Model research hub
Nissan Murano
Car and Driver says mid-size SUVs don't have to look boring, and the 2026 Nissan Murano wears a bold wardrobe that proves that point, though its average road manners don't add anything exciting to the equation, with a turbocharged four-cylinder providing adequate power and a chassis tuned for a seamless ride, but forgettable handling, approaching its two-row SUV brief with a near-luxury aim. MotorTrend says after nearly a decade of minor changes, the 2026 Murano offers a fresh design, modern features, and a premium feel among Nissan models, borrowing styling cues from the electric Ariya, with upscale materials and optional massaging front seats that blur the lines between Nissan and its luxury sibling Infiniti, and a new nine-speed automatic transmission replacing the previous CVT for more composed performance, though the complex variable-compression turbocharged engine has notably delayed responses and fuel economy gains are essentially a wash.
A bold wardrobe, forgettable handling
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says mid-size SUVs don't have to look boring, and the 2026 Nissan Murano wears a bold wardrobe that proves that point, though its average road manners don't add anything exciting to the equation, with a turbocharged four-cylinder providing adequate power and a chassis tuned for a seamless ride, but forgettable handling.
A near-decade-overdue redesign
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says after nearly a decade of minor changes, the 2026 Murano offers a fresh design, modern features, and a premium feel among Nissan models, borrowing styling cues from the electric Ariya, with upscale materials and optional massaging front seats that blur the lines between Nissan and its luxury sibling Infiniti.
A new nine-speed automatic, but a laggy engine
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says a new nine-speed automatic transmission replaces the previous CVT for more composed performance, though the complex variable-compression turbocharged engine has notably delayed responses and fuel economy gains are essentially a wash.
Questions buyers ask
Does the Nissan Murano have a hybrid option?
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says no, and both Car and Driver and MotorTrend say it could use one.
What styling inspired the redesigned Nissan Murano?
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says it borrows styling cues from the electric Nissan Ariya.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2026 Nissan Murano is built around 2.0L turbo four-cylinder, rated at 241 horsepower across its midsize crossover body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2026 U.S. lineup has 3 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe most the 2026 Nissan Murano is published to tow is 1,500 lb.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA recalls, complaints and crash ratings for the 2026 Murano.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2026 Nissan Murano
Every Murano trim shares the same 241-horsepower turbo four and nine-speed automatic; AWD is standard across the entire lineup for 2026, and interior materials separate the range.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
3 indexed Nissan Murano model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 Nissan Murano | 2027 record → | |
| 2026 Nissan Murano | 2026 record → | |
| 2025 Nissan Murano | 2025 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the Nissan Murano.
The Nissan Murano is a mid-size crossover SUV manufactured and marketed by Nissan since May 2002 for the 2003 model year. The fourth generation was revealed in October 2024. As Nissan's first crossover SUV for the United States and Canada, the Murano was designed at Nissan America in La Jolla, California, and was based on the Nissan FF-L platform shared with the third generation Altima.
- Safety
- A full set of airbags, steel-reinforced cabin, and head restraints were safety features designed to protect the interior while VDC, ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist were mechanical safety features. VDC incorporates a form of traction control. The Murano received a crash test rating of five stars in all categories but vehicle rollover (four stars) from the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Source: Nissan Murano (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
Nissan Murano at a glance
- Production
- 2002–present
- Model years
- 2003–present
- Class
- Mid-size crossover SUV
- Layout
- Front-engine, front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive
- Predecessor
- Nissan R'nessa (Japan)
- Successor
- Nissan Pathfinder (China)
Nissan Murano generations
The Nissan Murano has been redesigned in 2007, 2015, 2025, gaps of 5, 8, 10 years, an average of 7.7 years between generations. The current generation (fourth generation, Z53) began in 2025.
