Properly, properly, properly. If it isn’t Nissan’s variable-compression turbo engine, an enemy I haven’t regarded within the eye in a few years. This time round, it’s in the brand new 2025 Nissan Murano, however my first expertise with this powerplant got here again after I nonetheless labored at MotorTrend and ended up with the Infiniti QX50 as my long-term tester. To say I used to be not a fan of the flamboyant new engine can be a severe understatement, and contemplating how onerous I used to be on the automobile, it’s a miracle anybody at Nissan or Infiniti nonetheless talks to me. Though, I’m fairly certain my reporting additionally led on to an infotainment system recall, so actually, they need to be thanking me.
The excellent news is, Nissan’s engineers had the sense to keep away from pairing the variable-compression engine within the Murano with a repeatedly variable transmission. One engineer I spoke with stated the brand new nine-speed auto was simply a better option partially as a result of individuals had beforehand complained there was an excessive amount of occurring when the engine was paired with a CVT, doubtless not understanding that it was me. I’m individuals. I’m certain loads of different homeowners complained, too, however I used to be one of many first. However is the engine any higher with a traditional computerized? And if not, is the 2025 Nissan Murano adequate to make up for it?
Full Disclosure: Nissan needed me to drive the brand new Murano so badly, it included a Murano drive on the Armada journey I used to be already on. Meals, drinks, and lodging had been offered, as properly, and Nissan would have paid for my flight if I hadn’t determined to drive myself as an alternative.
Arguably, the Murano doesn’t must exist. If you need a two-row crossover with a Nissan badge, you may simply purchase the marginally smaller Rogue, and it’ll be effective. However again within the early 2000s, Nissan needed a trendy, premium crossover that vacant nesters would love, and whereas the inside design of that first-generation Murano might not have held up, the outside completely has. The second-gen Murano was extra questionable, however then Nissan returned to type for the third era that’s been on sale since 2015.
Within the time since Nissan designed the third-gen Murano, although, the mainstream crossover market has additionally modified considerably, largely due to Hyundai and Kia actually pushing the boundaries of what’s doable with mainstream automobile designs. Should you’re going to introduce a design-forward crossover for 2025 you must take some probabilities, and I get the sensation it’ll most likely be not less than just a few years earlier than we actually work out what we consider the brand new Murano. I’ve heard it appears each nice and terrible, whereas I are inclined to fall kind of within the center with the opinion that it’s forgettably handsome. Like a kind of actors who concurrently manages to be conventionally enticing however in a method that doesn’t actually depart an impression. Then once more, I additionally thought Glen Powell was forgettable, and now he’s in all places.
Whereas I’m not bought on the brand new Murano’s exterior design, the inside undoubtedly delivers on the promise of a near-luxury expertise. Bodily controls are briefly provide except you rely the push-button shifter, and there’s some piano black plastic within the heart console. You do, nonetheless, get a capacitive contact panel for local weather controls, and whereas it might appear to be wooden from a distance, touching it dispels any notion you may need that it’s actual wooden. That’s most likely higher for sturdiness and conserving the price considerably affordable, but it surely’s additionally a continuing reminder that you simply didn’t really purchase a luxurious car. The remainder of the supplies, together with the semi-aniline quilted leather-based, really feel appropriately high-end, although, and Nissan’s designers did a superb job of including distinction and little particulars that homeowners will most likely respect as they get used to their new automobile.
Not everybody goes to be a fan of the two-spoke steering wheel, both, however I really favored it. It felt good in my hand, and the flat backside made freeway cruising comfy even with no third spoke to relaxation my hand on. Nonetheless, regardless of all of the steering wheel controls, the button to activate the surround-view digital camera system remains to be positioned within the heart console as an alternative of on the steering wheel the place it could be extra handy. This can be a criticism I’ve about mainly each automobile with a surround-view digital camera system apart from Mitsubishi, however Nissan and Mitsubishi a part of the identical company now, so that you’d suppose not less than Nissan would copy that concept.
