The Nissan Murano debuted in 2003 as the Japanese manufacturer's first crossover SUV. It represented a sportier alternative to the few other midsize SUVs of the time and enjoyed considerable success. Later generations strayed from the sporty personality to garner broader appeal with shoppers.
Nissan Murano Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
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Not only was the Murano the first crossover SUV from Nissan, but it was also the first Nissan in North America equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which eliminated the traditional gears for a twin-pulley system that essentially gave it infinite gear ratios. It promised smoother operation and improved fuel economy but was held back by its lazy reactions that made the vehicle feel slower than it really was.
The latest Murano is the first to come with a standard automatic transmission and the second-largest SUV in Nissan’s current range, sitting between the Ariya EV and the Armada.
Nissan Murano Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Nissan Murano Pros and Cons
- Nissan Murano generations
- Fourth generation (2025 - present)
- Third generation (2015 - 2024)
- Second generation (2009 - 2014)
- First generation (2003 - 2007)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Nissan Murano years are the best?
The current fourth-generation Murano is arguably the best. It distinguishes itself from previous Muranos with its traditional automatic transmission instead of a CVT. It also comes with many more safety and infotainment features than its predecessors.
Which Nissan Murano years are the worst?
The first-generation Murano from model years 2003 to 2007 doesn't quite deserve the title of the worst in the SUV's history as it was actually quite good for the time. It's listed here mainly because later generations improved in almost every aspect, making the earliest Muranos feel primitive by today's standards.
Is the Nissan Murano a good deal?
Up until the current fourth generation, the Murano was typically considered a good deal for the money. As with most Nissans, it was priced more affordably than other Japanese SUVs, though it wasn’t as refined as its rivals inside. The latest Murano is luxurious by comparison but comes with a price tag that flirts with the luxury class. Used Muranos had a tendency to retain their value better than the average SUV for the first several years, then depreciated at a more typical rate afterwards.
Nissan Murano Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Early generations were sportier than their rivals
- Luxurious top trims
- Comfortable seats in later generations
Cons:
- Weak and unresponsive CVTs
- Cargo capacity and towing were often sub-par
- Latest model is expensive for the class
Nissan Murano generations
Fourth generation (2025 - present)
The new Nissan Murano debuted for the 2025 model year. It had almost identical measurements to its predecessor, except for overall width, which increased by more than 6.5 centimetres. Styling, however, took a very different direction. The "V Motion" grille that was Nissan's primary design motif was mostly replaced by a unique split grille with a hint of the "V" flanking it in illuminated strakes, along with a subtle strip of gloss-black trim between what Nissan calls its “Crystal Cube” LED headlights. From the side, the most prominent feature was an arching chrome trim element that bowed over the windows from the mirrors to the taillights. The rear was more futuristic with bold LED lights that spanned the width of the liftgate, and the Murano badge extended just underneath.
Every new Murano had a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 241 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. It was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and the Canadian market received standard all-wheel drive (AWD).
Three Nissan Murano trim levels were offered: SV, SL, and Platinum. The entry-level Nissan Murano SV trim — which had a starting MSRP of $49,642 in Canada for 2025 including destination charges and fees — started you off with synthetic leatherette seats, a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with the NissanConnect tech suite including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated exterior mirrors, and heated washer nozzles. The Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite was standard including intelligent cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, reverse automatic braking, front and rear parking sensors, high-beam assist, blind spot monitoring and intervention, rear cross-traffic alert, and traffic sign recognition.
Specs for the SL trim included a panoramic moonroof, heated outboard rear seats, Google built-in infotainment services, a Bose premium audio system, a surround-view camera system, and an enhanced cruise control system that reduced speed for curves, using several sensors and GPS map data. The top Nissan Murano Platinum trim topped off the features list with larger 21-inch alloy wheels, a hands-free power liftgate, semi-aniline leather upholstery, front seats with ventilation and massage functions, and a head-up display.
The Murano's interior marked a big step forward both in terms of design and quality. As with many modern vehicles, it featured fewer physical buttons and knobs than before, giving the cabin a clean, minimal look. This forced many controls into the infotainment touchscreen, though climate adjustments still had separate capacitive-touch buttons built into the dashboard.
The front seats were more spacious, though the rear seats lost more than five centimetres of legroom. Behind those seats, the cargo area could hold up to 931 litres, representing an increase of 50 litres over its predecessor. This was still somewhat small for a midsize SUV, and the sloping rear window could impede bulkier items.
