The new, fourth-generation, 2025 Nissan Murano includes a brand-new design language first seen on the Kicks. A new powertrain and tons of tech join the party.
This is the 2025 Nissan Murano. The fourth generation of Nissan’s midsize crossover SUV, finally relieving the third gen. model, which served a 10-year term. It enters the market with three trims: SV, SL, and Platinum.
At first glance, you clearly see that the Murano follows the design language established by the second-generation, subcompact crossover SUV, the 2025 Nissan Kicks. And I find it much better looking than the bulbous and busy outgoing model.
NEW LOOKS
Up front, you get what Nissan calls Crystal Cube LED headlights and LED daytime running lights that Nissan made from multiple thin horizontal slots, which run down the grille diagonally. It forms a quite different looking grille, but Nissan still considers it V-motion. The rear-end is also vastly improved with a nice, full width set of taillights and generally well sculpted shape. Looking at the Murano in profile, it continues to take a very curvy approach to the two-box SUV shape, but a better executed one than before.
Size wise, it’s essentially the same as the outgoing Murano, aside from stretching 2.6-in wider than before. It’s dimensions are 192.9-in long, 78.0-in wide, and 67.9-in tall, with a 111.2-in wheelbase. Nissan also raised the new Murano considerably, it now reaches 8.3-in from the ground, a 1.4-in higher clearance than before.
Finally, you choose between 20 or 21-inch wheels, depending on trim.
ALL THE TECH INSIDE
Inside, Nissan put in a lot of effort to modernize the Murano. To start, standard equipment includes two 12.3-in screens, one for the instrument cluster, another for the center display. The latter includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, of course, but also Google built-in, which itself includes Google Maps, Play, and Assistant. Not done with screens, the Murano Platinum also gets a head up display.
And one new clever trick, Nissan added a system called Invisible Hood. It’s quite similar to what I experienced with the Mercedes-Benz GLC and its transparent hood. Basically, as you roll down the road, a system utilizes images from front camera’s and loads of software to simulate what you’re front tires are currently driving over.
More traditional luxury includes standard heated seats. And the Platinum trim also gets ventilated and massaging seats. And those seats are wrapped in semi-aniline leather. If you get cold hands, both the SL and Platinum trims get a heated steering wheel. The same trims add 64-color ambient lighting and a panoramic moonroof too. Finally, your PRNDL is now a set of buttons at the base of the lower console.
Built as a comfortable two-row crossover, the Murano includes healthy cargo space. You get 33 cubic feet of storage behind the second row and 64 cubic feet with it folded. Moreover, the Murano makes access to that space easy with a standard power liftgate.
POWETRAIN
When it’s time to move, a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder with variable compression ratio will do the work to propel you forward. It is the only powertrain offered, replacing the naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 of the 3rd generation Murano. And swapping engines costs the new Murano 19 horsepower, dropping from 260 to 241 at its 5600 rpm peak. On the plus side, you gain 20 lb.-ft of torque, now 260 lb.-ft at 4400 rpm.
That news may bum some people out, but the new turbo engine does still run on regular gasoline. And it bolts up to a nine-speed automatic transmission, replacing the CVT of the old Murano. That’s good news.
Front-wheel-drive comes standard on the Murano SV with all-wheel-drive offered as an option. SL and Platinum trims include all-wheel-drive as standard equipment. Regardless of the drivetrain, Nissan estimates you’ll get 23 MPG in the city, 24 on the highway, 23 combined.
And it should make for a pleasant highway cruiser, too, with nine-speeds to keep the engines revs down and a four-wheel independent suspension to soak up the bumps.
COMING SOON
Nissan has not yet announced pricing, but I do not expect it to not veer too much from the 2024 price starting at just over $40k when you include destination charge, I bet it starts under $42k.
Based on my recent experience with the second-generation Kicks, I’m cautiously optimistic that this New Murano will drive well and feel comfortable. Nissan says the new Murano will hit dealers in “early 2025”, so hopefully my chance to review one and find out is not too far away.