Underneath the hood, you get Nissan’s turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 with variable compression cranking out 241 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, rather than the previous mannequin’s 3.5-liter V6 with 260 hp and 240 lb-ft. It didn’t really feel sluggish, and the nine-speed computerized felt extra pure than I bear in mind the QX50’s CVT did, but it surely’s nonetheless simply not an amazing engine. Regardless of the promise of six-cylinder energy and four-cylinder gasoline economic system, it certain didn’t really feel like the previous, and so far as the latter went, I believe the most effective computer-estimated gasoline mileage I noticed was 24 mpg. That usually tracks with Nissan’s declare that the brand new Murano will get 21/27/23 mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed, and whereas it’s not dangerous, it definitely isn’t nice, both.
Then once more, the Murano isn’t actually about driving or maximizing gasoline economic system. As an alternative, it’s about consolation and luxurious. Initially, I believed the Murano may really be enjoyable to drive, however then I noticed I’d simply gotten out of the Armada, and the sporty character I used to be having fun with was simply its comparatively smaller dimension and decrease weight. Should you attempt to take a nook too quick within the new Murano, it’s going to lean. Quite a bit. It didn’t really feel unsafe at any level, however I additionally discovered fairly shortly to only loosen up and benefit from the drive.
Should you don’t push it too onerous and simply let the Murano be the near-luxury crossover that it needs to be, you’ll be a lot happier. Except for the physique roll within the corners that may be disagreeable, it’s an extremely comfy automobile. Neglect hustling or making up time. Simply benefit from the seats and the comfy suspension tuning. You possibly can even get ventilated entrance seats with a therapeutic massage perform that may make lengthy drives extra pleasurable, and as traditional with Nissan, the seats are fairly dang comfy even when they aren’t doing their finest to get the knots out of your again.
Nissan additionally gave the Murano twin 12.3-inch shows, help for each wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a legitimately helpful head-up show that may show turn-by-turn instructions for those who’re utilizing CarPlay or Android Auto, and 64 decisions of colours for the inside ambient lighting. It’s onerous to think about many individuals frequently enjoying with the colour of their automobile’s ambient lighting, but it surely’s there if you need it. Nissan additionally contains the cameras obligatory for the Invisible Hood View characteristic it added to the Armada, though it’s onerous to think about anybody taking a Murano off-road. At finest, they may park it on some grass, and it’s not just like the Murano pretends to be an off-roader. However once more, that characteristic is there for those who ever want it.
One characteristic that’s notably absent is ProPilot Help 2.1, the model of Nissan’s superior driving help software program that enables for hands-free cruising on mapped highways. Together with it most likely would have required Nissan to cost extra for the Murano, however on the identical time, it feels just like the mistaken determination. Should you’ve acquired a luxury-focused crossover in your lineup, wouldn’t you need to match it with the newest expertise that you’ve? It’s not just like the Armada, which does have ProPilot Help 2.1, and the Murano compete straight. Arms-free driving can be an amazing promoting level and actually drive house Nissan’s deal with its premium place available in the market. You continue to get the extra primary model of ProPilot, but it surely’s not like we’re speaking concerning the Rogue right here. It’s the pricier Murano.
Talking of value, the bottom front-wheel-drive Murano begins at $40,470, up barely from the $38,740 that Nissan costs for the 2024 model. With all-wheel drive solely costing an additional $1,000, although, it’s onerous to think about you’ll see many, if any, front-wheel-drive Muranos on the highway. The mid-range SL, however, contains AWD as normal and can price you $46,560, whereas the top-of-the-line Platinum will run you $49,600. There additionally aren’t actually any choices to select from aside from colour, so it’s good that Nissan determined to supply two blues and a crimson.
Will Nissan’s determination to stay with a extra luxury-focused crossover resonate with the shopping for public, or will they like different SUVs that look slightly extra able to go tenting? I truthfully don’t know. There has to not less than be a sure stage of demand that exists, or else we most likely wouldn’t have seen Nissan carry again the Xterra first. However, the Murano didn’t actually depart a lot of an impression past simply being usually good and a pleasing place to spend a while. Nonetheless, if the outside design actually does it for you, you most likely gained’t discover a lot to complain about, and I can solely assume you’ll be proud of the possession expertise. Except you care concerning the engine. I’m nonetheless not bought on the variable-compression turbo, and I don’t know if I ever shall be, even when paired with a traditional computerized.
