The New Nissan Murano Brings Style And Luxury To The Class

The Nissan Murano has been a popular luxury crossover since its debut in 2003. It was luxurious and classy without the large premium tax of something from BMW, Audi, or Mercedes-Benz. It also didn’t feel like your typical SUV. It drove and felt more like a car but with the usability of an SUV. Now, for the fourth generation that has just debuted for the 2025 model year, the Murano is even better than it’s ever been, according to Cars.com’s Aaron Bragman.  

All-New Model, All-New Engine 

For 2025, the all-new Murano gets a big refresh in its interior and exterior designs and a major leap forward in driving dynamics and overall handling. A brand-new VC-Turbo 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 powers the Murano and produces 241 horsepower with 261 lb-ft of torque excellently paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission (more on that excellent pairing later). Many turbocharged engines, especially luxury brand models, require premium fuel, or else your engine will not run properly. The Nissan, however, only requires regular 87-octane gas.  

Pricing, Trim Levels, and Free Oil Changes 

The new Murano starts from $41,860 and is available in SV, SL, and Platinum trim levels. The SV comes standard with front-wheel drive but can be optioned with all-wheel drive, while the SL and Platinum models only come in all-wheel drive. All models come with Nissan Maintenance Care, which gives owners three free oil changes over the first two years or 24,000 miles of ownership.  

A Fresh Take on The Design 

When it came to the vehicle’s styling, Mr. Bragman called it “a breath of fresh air” compared to other vehicles in the segment. With its front-end design becoming the new norm for Nissan vehicles going forward, expect your neighbors to see the same thing when they see your Murano parked in your driveway.  

How Does the New Murano Drive? 

The biggest surprise, it seems, is how well the Murano drives, not because it ever drove badly, but for how sporty it actually can be. Many modern cars try to look the part but fail once you get behind the wheel and find yourself coming up against some back roads. Aaron said that’s not the case here: “You might not think of a Murano as a sporty vehicle, and normally it’s not — put in Standard drive mode, it’s quiet, comfortable and smooth. But in Sport, it’s athletic, entertaining and genuinely fun to drive. The new nine-speed automatic transmission is beautifully tuned to keep the engine in its torquey sweet spot, allowing for curvy road athletics that previous Muranos protested. Powering out of corners is a treat, and downshifts are smooth and predictable on deceleration into a bend … if you come upon some twisty paths, man, just go for it. Nissan did a great job making the Murano fun to drive.” 

Fuel Mileage and Range 

When being driven normally on a daily basis, the 2025 Murano achieves an EPA-estimated 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, with 23 mpg combined, and that’s for both front- and all-wheel drive-equipped models. Thanks to an 18.7-gallon fuel tank, the Murano will be able to drive 505 miles of all-highway driving before needing to refuel. On a mix of city and highway, buyers can expect about 430 miles. This Nissan isn’t just a pretty face.  

Goodbye CVT, Hello 9-Speed Automatic 

In the above quote, you may notice that the transmission was a particular highlight, keeping the Murano in the right gear for the intended purpose while also being fast to shift up and down. While affording the Murano good gas mileage, the previous CVT was not a favorite of owners and journalists. Nissan listened and has given owners a more responsive transmission with excellent characteristics. The electric power steering also got a shout-out for providing a great steering feel with just enough feedback to not be sports car-like but also not be dull.  

A Beautiful Interior 

The interior also received special praise from Cars.com, calling out the more “upscale” fit and finish with beautiful leather surfaces throughout the cabin. The dual-12.3-inch displays were well regarded for feeling like they were appropriately designed for the interior versus being an afterthought and looking like a tablet has been glued in place like other modern vehicles. The Bose premium sound system is a very appreciated touch as it sounds great, making the cabin feel more like a living room than a car interior.  

Safety is Standard Across the Board 

No matter which Murano trim level you choose, all models come standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which gives the Murano Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, High Beam Assist, Bling Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Automatic Braking, Lane Departure, and more. The available ProPILOT Assist utilizes Cruise Control and Steering Assist for hands-free highway driving. SV and Platinum models get ProPILOT Assist 1.1, which uses the navigation system to know whether curves are coming ahead and slows down accordingly.   

Why Choose Nissan of Rochester 

At Nissan of Rochester, we take great pride in offering our customers the best sales and service. Whether you are looking for a new or used vehicle, our fantastic sales team and finance department will work to ensure you get the best price possible. And our outstanding service department will work tirelessly to keep your vehicle in like-new condition.  

We look forward to working with you.