Nissan Murano (2026)
Comfortable, upscale, and quiet, though turbo lag and limited utility temper its appeal.
The 2026 Nissan Murano is a serene, luxury-adjacent family SUV for commuters and small families trying to make daily driving and road trips feel less tiring. Nissan’s premium positioning is supported by its Zero Gravity seats, quiet cabin, polished displays, and standard AWD, with experts and early drivers especially praising comfort and highway manners. Available massage and ventilation add genuine value, though higher trims push toward luxury-SUV money. The reality check is the 241-hp VC-Turbo engine, which delivers adequate pace through a smooth nine-speed automatic but can hesitate, sound coarse, and raise durability questions. Average fuel economy, modest cargo room, and a 1,500-pound tow limit further narrow its appeal. Its overall recommendation depends on how buyers balance comfort and refinement against efficiency, utility, and powertrain confidence.
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Benefits
Supportive Zero Gravity seats, with available massage and ventilation, make long drives easier on the body.
A hushed ride makes commuting, conversations, and family road trips noticeably more relaxing.
Upscale materials, polished displays, and ambient details bring a more special feel to routine errands.
Available hands-free assistance reduces the effort of long highway stretches when traffic moves steadily.
Trade-Offs
Turbo lag and hesitation can make merging or pulling away from lights feel frustratingly slow.
On broken pavement, the suspension can feel jittery, making otherwise comfortable drives less settled.
Small on-screen climate and seat controls distract you when adjusting comfort settings while driving.
The smaller cargo area leaves less room for groceries, strollers, or luggage than rival SUVs.
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Publications
5 LEADING PUBLICATION REVIEWS
Car and Driver is positive on the 2026 Nissan Murano, though its driving experience leaves the reviewer wanting more. The bold styling, upscale cabin, comfortable Zero Gravity seats, generous cargo space, and extensive standard technology make it a compelling near-luxury family SUV. The turbocharged four-cylinder and nine-speed automatic are quicker and preferable to the previous V6 and CVT, reaching 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, while steering and stability have improved. Still, the suspension can feel unsettled on rough pavement, acceleration is only adequate, and handling remains notably unexciting for a crossover in this price range. Towing capacity is also weak at 1,500 pounds, and the warranty trails key rivals. Car and Driver recommends the mid-range SL trim for its worthwhile comfort, convenience, and audio upgrades, making the Murano a polished, practical choice rather than an engaging one.
By Drew Dorian
Kelley Blue Book’s Eric Brandt views the 2026 Nissan Murano as a polished, comfortable, and safety-focused SUV with genuine upscale appeal. Its smooth ride, exceptionally comfortable Zero Gravity seats, attractive cabin, standard all-wheel drive, easy-to-use technology, and excellent IIHS and NHTSA safety scores make it especially appealing as a family cruiser. Brandt is particularly impressed by the Platinum’s semi-aniline leather, massaging seats, Bose audio, head-up display, and sophisticated design, while the newly available hands-free ProPILOT Assist 2.1 strengthens its relaxed highway character. Still, the Murano is not especially athletic, its turbo four-cylinder can sound coarse from a stop, and its fuel economy is merely average. Rear legroom and cargo space trail many competitors, the 1,500-pound towing limit is weak, and resale value is below average. Overall, it is a refined, well-equipped choice for comfort-minded buyers, though its premium pricing and practical compromises matter.
By Eric Brandt
Car and Driver is positive on the 2026 Nissan Murano, though its driving experience leaves the reviewer wanting more. The bold styling, upscale cabin, comfortable Zero Gravity seats, generous cargo space, and extensive standard technology make it a compelling near-luxury family SUV. The turbocharged four-cylinder and nine-speed automatic are quicker and preferable to the previous V6 and CVT, reaching 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, while steering and stability have improved. Still, the suspension can feel unsettled on rough pavement, acceleration is only adequate, and handling remains notably unexciting for a crossover in this price range. Towing capacity is also weak at 1,500 pounds, and the warranty trails key rivals. Car and Driver recommends the mid-range SL trim for its worthwhile comfort, convenience, and audio upgrades, making the Murano a polished, practical choice rather than an engaging one.