| Generation | Code | Began | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| First generation | Z50 | 2002–2007 | The first generation Nissan Murano was unveiled in production form for the 2003 model year, at the 2002 New York International Auto Show. |
| Second generation | Z51 | 2007–2015 | The second generation Murano made its debut at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show in November, and sales began in January 2008 as a 2009 model – the 2008 model year was skipped. |
| Third generation | Z52 | 2015–2025 | In April 2014, Nissan unveiled the third generation Murano at the New York International Auto Show, with production in Canton, Mississippi and featuring the VQ-Series 3.5-liter V6 which produces up to 260 hp (194 kW). |
| Fourth generation | Z53 | 2025–present | The fourth-generation Murano was unveiled on October 16, 2024, for the 2025 model year. |
NHTSA rated the 2025 Nissan Murano overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 4 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.
Recent recalls (3 campaigns across the latest model years)
- November 2025, Back Over Prevention:Software. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Murano, 2025-2026 Armada, and Infiniti QX80 vehicles. A software error may occur in the In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) system at vehicle startup, resulting in the rearview camera image not displaying when the vehicle is… Consequence: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- March 2025, Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Murano, Pathfinder, and INFINITI QX60 vehicles. One or both front brake caliper assemblies may have reduced strength and could break. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor… Consequence: A broken front brake caliper can cause a loss of front brake function, increasing the risk of a crash.
- January 2024, Visibility:Glass, Side/Rear. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Murano vehicles. The incorrect primer may have been used on the quarter glass, resulting in the left and right quarter glass detaching from the vehicle. Consequence: Detached glass panels can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Owners filed 22 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Nissan Murano, most often about electrical system (7), power train (5), forward collision avoidance (4).
Year by year
The Nissan Murano across 13 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records | NHTSA recalls | NHTSA complaints | NHTSA overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Nissan Murano | 23 | $2,800 | 1 | |||
| 2026 Nissan Murano | 23 | $2,700 | 1 | 5 stars | ||
| 2025 Nissan Murano | 23 | $2,700 | 2 | 2 | 21 | 5 stars |
| 2024 Nissan Murano | 22–23 | $2,700–$2,850 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 stars |
| 2023 Nissan Murano | 22–23 | $2,700–$2,850 | 2 | 8 | 5 stars | |
| 2022 Nissan Murano | 22–23 | $2,700–$2,850 | 2 | 6 | 5 stars | |
| 2021 Nissan Murano | 22–23 | $2,700–$2,850 | 2 | 16 | 5 stars | |
| 2020 Nissan Murano | 23 | $2,700 | 2 | 2 | 45 | 5 stars |
| 2019 Nissan Murano | 23 | $2,700 | 2 | 1 | 43 | 5 stars |
| 2018 Nissan Murano | 24 | $2,600 | 2 | 2 | 15 | 5 stars |
| 2017 Nissan Murano | 24 | $2,600 | 2 | 3 | 107 | |
| 2016 Nissan Murano | 24–29 | $2,150–$2,600 | 4 | 5 | 107 | 5 stars |
| 2015 Nissan Murano | 24 | $2,600 | 2 | 5 | 202 | 4 stars |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the Nissan Murano, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 to 2026 | 2 to 1 | Labels: Murano FWD; Drives: Front-Wheel Drive; Size classes: Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | ||
| 2024 to 2025 | 22.5 to 23.0 | Engines: 2L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI; Transmissions: Automatic (S9); Size classes: Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl; Transmissions: Automatic (AV-S7); Size classes: Midsize Station Wagons | |
| 2020 to 2021 | 23.0 to 22.5 | |||
| 2018 to 2019 | 24.0 to 23.0 | |||
| 2016 to 2017 | 4 to 2 | 26.5 to 24.0 | Labels: Murano Hybrid AWD, Murano Hybrid FWD; Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl | |
| 2015 to 2016 | 2 to 4 | 24.0 to 26.5 | Labels: Murano Hybrid AWD, Murano Hybrid FWD; Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl |
Buying used
What the Nissan Murano recalls and complaints are about.
