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional. 

Both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive Muranos get 20 mpg city, 28 highway, 23 combined, according to the EPA. 

The Murano aces its crash tests, with five stars overall from the NHTSA, including five stars in every test except for four stars in calculated rollover. The IIHS also gives it its top Good ratings in every test, as well as a 'Superior'? rating for its standard automatic braking. 

Lineup

The Murano comes as S, SV, SL, and Platinum. 

The $32,625 S model includes 18-inch alloys, cloth upholstery, two front and two rear USB charging points, and an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. 

The SV includes heated mirrors, power front seats, adaptive cruise control, and rear parking assist for $36,255. 

The SL adds leather upholstery, Bose audio with 11 speakers, heated front seats, ambient lighting, and 20-inch wheels for $40,775. 

The Platinum at $44,825 comes with semi-aniline leather seats, a panoramic moonroof, unique wheels, cooled front seats, and a power adjustable steering wheel. 

All-wheel drive is available for $1,600 in every model. 

Nissan's warranty is 3 years or 36,000 miles. 

Walkaround

With its sweeping lines slightly freshened last year, the Murano remains one of the most distinctive mid-size crossovers on the road. Its lines make it look bigger than it is. It shows off an abundance of curves, a V-shaped grille, floating roof, sharp LED running lights, and lots of bright details. It looks especially interesting in a strong color like orange or blue. 

Interior

The interior has supportive seats that provide plenty of comfort. The standard cloth upholstery feels durable and soft, while the leather on higher models is beautiful; the Platinum's sublime diamond-quilted semi-aniline leather could have been pulled straight from an Infiniti. 

The rear seat is comfortable too, with 39 inches of leg room and 38 inches of head room. 

Behind the second row there's 31 cubic feet of cargo space, less than some rivals. 

Thorough sound deadening makes for a quiet cabin, but that swoopy styling cuts rearward vision for the driver, with thick rear pillars and the sloping roofline slope. The optional surround-view camera system is a good idea. 

Driving Impression

The smooth 3.5-liter V-6 with 260 horsepower is tried and true, but the CVT mutes the engine's responses. The Murano is rated to tow 1,500 pounds. 

The suspension is soft and supple, while the steering is top-notch. 

Summary

The 2020 Nissan Murano is long on comfort and a supple ride. It's stylish, with good interior space for passengers, and it's backed up with decent cargo space. 

 

-by Sam Moses with driving impressions by The Car Connection.