Effectively, nicely, nicely. If it isn’t Nissan’s variable-compression turbo engine, an enemy I haven’t appeared 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 once 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 flowery new engine could be a severe understatement, and contemplating how arduous 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 constantly variable transmission. One engineer I spoke with stated the brand new nine-speed auto was simply a more sensible choice partially as a result of individuals had beforehand complained there was an excessive amount of happening when the engine was paired with a CVT, possible not figuring out 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 standard computerized? And if not, is the 2025 Nissan Murano adequate to make up for it?
Full Disclosure: Nissan wished 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 nicely, and Nissan would have paid for my flight if I hadn’t determined to drive myself as a substitute.
Arguably, the Murano doesn’t have to exist. If you would like a two-row crossover with a Nissan badge, you’ll be able to simply purchase the marginally smaller Rogue, and it’ll be tremendous. However again within the early 2000s, Nissan wished a classy, premium crossover that vacant nesters would love, and whereas the inside design of that first-generation Murano could 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 bounds of what’s attainable with mainstream automobile designs. Should you’re going to introduce a design-forward crossover for 2025 you need to take some probabilities, and I get the sensation it’ll in all probability be a minimum of a number of years earlier than we actually determine what we consider the brand new Murano. I’ve heard it seems each nice and terrible, whereas I are likely to fall kind of within the center with the opinion that it’s forgettably handsome. Like a type of actors who concurrently manages to be conventionally enticing however in a manner 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 positively delivers on the promise of a near-luxury expertise. Bodily controls are briefly provide except you depend the push-button shifter, and there’s some piano black plastic within the heart console. You do, nevertheless, 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 in all probability higher for sturdiness and holding the associated fee considerably affordable, nevertheless it’s additionally a continuing reminder that you simply didn’t really purchase a luxurious automobile. 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 very good job of including distinction and little particulars that homeowners will in all probability admire 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 preferred it. It felt good in my hand, and the flat backside made freeway cruising snug even with out a third spoke to relaxation my hand on. Nonetheless, regardless of all of the steering wheel controls, the button to activate the surround-view digicam system continues to be situated within the heart console as a substitute of on the steering wheel the place it could be extra handy. It is a grievance I’ve about mainly each automobile with a surround-view digicam system apart from Mitsubishi, however Nissan and Mitsubishi a part of the identical company now, so that you’d suppose a minimum of 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, instead of the previous mannequin’s 3.5-liter V6 with 260 hp and 240 lb-ft. It didn’t really feel gradual, and the nine-speed computerized felt extra pure than I bear in mind the QX50’s CVT did, nevertheless it’s nonetheless simply not a fantastic engine. Regardless of the promise of six-cylinder energy and four-cylinder gasoline financial system, it certain didn’t really feel like the previous, and so far as the latter went, I feel the very best computer-estimated fuel mileage I noticed was 24 mpg. That typically 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 financial system. As an alternative, it’s about consolation and luxurious. Initially, I believed the Murano may really be enjoyable to drive, however then I spotted 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. Lots. It didn’t really feel unsafe at any level, however I additionally discovered fairly shortly to simply loosen up and benefit from the drive.
Should you don’t push it too arduous and simply let the Murano be the near-luxury crossover that it desires to be, you’ll be a lot happier. Except for the physique roll within the corners that may be disagreeable, it’s an extremely snug automobile. Overlook hustling or making up time. Simply benefit from the seats and the snug suspension tuning. You may even get ventilated entrance seats with a therapeutic massage perform that may make lengthy drives extra fulfilling, and as traditional with Nissan, the seats are fairly dang snug 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 in the event you’re utilizing CarPlay or Android Auto, and 64 decisions of colours for the inside ambient lighting. It’s arduous to think about many individuals commonly enjoying with the colour of their automobile’s ambient lighting, nevertheless it’s there if you’d like it. Nissan additionally consists of the cameras essential for the Invisible Hood View function it added to the Armada, regardless that it’s arduous 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 function is there in the event you ever want it.
One function 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 in all probability would have required Nissan to cost extra for the Murano, however on the identical time, it feels just like the incorrect choice. Should you’ve received a luxury-focused crossover in your lineup, wouldn’t you need to match it with the most recent expertise that you’ve got? It’s not just like the Armada, which does have ProPilot Help 2.1, and the Murano compete instantly. Fingers-free driving could be a fantastic promoting level and actually drive residence Nissan’s concentrate on its premium place out there. You continue to get the extra primary model of ProPilot, nevertheless it’s not like we’re speaking concerning the Rogue right here. It’s the pricier Murano.
Talking of worth, the bottom front-wheel-drive Murano begins at $40,470, up barely from the $38,740 that Nissan prices for the 2024 model. With all-wheel drive solely costing an additional $1,000, although, it’s arduous to think about you’ll see many, if any, front-wheel-drive Muranos on the highway. The mid-range SL, alternatively, consists of AWD as commonplace and can value 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 apart from coloration, so it’s good that Nissan determined to supply two blues and a pink.
Will Nissan’s choice to stay with a extra luxury-focused crossover resonate with the shopping for public, or will they like different SUVs that look just a little extra able to go tenting? I truthfully don’t know. There has to a minimum of be a sure stage of demand that exists, or else we in all probability wouldn’t have seen Nissan carry again the Xterra first. Alternatively, the Murano didn’t actually depart a lot of an impression past simply being typically good and a pleasing place to spend a while. Nonetheless, if the outside design actually does it for you, you in all probability received’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 might be, even when paired with a standard computerized.