By Drew Dorian
Kelley Blue Book’s Eric Brandt views the 2026 Nissan Murano as a polished, comfortable, and safety-focused SUV with genuine upscale appeal. Its smooth ride, exceptionally comfortable Zero Gravity seats, attractive cabin, standard all-wheel drive, easy-to-use technology, and excellent IIHS and NHTSA safety scores make it especially appealing as a family cruiser. Brandt is particularly impressed by the Platinum’s semi-aniline leather, massaging seats, Bose audio, head-up display, and sophisticated design, while the newly available hands-free ProPILOT Assist 2.1 strengthens its relaxed highway character. Still, the Murano is not especially athletic, its turbo four-cylinder can sound coarse from a stop, and its fuel economy is merely average. Rear legroom and cargo space trail many competitors, the 1,500-pound towing limit is weak, and resale value is below average. Overall, it is a refined, well-equipped choice for comfort-minded buyers, though its premium pricing and practical compromises matter.
By Eric Brandt
Car and Driver is positive on the 2026 Nissan Murano, though its driving experience leaves the reviewer wanting more. The bold styling, upscale cabin, comfortable Zero Gravity seats, generous cargo space, and extensive standard technology make it a compelling near-luxury family SUV. The turbocharged four-cylinder and nine-speed automatic are quicker and preferable to the previous V6 and CVT, reaching 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, while steering and stability have improved. Still, the suspension can feel unsettled on rough pavement, acceleration is only adequate, and handling remains notably unexciting for a crossover in this price range. Towing capacity is also weak at 1,500 pounds, and the warranty trails key rivals. Car and Driver recommends the mid-range SL trim for its worthwhile comfort, convenience, and audio upgrades, making the Murano a polished, practical choice rather than an engaging one.
By Drew Dorian
Kelley Blue Book’s Eric Brandt views the 2026 Nissan Murano as a polished, comfortable, and safety-focused SUV with genuine upscale appeal. Its smooth ride, exceptionally comfortable Zero Gravity seats, attractive cabin, standard all-wheel drive, easy-to-use technology, and excellent IIHS and NHTSA safety scores make it especially appealing as a family cruiser. Brandt is particularly impressed by the Platinum’s semi-aniline leather, massaging seats, Bose audio, head-up display, and sophisticated design, while the newly available hands-free ProPILOT Assist 2.1 strengthens its relaxed highway character. Still, the Murano is not especially athletic, its turbo four-cylinder can sound coarse from a stop, and its fuel economy is merely average. Rear legroom and cargo space trail many competitors, the 1,500-pound towing limit is weak, and resale value is below average. Overall, it is a refined, well-equipped choice for comfort-minded buyers, though its premium pricing and practical compromises matter.
By Eric Brandt
YouTube
13 LEADING EXPERT & INFLUENCER REVIEWS
Doug DeMuroDoug DeMuro is impressed by the Murano’s premium cabin and comfortable, well-executed driving experience, but remains skeptical of its purpose. He praises the upscale materials, clever hidden controls, excellent camera system, configurable displays, roomy rear seat, smooth transmission, and standard luxury touches such as massaging seats. However, the turbo four-cylinder feels noisy and strained compared with the outgoing V6, while the two-row format limits practicality and audience appeal. With a 45/100 DougScore, DeMuro considers it a good vehicle in a shrinking segment, but prefers Nissan’s more powerful, three-row Pathfinder and wishes Nissan had revived the Xterra instead.
savagegeeseSavage Geese is cautiously positive about the 2026 Nissan Murano, but the drivetrain seriously undermines it. They praise its distinctive styling, spacious and quiet cabin, comfortable massaging seats, solid controls, and generally effective safety tech, calling it a high-effort near-luxury SUV. However, the 2.0-liter VC-Turbo and nine-speed automatic feel surgy, lugged, noisy, and unpredictable, with mediocre fuel economy; they consider the previous V6/CVT smoother. Standard AWD is also basic versus rivals such as the Acura MDX. Fix the powertrain, and they would recommend it—otherwise, it is merely “almost there.”
