Nissan Murano vs Lexus NX Hybrid

The 2025 Nissan Murano presented a fresh and modern exterior design, characterized by a new front look with a next-gen lighting signature featuring a wing motif. This design flowed seamlessly into the horizontal slats of the grille, creating a cohesive and sophisticated appearance. The Murano's wider stance, achieved through an increase of nearly seven and a half centimetres in width and an additional 3.5 centimetres of ground clearance, contributed to its robust presence. The chrome arch along the windows and the winged LEDs were notable styling elements, although not entirely original, as they were reminiscent of the Hyundai Tucson. However, the Murano's execution was preferred for its cohesiveness and sophistication. The interior saw a modern update with a sleeker dash layout and a new push-button gear selector, enhancing the centre console's functionality. The introduction of "Murano glass-inspired" trim added a visually appealing ombre effect, elevating the interior's aesthetic.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid, particularly the NX 350h F Sport 3, showcased an over-stylized design typical of Lexus models. Its aggressive front featured a large, intricately patterned spindle grille, flanked by squinting LED headlights and blacked-out air intakes. The sporty profile was less extroverted, with smooth, rounded edges and body-coloured fender flares. F Sport elements included dark trim and 20-inch wheels, while the fastback roof shape echoed coupe-like crossovers. Inside, the NX combined sporty aesthetics with modern technology, featuring a digital instrument cluster and a large touchscreen angled toward the driver. The F Sport 3 model boasted sporty elements like dark graphite aluminum trim and Circuit Red synthetic leather upholstery. Despite its sporty appearance, the NX prioritized comfort with features like heated and ventilated front seats and dual-zone climate control.

The 2025 Nissan Murano introduced a new powertrain, featuring a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with Nissan's variable compression ratio system, known as VC-Turbo. This engine delivered 241 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, offering improved acceleration compared to the previous V6 engine. The nine-speed automatic transmission was a significant upgrade from the old CVT, enhancing the Murano's responsiveness, especially during highway passing. Standard all-wheel drive provided stability, while the high beltline did not compromise visibility, thanks to adjustable seating. The Murano Platinum AWD model featured active noise cancellation, significantly reducing external noise, and the enhanced Bose audio system further improved the cabin experience.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid, specifically the NX 350h F Sport 3, was equipped with a hybrid powertrain consisting of a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and three electric motors, providing standard all-wheel drive. The system delivered 240 horsepower, with a 0 to 96 km/h time of 7.2 seconds. Despite its sporty name, the NX's handling was more controlled than agile, with a firm suspension and adaptive dampers. The ride was comfortable, though busy on rough surfaces. The hybrid powertrain offered adequate power for daily driving, but the engine's drone during acceleration detracted from the experience. Steering wheel paddles allowed for simulated downshifts, but the drivetrain lacked the responsiveness of a traditional automatic transmission.

The 2025 Nissan Murano continued to offer impressive comfort features, including standard heated and power-adjustable front seats. The Platinum trim added massage functionality, easily accessible via a button near the seat controls. While heated seat settings were screen-based, Google Built-In allowed for voice-activated adjustments. Both front and rear seats featured Nissan's Zero Gravity design, providing comfort, though the rear seats were firmer. Interior dimensions improved in the front, with increased leg and headroom, but the second row lost 6 cm of legroom. Cargo space was generous, with 931 litres behind the rear seats and 1,798 litres with seats folded, complemented by a standard power liftgate.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid's F Sport 3 model offered well-bolstered front seats with ample room and power adjustments for comfort. Heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control enhanced the driving experience. Rear seats accommodated average-sized adults, though legroom was limited for taller passengers. The NX's cargo space was relatively low for its class, with 643 litres behind the rear seats and 1,328 litres with seats folded. The coupe-like roof design contributed to the limited cargo capacity, but the space was sufficient for everyday needs.

The 2025 Nissan Murano was well-equipped with tech features, including wireless charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The monolith-style display housed two 12.3-inch screens for infotainment and driver information. Four USB type C ports were standard, and the SL trim added Google Built-In, a 10-speaker Bose audio system, and customizable ambient lighting. The Murano Platinum further enhanced the tech offerings with a head-up display.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid came standard with a 9.8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch touchscreen, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. SiriusXM satellite radio compatibility was included, and options like a head-up display and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system were available. A three-year Remote Connect subscription provided remote starting and vehicle status alerts. The touchscreen was driver-oriented, with quick response times and convenient controls for volume and temperature.

The 2025 Nissan Murano featured the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, including lane departure warning, blind spot warning, and automatic emergency braking. ProPILOT Assist was added, offering adaptive cruise control and lane-centring, with advanced navigation-based speed adjustments on higher trims. The Murano earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, and safety enhancements included a passenger's side airbag and a 3D Intelligent Around View Monitor.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid received the Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and performed well in crash tests. The Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite included blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features like automatic parking and a surround-view camera system were available. The safety systems functioned effectively during testing, though the adaptive cruise control required some familiarity with the steering wheel controls.