From the driver's seat, the fourth-generation Murano was noticeably better to drive than the previous model. Much of this was down to the nine-speed automatic that replaced the old continuously variable transmission (CVT). It was more responsive and didn’t suffer from the typical CVT drone when accelerating. The Murano could reach 100 km/h in roughly 7.5 seconds, which was about average for the class. It was tuned more for comfort than for sporty driving, which made sense for family-focused shoppers. Engaging and exciting to drive it was not, but those are rarely priorities for midsize SUVs.
Despite the switch to a traditional transmission, which is usually less efficient than a CVT, the fourth-gen Murano achieved nearly identical Natural Resources Canada fuel economy estimates to its predecessor at 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 8.6 on the highway, and 9.7 combined.
Due to the ongoing tariff situation with the United States, imports of the fourth-generation Nissan Murano into Canada were halted in the second half of 2025. For the 2026 model year, Nissan Canada deleted the SV and SL trim levels, leaving only the Platinum trim. Imports are set to resume in spring 2026.
In crash tests conducted by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2025 Nissan Murano earned five out of five stars in overall and side impact protection and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Murano its top score of "Good" in all evaluations and named it a Top Safety Pick+, which is the Institute's highest honour.
In its inaugural year, the fourth-generation Murano received only one recall for the front brakes. This is impressive for a fully redesigned vehicle and could help it retain its value in future. At the time of writing, there was still insufficient data to predict depreciation, but the Murano has historically lost more value over time than its direct rivals.
The fourth-generation Nissan Murano is too new to offer an appreciable discount over buying new as of this writing. However, if you want a trim that’s more affordable than the Platinum, buying a used SV or SL is your only option as of this writing.
Third generation (2015 - 2024)
The third-generation Nissan Murano arrived as a 2015 model and was slightly larger than the second-generation model it replaced. It grew by roughly 7.5 cm in length and by more than 2.5 cm in width. The exterior design was more notable, featuring a much larger "V" grille that dominated the front fascia. The body was also distinct for its organic sculpting and "floating" roof.
Under the hood was a 3.5-litre V6 engine that produced 260 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) drove the front wheels and all-wheel-drive (AWD) was available as an option with the SV trim and standard on the SL and Platinum. By industry standards, Nissan's CVT was noticeably better than others. It wasn't as slow to respond as competing CVTs, but it was still considered a downgrade when compared to traditional automatic transmissions. Despite this, the Murano would hit 100 km/h in roughly 7.5 seconds, which was quick for the class.
In its debut 2015 model year, the Nissan Murano was available in S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims. The base S trim came standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, and an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen display. The SV added a panoramic sunroof, remote start, a power-adjustable driver’s seats, a power liftgate, and a leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel.
The Nissan Murano SL trim added standard AWD, leather seats, a Bose premium audio system, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, and a few advanced safety features. These included a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert and a surround-view camera system. The range-topping Platinum model upgraded to 20-inch wheels, LED exterior lighting, adaptive cruise control, heated outboard rear seats, and ventilated front seats.
AWD became standard on the SV trim beginning in 2017. The 2018 Murano focused even more on safety, adding standard forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking and bringing adaptive cruise control down to the SL trim. A Midnight Edition option was available for the SL trim with black exterior accents.
The 2019 Nissan Murano received a subtle styling update, an updated navigation system, and a few newly available safety features including pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, automatic reverse braking, and automatic high beams. This suite became standard on the Murano in Canada for 2021. Subsequent changes were light, with the final 2024 Murano discontinuing the base S trim.
The third-generation Murano started the trend of prioritizing comfort over sporty handling, but it was still slightly more athletic than some of its competition. NRCan estimated fuel economy at 9.8 to 9.9 L/100 km combined from 2015 to 2018 and 10.2 to 10.6 L/100 km combined in later model years. These were strong figures for the class, but in the real world it was difficult to match these estimates.
In crash tests conducted by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2015 Nissan Murano AWD earned five out of five stars for side crash protection and four stars for overall and other evaluations. The front-wheel drive Murano was rated at four stars until the 2019 model year, when it was upgraded to five. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the third-generation Murano its top score of "Good" in all tests and named it a Top Safety Pick+ for the first two years of production. That award was reinstated from 2021 until 2023.
Recalls were initially issued for brake fluid leaks, the anti-lock brake system, and the passenger airbag. All but the leaking brakes were addressed by 2017. Other recalls included one for the rearview camera in 2019, suspension parts in 2020, and windows in 2024. In general, the third-gen Murano depreciated at a slightly quicker rate compared to other Japanese SUVs of the time.