Doug DeMuroDoug DeMuro is impressed by the Murano’s premium cabin and comfortable, well-executed driving experience, but remains skeptical of its purpose. He praises the upscale materials, clever hidden controls, excellent camera system, configurable displays, roomy rear seat, smooth transmission, and standard luxury touches such as massaging seats. However, the turbo four-cylinder feels noisy and strained compared with the outgoing V6, while the two-row format limits practicality and audience appeal. With a 45/100 DougScore, DeMuro considers it a good vehicle in a shrinking segment, but prefers Nissan’s more powerful, three-row Pathfinder and wishes Nissan had revived the Xterra instead.
savagegeeseSavage Geese is cautiously positive about the 2026 Nissan Murano, but the drivetrain seriously undermines it. They praise its distinctive styling, spacious and quiet cabin, comfortable massaging seats, solid controls, and generally effective safety tech, calling it a high-effort near-luxury SUV. However, the 2.0-liter VC-Turbo and nine-speed automatic feel surgy, lugged, noisy, and unpredictable, with mediocre fuel economy; they consider the previous V6/CVT smoother. Standard AWD is also basic versus rivals such as the Acura MDX. Fix the powertrain, and they would recommend it—otherwise, it is merely “almost there.”
Doug DeMuroDoug DeMuro is impressed by the Murano’s premium cabin and comfortable, well-executed driving experience, but remains skeptical of its purpose. He praises the upscale materials, clever hidden controls, excellent camera system, configurable displays, roomy rear seat, smooth transmission, and standard luxury touches such as massaging seats. However, the turbo four-cylinder feels noisy and strained compared with the outgoing V6, while the two-row format limits practicality and audience appeal. With a 45/100 DougScore, DeMuro considers it a good vehicle in a shrinking segment, but prefers Nissan’s more powerful, three-row Pathfinder and wishes Nissan had revived the Xterra instead.
savagegeeseSavage Geese is cautiously positive about the 2026 Nissan Murano, but the drivetrain seriously undermines it. They praise its distinctive styling, spacious and quiet cabin, comfortable massaging seats, solid controls, and generally effective safety tech, calling it a high-effort near-luxury SUV. However, the 2.0-liter VC-Turbo and nine-speed automatic feel surgy, lugged, noisy, and unpredictable, with mediocre fuel economy; they consider the previous V6/CVT smoother. Standard AWD is also basic versus rivals such as the Acura MDX. Fix the powertrain, and they would recommend it—otherwise, it is merely “almost there.”
Doug DeMuroDoug DeMuro is impressed by the Murano’s premium cabin and comfortable, well-executed driving experience, but remains skeptical of its purpose. He praises the upscale materials, clever hidden controls, excellent camera system, configurable displays, roomy rear seat, smooth transmission, and standard luxury touches such as massaging seats. However, the turbo four-cylinder feels noisy and strained compared with the outgoing V6, while the two-row format limits practicality and audience appeal. With a 45/100 DougScore, DeMuro considers it a good vehicle in a shrinking segment, but prefers Nissan’s more powerful, three-row Pathfinder and wishes Nissan had revived the Xterra instead.
savagegeeseSavage Geese is cautiously positive about the 2026 Nissan Murano, but the drivetrain seriously undermines it. They praise its distinctive styling, spacious and quiet cabin, comfortable massaging seats, solid controls, and generally effective safety tech, calling it a high-effort near-luxury SUV. However, the 2.0-liter VC-Turbo and nine-speed automatic feel surgy, lugged, noisy, and unpredictable, with mediocre fuel economy; they consider the previous V6/CVT smoother. Standard AWD is also basic versus rivals such as the Acura MDX. Fix the powertrain, and they would recommend it—otherwise, it is merely “almost there.”