| Model year | Campaigns | Systems recalled | Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | service brakes, hydraulic (foundation components); back over prevention (software) | None |
| 2024 | 1 | visibility (glass, side/rear) | None |
| 2020 | 2 | steering (linkages); suspension (rear) | None |
| 2019 | 1 | back over prevention (sensing system) | None |
| 2018 | 2 | back over prevention (sensing system); service brakes, hydraulic (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip) | 1 stop-driving or park-outside |
| 2017 | 3 | service brakes, hydraulic (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip) | 2 stop-driving or park-outside |
| 2016 | 5 | service brakes, hydraulic (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip); air bags (sensor) | 2 stop-driving or park-outside |
| 2015 | 5 | service brakes, hydraulic (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip); air bags (sensor) | 2 stop-driving or park-outside |
Recalls that told owners to stop driving or park outside
- 2015, campaign 18V-601 (Sep 2018): service brakes, hydraulic (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip). A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
- 2015, campaign 19V-807 (Nov 2019): service brakes, hydraulic (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip). A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
- 2016, campaign 18V-601 (Sep 2018): service brakes, hydraulic (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip). A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
- 2016, campaign 19V-807 (Nov 2019): service brakes, hydraulic (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip). A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
- 2017, campaign 18V-601 (Sep 2018): service brakes, hydraulic (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip). A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
- 2017, campaign 19V-807 (Nov 2019): service brakes, hydraulic (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip). A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
1 more campaigns carry the same warning; each is on its model year's page.
| System | Complaints | Share of all complaints | Worst model year |
|---|---|---|---|
| unknown or other | 117 | 20% | 2015 (32) |
| power train | 91 | 16% | 2015 (52) |
| service brakes | 75 | 13% | 2015 (28) |
| electrical system | 64 | 11% | 2015 (22) |
| air bags | 59 | 10% | 2015 (36) |
| vehicle speed control | 43 | 7% | 2015 (20) |
Trim by trim
Every 2026 Nissan Murano trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SV | AWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 241 | 260 | 4,290 | 1,500 | 23 | $43,015 |
| SL | AWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 241 | 260 | 4,355 | 1,500 | 23 | $48,105 |
| Platinum | AWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 241 | 260 | 4,386 | 1,500 | 23 | $51,145 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2026 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every Nissan Murano model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 241 | 4,290–4,386 | 1,500 | 18.7 |
| 2025 | 3 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 241 | 4,323–4,438 | 1,500 | 18.7 |
| 2024 | 3 | 3.5-liter V6 | 260 | 4,037–4,165 | 1,500 | 19 |
| 2023 | 4 | 3.5-liter V6 | 260 | 4,009–4,165 | 1,500 | 19 |
| 2022 | 4 | 3.5-liter V6 | 260 | 3,978–4,137 | 1,500 | 19 |
| 2021 | 4 | 3.5-liter V6 | 260 | 3,978–4,137 | 1,500 | 19 |
| 2020 | 4 | 3.5-liter V6 | 260 | 3,968–4,129 | 1,500 | 19 |
| 2019 | 4 | 3.5-liter V6 | 260 | 3,968–4,137 | 1,500 | 19 |
| 2018 | 4 | 3.5-liter V6 | 260 | 3,913–4,064 | 1,500 | 19 |
| 2017 | 8 | 3.5-liter V6 | 260 | 3,914–4,017 | 1,500 | 19 |
| 2016 | 6 | 3.5-liter V6 / 4-Cyl Hybrid Sprchrg 2.5L | 230–260 | 3,920–4,189 | 1,500 | 19 |
| 2015 | 4 | 3.5-liter V6 | 260 | 3,920–4,017 | 1,500 | 19 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Owning it
Oil, fluid and wheel-nut figures for the Nissan Murano.
