The 2025 Nissan Murano is a next-generation sport utility vehicle (SUV) that’s been elevated to meet the needs of customers in the modern age. Added comforts, technology and options will make it a formidable competitor for the Chevrolet Blazer and Honda Passport.
In the decade since it was last new, Murano has seen sales highs and lows, and increased competition.
“The current Nissan Murano has seen its sales dwindle to a fraction of the volumes it saw during its best years. The current Murano’s sales are both a reflection of its age and changing segment dynamics. In a market that is still red hot for crossover SUVs, Murano is currently in its tenth model year – an eternity in this market. In a market filled with exciting and more frequently refreshed crossover SUV products, Murano doesn’t grab consumers’ attention,” Ed Kim, president and chief analyst at AutoPacific told Newsweek.
Nissan has completely reshaped the 2025 Murano for the new model year, adding 2.6 inches of width and flared fenders to make it have sporty proportions. Those proportions are accented at the corners by ultra-thin “Crystal Cube” LED headlights that are flanked by gloss black strips.
The company’s hallmark V-motion graphic is produced in LED daytime running lights inside the grille.
A hidden window wiper and exhaust tips are not visible to the naked eye in traffic. Instead, they’ll see a full-width LED taillight.
Nissan North America
Nissan North America
Nissan is elevating its two-row Murano SUV for its fourth generation in 2025. The new Murano brings more comfort inside with luxury seating for first-row passengers, dual 12.3-inch digital screens and a new look that now features a real two-tone paint option as opposed to the current floating-roof look.
Nissan will sell the Murano with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 241 horsepower (hp) and 260 pound-feet (lb-ft) of torque. The previous generation of the Murano was powered by a V6 engine. Despite the new generation having a smaller power plant, it does have more torque.
The last-generation’s continuously variable transmission (CVT) has been swapped for a nine-speed automatic transmission in the new model.
The automaker will offer the Murano with the buyer’s choice of front- or all-wheel drive. It can tow up to 1,500 pounds.
Nissan North America
Nissan North America
The freshly appointed cabin is centered around twin 12.3-inch dashboard displays that are standard in the new Murano. The touchscreen at the center of the dashboard acts as the infotainment system and comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto connectivity. The other configurable screen works as a digital instrument cluster.
Google Built-in is included on Murano SL and Murano Platinum grades with Maps, Assistant other apps from the Google Play store.
Like the Nissan Ariya, the 2025 Murano has a push button gear selector and a capacitive-touch panel for climate controls. There are four UBS ports, two each in the front and two rear, and a standard wireless phone charger in the front center console.
A new, multilevel design feature called “Murano Glass” sits on the edge of the dashboard and uses graphics and textures to refract and reflect incoming light.
Seats come appointed in cloth or quilted semi-aniline with leather.
Optional features include a panoramic moonroof; heated, cooled and massaging front seats; a heated steering wheel and ambient lights.
The new, flat-bottom steering wheel is designed to make ingress and egress easier. The driver’s seat has a large range of adjustments to accommodate a wider range of bodies than the previous version of the Murano.
Rear occupants get the company’s Zero Gravity Seats, meant to support a healthy posture. Heat and rear door sunshades are available and the rear doors open wider in this generation than the last. The rear seats fold 60/40.
The 2025 Murano offers 32.9 cubic feet of storage with the seats raised (more than the Blazer) and 63.5 cubic feet with them lowered (less than the Blazer). It has almost 20 percent more cargo room than the outgoing model.
The Murano comes with Nissan’s Safety Shield 360, a group of safety and driver assistance technology, as standard equipment.
Recently, 3D Intelligent Around View Monitor was added to the suite of tech. It expands on the bird’s-eye view technology that’s been available in Nissan cars for years by allowing the user to select from one of eight virtual vantage points around the vehicle. It can also show drivers a virtual view through the hood and engine to see where the tires are going. That feature will be useful in placing the car in car wash tracks, or when going off road.
ProPilot Assist driver assistance technology is also available to Murano buyers. It combines adaptive cruise control with steering assistance to direct the car on the highway, though it still requires hands on the wheel. Upgraded versions use navigation data to proactively adjust speed ahead of curves, based on data about the vehicle’s planned route.
The appealing-on-paper packaging of the Murano faces industry headwinds. The market for larger two-row crossover SUVs has shrunk in recent years and more compact models like Nissan’s own Rogue are now in the sweet spot, Kim said.
“Sales of bigger two-row models like Murano, Ford Edge (which is about to be discontinued), and Chevrolet Blazer have dwindled over time. Even Hyundai’s two-row Santa Fe has been discontinued, replaced by an all-new three-row configuration,” he said.
“Despite the decline in segment’s sales volumes, the exit of those does mean there is opportunity for Nissan to grab some of those larger two-row crossover customers with a refreshed product that incorporates much of Nissan’s latest thinking in powertrains, infotainment, and technology.”
Murano will slot between the smaller Rogue and larger, three-row Nissan Pathfinder when it comes to market in early 2025.