Doug DeMuroDoug DeMuro is impressed by the Murano’s premium cabin and comfortable, well-executed driving experience, but remains skeptical of its purpose. He praises the upscale materials, clever hidden controls, excellent camera system, configurable displays, roomy rear seat, smooth transmission, and standard luxury touches such as massaging seats. However, the turbo four-cylinder feels noisy and strained compared with the outgoing V6, while the two-row format limits practicality and audience appeal. With a 45/100 DougScore, DeMuro considers it a good vehicle in a shrinking segment, but prefers Nissan’s more powerful, three-row Pathfinder and wishes Nissan had revived the Xterra instead.
savagegeeseSavage Geese is cautiously positive about the 2026 Nissan Murano, but the drivetrain seriously undermines it. They praise its distinctive styling, spacious and quiet cabin, comfortable massaging seats, solid controls, and generally effective safety tech, calling it a high-effort near-luxury SUV. However, the 2.0-liter VC-Turbo and nine-speed automatic feel surgy, lugged, noisy, and unpredictable, with mediocre fuel economy; they consider the previous V6/CVT smoother. Standard AWD is also basic versus rivals such as the Acura MDX. Fix the powertrain, and they would recommend it—otherwise, it is merely “almost there.”
Doug DeMuroDoug DeMuro is impressed by the Murano’s premium cabin and comfortable, well-executed driving experience, but remains skeptical of its purpose. He praises the upscale materials, clever hidden controls, excellent camera system, configurable displays, roomy rear seat, smooth transmission, and standard luxury touches such as massaging seats. However, the turbo four-cylinder feels noisy and strained compared with the outgoing V6, while the two-row format limits practicality and audience appeal. With a 45/100 DougScore, DeMuro considers it a good vehicle in a shrinking segment, but prefers Nissan’s more powerful, three-row Pathfinder and wishes Nissan had revived the Xterra instead.
savagegeeseSavage Geese is cautiously positive about the 2026 Nissan Murano, but the drivetrain seriously undermines it. They praise its distinctive styling, spacious and quiet cabin, comfortable massaging seats, solid controls, and generally effective safety tech, calling it a high-effort near-luxury SUV. However, the 2.0-liter VC-Turbo and nine-speed automatic feel surgy, lugged, noisy, and unpredictable, with mediocre fuel economy; they consider the previous V6/CVT smoother. Standard AWD is also basic versus rivals such as the Acura MDX. Fix the powertrain, and they would recommend it—otherwise, it is merely “almost there.”
Doug DeMuroDoug DeMuro is impressed by the Murano’s premium cabin and comfortable, well-executed driving experience, but remains skeptical of its purpose. He praises the upscale materials, clever hidden controls, excellent camera system, configurable displays, roomy rear seat, smooth transmission, and standard luxury touches such as massaging seats. However, the turbo four-cylinder feels noisy and strained compared with the outgoing V6, while the two-row format limits practicality and audience appeal. With a 45/100 DougScore, DeMuro considers it a good vehicle in a shrinking segment, but prefers Nissan’s more powerful, three-row Pathfinder and wishes Nissan had revived the Xterra instead.
savagegeeseSavage Geese is cautiously positive about the 2026 Nissan Murano, but the drivetrain seriously undermines it. They praise its distinctive styling, spacious and quiet cabin, comfortable massaging seats, solid controls, and generally effective safety tech, calling it a high-effort near-luxury SUV. However, the 2.0-liter VC-Turbo and nine-speed automatic feel surgy, lugged, noisy, and unpredictable, with mediocre fuel economy; they consider the previous V6/CVT smoother. Standard AWD is also basic versus rivals such as the Acura MDX. Fix the powertrain, and they would recommend it—otherwise, it is merely “almost there.”
Social
2 INFLUENCER REVIEWS
Kyle LindseyKyle Lindsey is clearly positive about the 2026 Nissan Murano, calling its updates a meaningful improvement in everyday driving. He particularly appreciates the smoother turbocharged engine, quicker nine-speed automatic, composed ride, modern steering, and roughly 23 mpg on regular fuel. His Platinum AWD test reached 60 mph in about seven seconds, suggesting adequate performance without sacrificing refinement. The tone is measured rather than exuberant, and the main caveat is that horsepower falls slightly versus the outgoing V6. Overall, Lindsey views the Murano as more responsive, polished, and practical than before.
