The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Styling intrigue
- Plush cabin
- Smooth ride
- Approachable tech
Dislikes
- Last redesigned a decade ago
- Slushy transmission
- Can get pricey
- Platinum isn’t all that posh for $50k
Buying tip
features & specs
The 2024 Nissan Murano serves up intriguing style and a comfy cabin, but this design is really starting to show its age.
What kind of vehicle is the 2024 Nissan Murano? What does it compare to?
The Murano is part of a dying breed: it’s a mid-size crossover SUV with five seats and a premium, if not quite truly luxurious, feel. Shop it against the Hyundai Santa Fe, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Toyota Venza, though none of those models is a direct rival.
Is the 2024 Nissan Murano a good SUV?
It’s stylish and comfortable, if a bit behind the times when it comes to user interfaces and fuel economy. We rate the 2024 Murano at 6.2 out of 10 on the TCC scale. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What's new for the 2024 Nissan Murano?
Nissan drops the base S trim level for 2024, which, incidentally, is this SUV’s 10th model year since it was last redesigned.
While the Murano is still a pretty shapely crossover SUV, it’s no spring chicken. Its design ushered in a new look for Nissan back in 2015 with its beak-like front end, pointed headlights, and rearmost roof pillar bisected by a glossy black panel. It’s still a neat-looking SUV, defying its decade on the road.
It’s less progressive inside, with a clean, simple dash, and nice materials in line with pricing. It’s a borderline luxury model in terms of features and trim. The 8.0-inch touchscreen is a throwback when some competitors go 50 percent bigger, if not more.
The 260-hp 3.5-liter V-6 is also a reminder of times gone by. It shifts power forward or to all four corners via a CVT. This sleepy powertrain is short on thrills—not to mention acceleration prowess and fuel economy. EPA test estimates peg the Murano at just 23 mpg combined, and there’s no hybrid option here. At least there’s no penalty for all-wheel drive.
The supple, smooth ride is an asset, though. And we like the way the steering has just enough heft to keep things interesting. It’s a quiet highway cruiser, too. The Murano is a big SUV, tipping the scales north of 4,000 pounds, which means its handling is pleasant rather than entertaining.
Where it excels is in interior space and comfort. With no need for a third row, the Murano allows passengers in the front and rear seats to stretch out in comfort. Base SV versions have synthetic leather, while other models have real hides. While the interior trim is far from showy, it’s in line with the prices Nissan charges. It’s no Lexus, but it’s not priced like one.
The 8.0-inch touchscreen may be small, but it’s easy to sort through. The same can be said for the rest of the Murano’s interior controls.
The Murano also has a great crash-test record and all versions now come with automatic emergency braking, active lane control, and adaptive cruise control.
How much does the 2024 Nissan Murano cost?
The base Murano runs $39,255 to start, which is a big hike over 2023. That’s because the entry-level model is now the SV trim, which was previously a step up in the hierarchy. Look for synthetic leather trim, front and rear parking sensors, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and 18-inch alloy wheels. All-wheel drive runs $1,700 more.
Where is the 2024 Nissan Murano made?
In Canton, Mississippi.
2024 Nissan Murano Styling
The 2024 Murano wears dashing lines over a dull cabin.
Is the Nissan Murano a good-looking car?
It’s interesting enough outside to net a point above average on the TCC scale. Its avant-garde exterior starts with a V-shape chrome grille surrounded by a big hunk of black plastic. Continuing the edgy theme, boomerang-like headlights cut into the front fenders. From the sides, the Murano has a portly look with big fenders and chunky curves. It’s no lightweight, but it doesn’t try to be.
Standard 18-inch wheels do a good enough job filling those wells, though most Muranos now come with even bigger 20s. Chrome detailing along the Murano’s roof gives it a Gallic flair, especially the rearmost roof pillar bisected by a hunk of black trim. It’s different, if not exactly elegant.
The Murano’s cabin fails to impress, even though trim hues and materials are nice enough. The 8.0-inch touchscreen looks small in the dash compared to widescreen displays now found in many competitors. To be fair, the Murano’s buttons and knobs are laid out in a logical fashion. They’re just kind of boring, though.
2024 Nissan Murano Performance
The 2024 Nissan Murano soaks up big bumps.