| Model year | Engine oil | Brake fluid | Wheel-nut torque | A/C refrigerant | Key-fob battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0W-20 (5 qt) | – | – | – | – |
| 2026 | 0W-20 (5 qt) | – | – | R-1234yf | – |
| 2025 | – | – | 83 lb-ft | R-1234yf | – |
| 2024 | – | – | 83 lb-ft | – | – |
| 2023 | – | – | 83 lb-ft | – | – |
| 2022 | – | – | 83 lb-ft | – | – |
| 2021 | – | – | 83 lb-ft | R-1234yf | – |
| 2020 | – | – | 83 lb-ft | R-134a | – |
| 2019 | – | – | – | R-134a | – |
| 2018 | – | – | – | R-134a | – |
| 2017 | – | – | – | R-134a | – |
| 2016 | 0W-20 | – | – | R-134a | – |
Source: the manufacturer's owner's manual for each model year. A dash means that year's manual gave no single value for it, for instance one that lists two oil grades or two key types.
Model-year recall record
Nissan Murano: which model years carry more or fewer federal safety recalls.
More recalls than this model’s own average
- 2016 Nissan Murano : 5 recalls on file, most commonly affecting brakes and airbags.
- 2015 Nissan Murano : 5 recalls on file, most commonly affecting brakes and airbags.
| Model year | Federal recalls on file | Complaints on file | Recalls most commonly affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | not available | ||
| 2025 | 2 | 21 | brakes, backup camera |
| 2024 | 1 | 4 | visibility/wipers |
| 2023 | 8 | ||
| 2022 | 6 | ||
| 2021 | 16 | ||
| 2020 | 2 | 45 | suspension, steering |
| 2019 | 1 | 43 | backup camera |
| 2018 | 2 | 15 | backup camera, brakes |
| 2017 | 3 | 107 | brakes |
| 2016 | 5 | 107 | brakes, airbags |
| 2015 | 5 | 202 | brakes, airbags |
Method: recall counts and their affected components come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Recalls API, queried by exact make, model and model year. Complaint counts come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Complaints API, same query pattern. Data pulled 2026-09-04.
Check open recalls by VIN for one particular vehicle.
Q01Is there a best year to buy a Nissan Murano?
Recall count alone can't answer that: it says nothing about a specific vehicle's price, mileage, accident history or maintenance record. What federal data can say: 2016, 2015 carried more. See the model-year table on this page for the exact counts and what they cover.
Q02Which Nissan Murano model years should I watch for recalls?
The 2016 Nissan Murano has 5 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting brakes, airbags; The 2015 Nissan Murano has 5 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting brakes, airbags. Always confirm the open/completed status of every campaign for the specific VIN: a recall on this list may already be repaired on the vehicle in front of you.
Q03What are common recall-related problems on the Nissan Murano by model year?
2025: brakes, backup camera. 2024: visibility/wipers. 2020: suspension, steering. 2019: backup camera. 2018: backup camera, brakes. 2017: brakes.
Diagnosing one of these symptoms? The recalled systems above map to this site’s own ownership desks: general, evidence-first guidance that applies regardless of whether the specific vehicle in front of you was ever part of a recall campaign: Brakes, tires and steering, Buying, records and recalls, Climate and electrical.
2016 Nissan Murano owners specifically: see Brakes, tires and steering and Buying, records and recalls.
2015 Nissan Murano owners specifically: see Brakes, tires and steering and Buying, records and recalls.
Compared with
Models this Nissan Murano is most often compared with.
Nearest Nissan models
Other Nissan models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2026 Murano come in?
The 2026 Nissan Murano (midsize crossover) comes in 3 trims: SV, SL, Platinum.
Q02What are the 2026 Murano trims?
The 2026 Nissan Murano trims are SV, SL, Platinum, listed from the entry SV up to the top Platinum.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2026 Murano use?
The 2026 Nissan Murano is built around 2.0L turbo four-cylinder, rated at 241 horsepower across its midsize crossover body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2026 Murano have?
The 2026 Nissan Murano is rated at 241 horsepower (2.0L turbo four-cylinder).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2026 Murano?
The 2026 Nissan Murano is offered with Standard AWD.