Christina BranmanChristina Branman is enthusiastic about the 2026 Nissan Murano’s family-friendly redesign. She points to its flat-folding cargo floor, underfloor storage, dual Google-equipped screens, charging options, ProPILOT Assist, and especially comfortable heated, ventilated, massaging front seats. She also appreciates the second row’s roominess, heated seats, sunshades, and child-seat anchors, while welcoming the move away from the CVT to a 241-hp turbocharged engine with available all-wheel drive. Her enthusiasm softens at the Platinum trim’s roughly $53,000 price, which she admits “hurts a bit.”
Forum Reviews
CUSTOMER REVIEWS FROM 1 FORUM
Redditors are cautiously positive about the 2026 Nissan Murano, praising its comfort and refinement while questioning its powertrain. Its quiet, upscale cabin, excellent seats, attractive technology, and premium ride make a strong impression, and some owners love the luxury feel and smooth cruising. Still, the turbo four-cylinder draws criticism for sluggish launch response, lag, and replacing the favored V6; concerns about long-term serviceability and first-year reliability remain. Design opinions are mixed, though many appreciate its distinctive styling. It suits buyers prioritizing comfort over sporty performance, but shoppers wanting effortless acceleration may prefer an older V6 model.
Many comments
In-Depth Review
Highlights
- •Comfortable Zero Gravity SeatsDesigned for supportive long-distance travel.
- •Calm Ride QualityOften observed as composed on highways.
- •Quiet Upscale CabinMarketed as near-luxury interior refinement.
- •Standard All-Wheel DrivePromoted as added confidence across trims.
Considerations
- •Hesitant Turbo ResponseLag and coarse noise affect launches.
- •Uneven Rough-Road RideBroken pavement can feel jittery.
- •Limited Cargo SpaceCargo volume trails several competing SUVs.
- •Average Fuel EconomyNo hybrid option improves efficiency.
Nissan’s 2026 Murano is a premium-mainstream SUV aimed at relaxed families and commuters who value comfort over corner-carving. Building on Nissan’s reputation for practical crossovers, this redesigned two-row model adds standard all-wheel drive, an upscale cabin, and available massaging seats for road trips, errands, and quiet highway miles. Its appeal is strongest in the details: Zero Gravity front seats, a hushed ride, and dual 12.3-inch displays make it feel closer to an entry-luxury SUV than a typical Nissan. Still, feedback points to trade-offs, including the 241-hp VC-Turbo engine, average fuel economy, and less cargo room than some rivals. The following sections examine how its suspension, powertrain, seating, refinement, efficiency, and space perform in everyday use—so comfort seekers can see whether this Murano’s polished manners outweigh its rough edges.
Ride Quality Control
The Murano prioritizes a calm ride, though rough pavement exposes some limits. Its refined suspension and car-like steering make highway cruising easy, and reviewers generally praise the composed, quiet feel. On broken surfaces, however, the suspension can become jittery, with noticeable body roll and a slightly disconnected response. That balance suits relaxed commuting better than spirited driving. Nissan’s comfort-focused positioning is supported by real-world reviews, but the ride is not uniformly plush, especially compared with more dynamically polished rivals.
Engine Transmission Response
The new powertrain is smoother than Nissan’s old CVT setup, but its response is uneven. The 241-hp VC-Turbo four-cylinder works with a well-tuned nine-speed automatic, and testing has recorded 0–60 mph in about 7.2 seconds. Still, several reviewers and early owner discussions mention turbo lag, torque dips, coarse noise, and hesitation from a stop. The transmission is generally praised once moving, yet the engine’s refinement falls short of the cabin’s near-luxury ambitions and raises some long-term serviceability questions.
