Nicely, 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 critical understatement, and contemplating how arduous I used to be on the automotive, it’s a miracle anybody at Nissan or Infiniti nonetheless talks to me. Though, I’m fairly positive 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 more sensible choice partly as a result of individuals had beforehand complained there was an excessive amount of occurring when the engine was paired with a CVT, possible not understanding that it was me. I’m individuals. I’m positive loads of different homeowners complained, too, however I used to be one of many first. However is the engine any higher with a traditional automated? 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 have been supplied, 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’d like a two-row crossover with a Nissan badge, you’ll be able to simply purchase the marginally smaller Rogue, and it’ll be superb. 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 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 technology 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 because of Hyundai and Kia actually pushing the bounds of what’s doable with mainstream automotive designs. When you’re going to introduce a design-forward crossover for 2025 you must 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 work out what we consider the brand new Murano. I’ve heard it appears to be like each nice and terrible, whereas I are inclined to fall form 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 offered 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 rely the push-button shifter, and there’s some piano black plastic within the middle 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 might need that it’s actual wooden. That’s in all probability higher for sturdiness and protecting the associated fee considerably affordable, but it surely’s additionally a relentless reminder that you simply didn’t truly 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 great job of including distinction and little particulars that homeowners will in all probability recognize as they get used to their new automotive.
Not everybody goes to be a fan of the two-spoke steering wheel, both, however I truly preferred it. It felt good in my hand, and the flat backside made freeway cruising comfy 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 digital camera system remains to be situated within the middle console as a substitute of on the steering wheel the place it might be extra handy. It is a grievance I’ve about principally each automotive with a surround-view digital camera system aside from Mitsubishi, however Nissan and Mitsubishi a part of the identical company now, so that you’d assume a minimum of Nissan would copy that concept.
Below 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 outdated mannequin’s 3.5-liter V6 with 260 hp and 240 lb-ft. It didn’t really feel sluggish, and the nine-speed automated felt extra pure than I keep in mind the QX50’s CVT did, but it surely’s nonetheless simply not a fantastic engine. Regardless of the promise of six-cylinder energy and four-cylinder gasoline economic system, it positive didn’t really feel like the previous, and so far as the latter went, I feel the perfect computer-estimated gasoline 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 unhealthy, it actually isn’t nice, both.
Then once more, the Murano isn’t actually about driving or maximizing gasoline economic system. As a substitute, it’s about consolation and luxurious. Initially, I assumed the Murano may truly 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 measurement and decrease weight. When you attempt to take a nook too quick within the new Murano, it’s going to lean. So much. It didn’t really feel unsafe at any level, however I additionally discovered fairly shortly to simply chill out and benefit from the drive.
When 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. Other than the physique roll within the corners that may be disagreeable, it’s an extremely comfy automotive. Overlook hustling or making up time. Simply benefit from the seats and the comfy suspension tuning. You may even get ventilated entrance seats with a therapeutic massage perform that may make lengthy drives extra satisfying, and as standard with Nissan, the seats are fairly dang comfy even when they aren’t doing their greatest to get the knots out of your again.
Nissan additionally gave the Murano twin 12.3-inch shows, assist for each wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a legitimately helpful head-up show that may show turn-by-turn instructions if you happen to’re utilizing CarPlay or Android Auto, and 64 decisions of colours for the inside ambient lighting. It’s arduous to think about many individuals often taking part in with the colour of their automotive’s ambient lighting, but it surely’s there if you need it. Nissan additionally consists of the cameras essential for the Invisible Hood View characteristic it added to the Armada, regardless that it’s arduous to think about anybody taking a Murano off-road. At greatest, 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 if you happen to 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 permits 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 similar time, it feels just like the flawed resolution. When you’ve received a luxury-focused crossover in your lineup, wouldn’t you wish to match it with the newest know-how that you’ve? It’s not just like the Armada, which does have ProPilot Help 2.1, and the Murano compete instantly. Palms-free driving could be a fantastic promoting level and actually drive house Nissan’s give attention to its premium place available in the market. You continue to get the extra fundamental 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 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, then again, consists of AWD as commonplace 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 purple.
Will Nissan’s resolution 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 actually don’t know. There has to a minimum of be a sure degree 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 offered on the variable-compression turbo, and I don’t know if I ever might be, even when paired with a traditional automated.
