2025 Nissan Murano First Drive Review

Nissan's new Murano stands out with a premium cabin and unusual styling.

Perry Stern | 

Feb 7, 2025 | 5 min read

Perry Stern

Nissan's first crossover SUV was the 2003 Murano, which stood out thanks to its rather unusual design. Fast-forward two decades, and history has repeated itself, as Nissan has tapped the same playbook for the all-new fourth-generation vehicle. Wearing polarizing looks unlike anything else in the automaker's lineup, the 2025 Nissan Murano boasts a premium cabin and high-tech features — which may be just what it needs to generate the buzz of the original.

The 2025 Murano is a midsize crossover with seating for five passengers, and Nissan positions it between the smaller Rogue and the more rugged three-row Pathfinder. With its emphasis on upscale design and on-road driving dynamics, the Murano bucks the current trend of manufacturers offering off-road packages for mainstream crossovers. Three trim levels are available: SV, SL, and Platinum. Prices range from the low $40,000s to the low $50,000s, including the destination charge.

While some may find the Murano's exterior styling questionable, the interior is spacious, well designed, and boasts Nissan's excellent Zero Gravity seats, making long drives comfortable for everyone on board. Add turbocharged performance and intuitive technology, and this redesign represents a much-needed update to the Murano.

Nissan provided the vehicle for this 2025 Murano review and paid for airfare, lodging, and meals during the evaluation period.

Perry Stern

The 2025 Nissan Murano Is All New

With its new streamlined styling, the 2025 Nissan Murano likely won't be mistaken for anything else on the road. While the length and height remain almost unchanged from the previous generation, the new Murano is 2.6 inches wider and provides 1.4 inches more ground clearance, creating a bolder stance. Nissan further enhances the look with a wide grille, slim headlights, and available 21-inch wheels.

The 2025 Murano's interior features a modern, clean design, representing a dramatic step forward. Central to the high-tech appearance are dual 12.3-inch screens housed in a single wide display. A futuristic two-spoke steering wheel completes the stylish new look.

Aside from the volume-control knob in the center of the dashboard and the push-button gear selector on the center console, virtually all of the physical controls are gone. For example, the Murano has haptic climate controls integrated into the wood trim that disappear when the vehicle is off, similar to the design in the Nissan Ariya electric SUV.

Perry Stern

The 2025 Murano gets a new engine that uses Nissan's variable-compression turbo technology. The turbocharged 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine delivers 241 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque — less horsepower but more torque than the outgoing V6. Nissan also ditches the old Murano's continuously variable transmission for a nine-speed automatic.

Nissan claims the 2025 Murano should get 23 mpg in combined driving, whether it has front-wheel or all-wheel drive (AWD). My Murano Platinum AWD test vehicle's trip computer showed an average of 22 mpg during my drive.

The New Murano Is Comfortable but Not Sporty

Nissan invited me to its North American headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee, to evaluate the new Murano. Since my Platinum AWD test vehicle had no options, the manufacturer's suggested retail price was $50,990, including the $1,390 destination charge to ship it from its assembly plant in Smyrna, Tennessee.

Perry Stern

After settling into the comfortable Zero Gravity driver's seat, I headed into the Tennessee countryside. The new VC-Turbo powertrain delivers strong, smooth acceleration, ideal for passing slower cars on a two-lane back road or accelerating to highway speed.

With the new Murano's commendable power, wider track, available 21-inch wheels, and on-road travel emphasis, I thought it would be a more agile performer than it was. When the road became twisty, I had to slow down more than expected for the curves. Nevertheless, the Murano's steering provides good feedback, and the brakes have a linear feel.

Although the new Murano is not a sporty SUV or made for off-roading, it is comfortable and easy to drive in most situations. The suspension smooths rough surfaces nicely, and the ride is quiet, even at 70 mph.

Perry Stern

Safety and Infotainment Updates Enhance the Experience

While cruising down Interstate-840, I activated the Murano's Nissan ProPilot Assist 1.1 semi-autonomous driver-assistance system. It utilizes the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist to maintain speed and distance from the vehicle ahead and keep the Murano in the middle of the lane. It also employs GPS navigation data to slow the SUV for upcoming curves automatically. However, this version of ProPilot Assist is not hands-free, so the driver must keep a hand on the wheel.

In addition to ProPilot Assist, every Murano has the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite of advanced driver-assistance systems, and includes features such as lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automated emergency braking. A slick new 3D Intelligent Around View Monitor is also available, offering the driver 3D views from eight vantage points around the vehicle and making maneuvering in tight spaces a breeze.

In addition to the new safety tech, the Murano's upper trim levels get a new Google-based infotainment system displayed on the 12.3-inch touchscreen. The new system features Google Maps navigation and Google Assistant voice recognition. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity are standard.

Perry Stern

The New Murano Is a Solid Choice

The 2025 Nissan Murano stands out among five-passenger crossovers, and not just because of its unique exterior styling. It boasts a roomy and comfortable cabin with a high-tech design, good utility, and a potent powertrain, making it a compelling choice for people who want a premium two-row crossover but aren't ready to upgrade to a luxury brand.

Although it may not offer the sporty performance or available plug-in hybrid powertrain of the Mazda CX-70, the new Murano, with its updates for the 2025 model year, should prove competitive with similar alternatives such as the Chevrolet Blazer, Toyota Crown Signia, and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport.

Perry Stern

As a small child, Perry was constantly playing with toy cars and trucks, and that enthusiasm for anything motorized with wheels never faded. After college, he moved to Seattle and began his long automotive career working in an automotive consulting firm, helping customers choose the right vehicle for their needs. In the late 1990s, Perry joined Microsoft to work on CarPoint, part of the new Microsoft Network (MSN). He went on to become editor of the site, remaining on staff for 20 years before venturing out on his own. Today, in addition to his work on Capital One Auto Navigator, he still contributes to MSN, as well as J.D. Power, TrueCar.com, and U.S. News & World Report. Perry lives in the small town of Dexter, Michigan, with his wife and dog, and he still smiles when he sees his 2006 Mazda Miata in the garage.