MSRP: $41,670
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Overview
The 2026 Nissan Murano is a midsize SUV that redefines expectations in this class with a sophisticated design, premium detailing, and serene luxury not usually expected from a non-luxury brand like Nissan. It’s the fourth generation of the nameplate, and was completely redesigned for the 2025 model year, getting a new turbocharged variable-compression (VC-Turbo) four-cylinder engine with 241 horsepower and a new nine-speed automatic transmission. It focuses on comfort over sportiness, and its cabin showcases premium materials, Venetian glass-inspired accents, and dual 12.3-inch digital displays.
Nissan’s supremely comfortable Zero Gravity front seats are standard and come with semi-aniline leather upholstery, massaging, and ventilation functions on the Platinum trim, while the ProPilot Assist driver-assistance 2.1 suite is optional on this trim from this year, offering a hands-free driving mode. The Murano balances a near-luxury ambience with fair practicality, offering up to 63.5 cu-ft of cargo space and refined comfort in a two-row midsize format, but it’s more suited to the weekend getaways of urban professionals who don’t need a third row or lots of cargo space than big families.
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What’s New for 2026?
The new Murano only arrived last year, but there are already a few updates, with AWD becoming standard across the lineup, and last year’s SV FWD model dropped. While this increases the 2026 Nissan Murano’s price, it still starts off at under $42K. There’s talk of a base S trim joining the range at some point, but this has not been confirmed.
As for the rest, the 2026 Murano remains the same, but the optional extras are expanded, starting with a new SL Comfort package available for the SL trim, which adds ventilated and massaging front seats with four-way power lumbar support, heated outboard rear seats, and a hands-free, motion-activated power liftgate. Additionally, the ProPilot Assist 2.1 driver-assistance suite is now optionally available on the Platinum trim, bringing a hands-free driving mode.
Exterior
The bold exterior design of the Murano sets it apart from most mainstream midsize SUVs, which are typically more conservative, and it clearly draws inspiration from the electric Ariya in the way its V-motion grille is rendered. Sleekly integrated LED headlights are set into a separate bar above the grille, and flowing character lines along the flanks break up the slab-sidedness of a big SUV. A graceful chrome strip arcs over the glasshouse in a coupe-like sweep and terminates in the tailgate, giving the Murano its signature silhouette.
At nearly 193 inches long, the Murano casts a fairly substantial shadow without being a 200-inch segment buster like the three-row Audi Q7. Standard 20-inch alloy wheels give it a nice sense of proportion, with the Platinum upgrading to even larger machine-finished 21-inchers. The wraparound rear light bar has the Nissan logo in its center, and two-tone paint finishes are available, contrasting the main color with a Super Black roof to give buyers some personalization options. The decidedly modern Murano does well to stand out from the crowd of generic SUVs.
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Interior
Stepping inside, the good news continues with an upscale cabin that prioritizes tranquility and is made from premium materials, with a textured color-shifting trim strip that creates visual interest, as well as a wood-look section that contains the touch-sensitive climate controls in a clean and modern interface. Dual, seamlessly integrated 12.3-inch digital displays take pride of place on the dashtop, serving as the gauge cluster and infotainment touchscreen.
Nissan’s extremely comfortable Zero Gravity heated power front seats, inspired by NASA research, are standard on all trims and fight fatigue, even on long journeys. They are trimmed in leatherette or, on the Platinum, quilted semi-aniline leather with massaging and ventilation functions. The top two trims also get memory settings and a heated steering wheel. Active noise-cancellation is fitted, giving the cabin an eerie silence on the move, and the panoramic moonroof (top two trims) floods the cabin with natural light.
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Price Range and Best Value Trim
| Trim Category | Model | Price (excluding destination) |
| Base trim | SV AWD | $41,670 |
| Top trim | Platinum AWD | $49,800 |
| Best value trim | SL AWD | $46,760 |
We thought the SV hit the sweet spot last year, but we’ve revised our opinion this year and recommend the SL. Not only does it offer useful upgrades over the SV, such as an eight-way power driver’s seat, memory function, a 10-speaker Bose audio system, Google and Alexa built-in, Wi-Fi, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a surround-view camera, a panoramic moonroof, and more, but it also gives access to the SL Comfort package that adds several Platinum features, such as ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a motion-activated power liftgate.
2026 Nissan Murano Specs Overview
The redesigned Murano dropped its old V6 engine, but the result is a mixed bag. The latest model’s 2.0L VC-Turbo four-cylinder lacks the V6’s character and produces 19 hp less, though torque is up by 20 lb-ft and produced from low revs. The more conventional nine-speed automatic gearbox is also an improvement on the old CVT, but the changes fail to realize any efficiency benefits, which is disappointing. Here are the basic figures:
Powertrain Options
| Engine | Horsepower | Torque | Transmission | Drivetrain |
| 2.0L VC-Turbo I4 | 241 hp @ 5,600 rpm | 260 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm | 9-speed automatic | AWD (standard) |
The VC-Turbo engine is the sole option and looks great on paper, varying the compression ratio between 8:1 and 14:1, depending on driving conditions, to optimize performance and efficiency. It employs both port and direct fuel injection. It’s not a powerhouse, but makes short work of daily driving, though maximum towing capacity is a poor 1,500 pounds.
