Effectively, nicely, nicely. If it isn’t Nissan’s variable-compression turbo engine, an enemy I haven’t seemed 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 flamboyant new engine can be a severe understatement, and contemplating how exhausting I used to be on the automobile, 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 mentioned the brand new nine-speed auto was simply a more sensible choice partly as a result of folks 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 folks. I’m positive loads of different house owners complained, too, however I used to be one of many first. However is the engine any higher with a standard 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 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 need 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 might not have held up, the outside completely has. The second-gen Murano was extra questionable, however then Nissan returned to kind 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 because of Hyundai and Kia actually pushing the boundaries of what’s potential with mainstream automobile designs. In case you’re going to introduce a design-forward crossover for 2025 it’s a must to take some possibilities, and I get the sensation it’ll most likely be not less than just a few years earlier than we actually determine what we consider the brand new Murano. I’ve heard it appears 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 manner that doesn’t actually depart an impression. Then once more, I additionally thought Glen Powell was forgettable, and now he’s all over the place.
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 in brief provide except you depend 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 could seem like wooden from a distance, touching it dispels any notion you might need that it’s actual wooden. That’s most likely higher for sturdiness and protecting the price considerably affordable, however it’s additionally a relentless 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 great job of including distinction and little particulars that house owners will most likely 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 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 continues to be situated within the heart console as a substitute of on the steering wheel the place it will be extra handy. It is a grievance I’ve about mainly each automobile 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 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 gradual, and the nine-speed automated felt extra pure than I bear in mind the QX50’s CVT did, however it’s nonetheless simply not an ideal 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 very best computer-estimated fuel 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 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 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. In case 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 realized fairly shortly to simply chill out and benefit from the drive.
In case you don’t push it too exhausting 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 may even get ventilated entrance seats with a therapeutic massage operate that can make lengthy drives extra pleasing, and as typical 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, 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 exhausting to think about many individuals usually enjoying with the colour of their automobile’s ambient lighting, however it’s there if you’d like it. Nissan additionally contains the cameras mandatory for the Invisible Hood View function it added to the Armada, regardless that it’s exhausting 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 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 most likely would have required Nissan to cost extra for the Murano, however on the identical time, it feels just like the flawed determination. In case you’ve obtained a luxury-focused crossover in your lineup, wouldn’t you wish 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 immediately. Palms-free driving can be an ideal promoting level and actually drive residence Nissan’s give attention to its premium place available in the market. You continue to get the extra fundamental model of ProPilot, however it’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 fees for the 2024 model. With all-wheel drive solely costing an additional $1,000, although, it’s exhausting to think about you’ll see many, if any, front-wheel-drive Muranos on the street. The mid-range SL, then again, contains 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 apart from shade, so it’s good that Nissan determined to supply two blues and a pink.
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 a bit extra able to go tenting? I truthfully do not know. There has to not less than be a sure degree of demand that exists, or else we most likely wouldn’t have seen Nissan deliver again the Xterra first. Alternatively, 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. Until 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 standard automated.