Cargo Rear Space
The Murano works well for five, but its two-row layout does not maximize utility. It offers 36.3 inches of rear legroom and about 32.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to roughly 63.5 cubic feet with the seats folded. Reviewers find the rear seat comfortable and practical, yet cargo room trails several competitors, and the 1,500-pound tow rating is notably weak. That makes it better for everyday luggage and family errands than bulky gear, frequent towing, or maximum road-trip flexibility.
Front Seat Comfort
The Murano’s seats are one of its clearest reasons to choose it. Nissan’s Zero Gravity front seats provide strong support for commuting and road trips, while higher trims add ventilation and massage functions that are unusual at this price. Reviewers consistently describe the seating as exceptionally comfortable, and users who value relaxed travel tend to respond warmly. The Platinum’s semi-aniline leather adds polish, although the most desirable comfort features require stepping up in trim or purchasing the SL Comfort Package.
Fuel Economy Reality
Fuel economy is acceptable rather than a standout strength. The Murano is rated at 21 mpg city, 27 highway, and 23 combined, using regular gasoline, and some testing has matched those EPA figures. However, reviewers generally call the result average, especially given the complexity of the VC-Turbo engine and the absence of a hybrid option. Standard AWD adds confidence but does not improve efficiency. Buyers focused on operating costs may find hybrid rivals more convincing, while ordinary commuters should expect reasonable, not exceptional, fuel consumption.
Cabin Quiet Refinement
The Murano creates a convincingly upscale atmosphere without carrying a luxury badge. Its quiet cabin, soft seating, ambient details, and dual 12.3-inch displays support Nissan’s premium-mainstream positioning, while physical climate controls on some versions improve usability. Expert and video reviews broadly support the sense of polish, though the turbo engine can sound coarse under acceleration. Touch-sensitive controls, reflective screens, piano-black trim, and shiny console plastics also dilute the refinement. It feels special during calm cruising, less so when the drivetrain is working hard.
Conclusion
The Murano’s case is clearest when comfort—not excitement—sets the agenda: its composed highway ride, supportive Zero Gravity seats, and quiet, upscale cabin make commuting and road trips feel unusually relaxed. Reviewers and early owners appreciate the smoother nine-speed automatic, but the VC-Turbo’s hesitant response and coarse sound can undercut that polish at stoplights. Fuel economy is reasonable, not remarkable, and the two-row layout delivers usable rear seating without matching rivals’ cargo capacity or towing strength. This is a strong fit for buyers who value standard AWD, premium touches, and easy cruising more than athletic handling, instant acceleration, or maximum utility. Its comfort and refinement justify the price for the right shopper, while the average efficiency, limited cargo space, and unsettled rough-road behavior explain why it stops short of being a segment leader: a polished, sensible choice with clear compromises rather than an automatic recommendation.
Feature Scores
This reflects reviews and ratings from established critics, journalists, and users who have evaluated the item. Their opinions provide a comprehensive assessment.
Performance
Engine Power
3/5
Acceleration
3/5
Towing Capacity
2/5
Fuel Efficiency
3/5
Reliability
2/5
Durability
3/5
Value
Purchase Price
3/5
Operating Cost
3/5
Resale Value
2/5
Design
Interior Space
3/5
Cargo Capacity
3/5
Ergonomics
3/5
Exterior Styling
4/5
Health
Cabin Air Quality
TBD
Interior Material Toxicity
TBD
Safety
Crashworthiness
4/5
Active Driver Assistance
4/5
Braking Performance
4/5
Visibility and Lighting
4/5
Sustainability
Tailpipe Emissions
2/5
Fuel Lifecycle Emissions
2/5
Use of Recycled Materials
TBD
End-of-Life Recyclability
TBD
Experience Style
Infotainment Features
4/5
Ride Comfort Tuning
4/5
Customization Options
4/5
Specifications
This section outlines the product's key facts, covering essential features, details, dimensions, materials, and any unique characteristics that define its functionality and usability.
Performance
Value
Design
Safety
Sustainability
Experience Style
Frequently Asked Questions
10 Questions
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