Far from sporty, the 2024 Nissan Murano is a classic boulevardier updated with SUV styling. That’s not to say it’s a wallowy overstuffed couch. Instead, it has a comfy ride and adequate handling. It’s not too quick, though. It gets a point above average for its ride quality, bringing it to a 6 for performance.
Is the Nissan Murano 4WD?
For $1,700 extra, Nissan will build you one with all-wheel drive. Just don’t head far off pavement since the Murano is hardly a four-wheeling champ.
How fast is the Nissan Murano?
It’s fine, but not rapid by 2024 standards. The 260-hp 3.5-liter V-6 is smooth and torquey, but it has to overcome a 4,000-pound curb weight and its dance partner, a slushy CVT. Forward momentum is decent but hardly pulse-quickening. The Murano works fine around town and has no problem maintaining highway speeds, but there’s not too much in reserve for passing.
The Murano is rated to tow a 1,500-pound trailer if necessary.
Ride quality is the Murano’s best asset. It’s smooth and comfortable, even with the big 20-inch wheels that come on most versions now. There’s also ample sound deadening built in to keep things quiet inside. The Murano gives many genuine luxury cars a silent ride for their money when it comes to refinement.
With the cruise control set, the Murano settles into a comfortable highway cruiser.
The steering is relatively heavy but not particularly communicative. It gets the job done well enough. Strong brakes give the Murano a confident feel, though.
2024 Nissan Murano Comfort & Quality
The 2024 Nissan Murano has a big, comfy interior.
There’s plenty of stretch-out space in the Nissan Murano for passengers, though rear-seat riders might find limited head room thanks to the big sunroof fitted to all but the cheapest version. We rate the 2024 Murano at 7 out of 10 for comfort thanks to good front-seat room and an SUV-typical cargo area.
The front seats are plush and supportive, with standard power adjustment and heating. With nearly 39 inches of rear-seat legroom, the Murano has decent space in row two so long as they’re not much above 6-foot.
The cargo area offers a relatively modest 32 cubic feet behind the rear seat, which more than doubles to 67.0 cubes when the second-row seatbacks are folded down.
Standard synthetic leather can be replaced by real leather on the SL and even softer hide on the Platinum. Interior materials are fine, though the basic look, buttons, and knobs don’t have a luxurious appearance.
2024 Nissan Murano Safety
The 2024 Nissan Murano has done quite well in crash testing.
How safe is the Nissan Murano?
We rate it highly thanks to a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a NHTSA five-star rating, plus good standard driver-assistance and crash-avoidance features. It’s an 8 on the TCC scale.
The Murano’s Top Safety Pick+ award comes with two blemishes: a “Poor” rating in the IIHS’ updated moderate-overlap test and a “Marginal” score in its updated side-impact test. Neither affects its current rating.
All versions now come with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, active lane control, and adaptive cruise control. The Murano misses out on Nissan’s impressive (if warning-happy) ProPilot Assist system that allows for short stints of hands-off driving and offers far better lane-centering tech.
2024 Nissan Murano Features
Stick with the base version and the 2024 Nissan Murano can be a pretty good value.
The 2024 Nissan Murano isn’t a bad buy in its least-expensive configuration, which now costs $39,255 to start. That’s a hefty hike over last year, but it’s because the cheapest trim level was dropped.
We won’t miss it that much. The Murano SV includes synthetic leather upholstery, 18-inch alloy wheels, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, parking sensors, and a host of other features in line with Nissan’s asking price.
We rate the range at 8 out of 10 with points for good standard fare, an approachable infotainment system, and standard driver-assistance tech.
Which Nissan Murano should I buy?
Those looking for a little more luxury might want to grab the SL, which includes leather seats, a surround-view camera system, 20-inch alloy wheels, a power tailgate, and a big sunroof for $43,235.
How much is a fully loaded Nissan Murano?
The Platinum tosses in softer leather, Bose audio, and navigation for $47,265. Extra-cost paint, dark-finish wheels, and all-wheel drive nudge it well over $50,000.
2024 Nissan Murano Fuel Economy
Fuel economy is not the 2024 Nissan Murano’s forte.
Is the Nissan Murano good on gas?
It’s not a particularly thrifty choice. Using the EPA test, Nissan pegs its five-seat mid-size SUV at 20 mpg city, 28 highway, 23 combined regardless of drive wheels. Regular fuel is recommended.
Unlike the Hyundai Santa Fe and Jeep Grand Cherokee, there’s no hybrid version available.