Performance and 0-60 MPH
Despite the small power deficit, the short first gear and hearty low-end torque make for a quick getaway, and the latest Murano gets to 60 mph in an acceptable, but by no means quick, 7.2-7.7 seconds. The happy marriage between the torquey turbo-four and nine-speed auto makes for responsive enough merging and overtaking, though, and the driving experience remains smooth and quiet at all times.
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Fuel Economy
The Murano’s EPA estimates for the city/highway/combined cycles are 21/27/23 mpg, and this is for the AWD powertrain, as the FWD option is no longer offered. Compared to the old 2024 AWD V6 Murano, this is 1 mpg better in the city, 1 mpg worse on the highway, and the same combined. The fact that the much-vaunted downsized VC-Turbo engine cannot beat the big old V6 is disappointing. There’s also no hybridized powertrain option available at all, unlike various rivals.
AWD/4WD System Overview
Nissan calls the AWD system Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, and it’s standard on all 2026 Muranos. It continuously monitors wheel speeds to detect slip and redistribute torque between the axles as needed. It’s essentially FWD in normal driving to save fuel, but seamlessly engages the rear axle to add grip and confidence on unpaved roads and in snow or rain. Combined with decent ground clearance, the Murano makes small work of all manner of roads and weather.
Dimensions
The midsize station of the Murano gives it typical dimensions in this class, and it’s compact enough to thread through city traffic and to park easily enough, especially the top two trims that add a surround-view camera.
| Dimension | Measurement |
| Length | 192.9 inches |
| Width | 78.0 inches |
| Height | 67.9 inches |
| Wheelbase | 111.2 inches |
Interior Space (Front and Rear)
| Row | Headroom | Legroom |
| First Row | 40.3 inches | 43.1 inches |
| Second Row | 39.7 inches | 36.3 inches |
Four adults can be accommodated in comfort in two rows, while a third rear passenger can be squeezed in over short distances. Second-row space is respectable rather than exceptional, and there is adequate clearance for scalps, despite the sloping roofline. As we’ve mentioned, the Zero Gravity seats offer superb comfort.
Cargo Space
Cargo space is also unexceptional for a midsize SUV, and it’s beaten by some compacts, but there is, nevertheless, a handy 32.9 cu-ft behind the 60/40-split second row, which is enough for ten carry-on suitcases, or 63.5 cu-ft with it folded down. A power liftgate is standard on all trims, and it’s motion-activated on the Platinum – a feature that can be optionally added to the SL via the SL Comfort package.
Ground Clearance
The Murano’s SUV-typical 8.3 inches of ground clearance proves adequate for navigating all the speed bumps and steeply angled driveways urban driving can throw at you, and will manage bad and rutted roads fairly easily, even though the car is not made for off-roading. With AWD standard this year, assured winter grip is assured, and it should sail through moderately thick snow with little bother.
Warranty
Nissan’s warranty coverage is not exceptional, but it matches the industry expectation with its basic coverage and includes roadside assistance. A welcome bonus is the standard complimentary maintenance, but even so, overall coverage, especially for the powertrain, trails well behind Kia and Hyundai.
| Coverage Type | Duration |
| Basic (Bumper-to-Bumper) | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
| Powertrain | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
| Complimentary Maintenance | 2 years / 24,000 miles |
| Roadside Assistance | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Active noise cancellation makes for an exceptionally quiet and serene cabin
- Comfortable Zero Gravity seats with available ventilation and massaging
- Bold, distinctive exterior design stands out in this segment
- Dual 12.3-inch displays with wireless connectivity
- Standard AWD and comprehensive safety technology
Cons:
- Acceleration feels adequate rather than energetic
- No hybrid powertrain option limits fuel efficiency
- Limited towing capacity at 1,500 pounds maximum
- Warranty coverage is shorter than that of key competitors
- Handling prioritizes comfort over engagement
Verdict
The 2026 Nissan Murano is a near-luxury midsize SUV that embraces its niche with confidence and convinces with excellent materials, contemporary in-car tech, exceptional seating comfort, and a quiet ride that rivals competitors from luxury brands. The new nine-speed automatic is a big improvement on the old CVT, and the Murano should retain the loyalists who appreciate it for its bold styling and its focus on comfort over canyon-carving dynamics or outright performance. That being said, the engine provides strong low-rev pull and gels well with the new auto ‘box.
But it’s not without its flaws, and the much-publicized VC-Turbo engine technology fails to bring any advance in performance or efficiency, while towing capacity is poor. It’s also decidedly average on cabin and trunk space, and not meant for big families, who will be better served by more spacious rivals. For the faithful, however, the Murano trades sporting pretense for genuine comfort, so the traditional Murano buyer would do well to upgrade to it. The SL represents the best buy in the range, giving you most of the important Platinum selling points without the $50K price tag.
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Competitors:
About the author
Cobus F. Potgieter
Reviews and Features Editor