Pricing for the third-generation Nissan Murano on the Canadian used vehicle market starts at $7,000 for early-model cars with more than 200,000 kilometres on the odometer and peaks at $40,000 for late-model Platinum units with reasonable odometer readings.
Second generation (2009 - 2014)
The Murano took a gap year before the second generation debuted as a 2009 model. Rather than rock the boat, this follow-up to the successful first-gen Murano appeared as more of an evolution instead of a complete makeover. It adopted the V-shaped grille that became a corporate design signature for the next 15 years, but it otherwise looked very similar to the model it replaced.
The 2009 Murano was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine that produced 265 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) sent power to either the front or all four wheels, with the latter reaching 100 km/h in eight seconds. This was considered quick at the time, and it had a sporty suspension for relatively sharp handling. The second-generation Murano was initially offered in S, SL, and LE trim levels. In Canada, all-wheel drive (AWD) was standard throughout the second generation.
The S trim kicked things off with 18-inch alloy wheels, heated exterior mirrors, privacy glass, and dual-zone climate control. The SL added a power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a rear-view camera, and six-CD stereo with XM satellite radio. The top LE trim upgraded to 20-inch wheels, a power sunroof, a power liftgate, xenon headlights, keyless entry/ignition, leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated outboard rear seats, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, and Bluetooth.
For 2010, the rest of the lineup was upgraded to keyless entry/ignition. The SL trim also gained an available leather package. The following year, the Murano received a minor styling refresh that was most noticeable in the front bumper, and power output was reduced to 260 hp and 240 lb-ft of torque. A new SV trim slotted in between the S and SL models. The LE was also eligible for a navigation system package, and the SL and LE trims added a heated steering wheel.
The 2013 Murano added safety features that included lane-departure warning and a blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, but they were only available as options on the top trim. In 2011, the Murano stepped into uncharted territory by introducing a convertible variant called the CrossCabriolet. It was only offered in the LE trim, only in production until 2014, and criticized for its weight — courtesy of the necessary frame strengthening — an unsettling amount of body twist, and a minuscule trunk when the top was stowed.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2009 Murano four stars for frontal crash protection and five stars in side impact tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the second-generation Murano its top score of "Good" in frontal and side tests and a second-worst score of "Marginal" for roof strength. It was named a Top Safety Pick, which was the highest honour at the time.
The Murano received four recalls in its inaugural 2009 model year for its anti-lock brakes, tire pressure monitor, and airbag passenger sensor. These issues were quickly resolved, and the only other notable recall was issued in 2013 for the power steering. Muranos of this era held their value as well as equivalent SUVs.
Today, a used second-generation Nissan Murano will cost between $4,000 and $13,000 in Canada on average according to listings at CarGurus.ca.
First generation (2003 - 2007)
The Murano debuted as an all-new model in the 2003 model year. It was based on the same platform as the Maxima and Altima sedans, making it Nissan's first crossover SUV. At the time, the only other Nissan SUVs were the Xterra and the Pathfinder, both of which were more utilitarian. SUVs were still rather sparse back then, but the Murano stood out from the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot with its sportier personality.
The first Murano was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, which was initially developed for the Maxima and the Altima. It produced 245 horsepower and 246 lb-ft of torque, and it was mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It was the first North America-bound Nissan vehicle with a CVT and received praise for its smooth power delivery and fuel economy. It was also criticized for its perceived lack of power.
The 2003 Nissan Murano was available in two primary trim levels — SE and SL — and both came standard with all-wheel drive (AWD) in Canada.
In U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) testing, this first-generation Murano received a five-out-of-five-star rating for front passenger crash protection and four stars for rear passengers in side impacts. Likewise, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Murano its top score of "Good" in frontal offset tests.
The 2003 Murano was issued recalls for its air intakes, rear seatbelts, fuel tank, alternator wiring, camshaft sensor, and gearshift selector. The camshaft sensor and shifter were fixed for the 2004 model year, but many of the other problems persisted throughout the production run, so keep an eye out for all the above on a test drive. A recall was issued for the steering wheel lock in 2005. The first-generation Murano retained much of its value early on, but after several years, it depreciated at a comparable rate to other SUVs of the time.
First-generation Nissan Muranos are now quite rare on the Canadian used vehicle market. Expect to pay between $4,000 and $7,000.
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by Mark Takahashi
Mark Takahashi has been in the automotive world since 2001 and over the years has contributed to Edmunds, Car and Driver, Autoblog, and TrueCar. Prior to being an editor, Mark was an art director on various car and motorcycle publications and has competed in amateur open-wheel racing. He is also a juror on the North American Car and Truck of the Year Awards.
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