2019 Nissan Murano Road Test and Review

2019 Nissan Murano Blue parked ・ Photo by Nissan

Today, crossovers continue to dominate the automotive market, which means there are lots of choices. There are affordable, minimalist crossovers perfect for families on a budget, performance-focused models for those who crave a sporty drive, and luxurious crossovers that provide a comfortable, welcoming space for passengers. The 2019 Nissan Murano leans toward the latter, with elegant styling and a high-end interior.

This year’s Murano isn’t all-new but receives a refresh that focuses on enhancing its upscale appeal. New materials, new technologies, and an updated exterior design help the Murano stand out in a crowded segment. Despite being a more well-equipped and refined crossover that targets a luxury buyer, the mid-size Murano is priced to fit a comparatively modest budget. Let’s take a closer look at the refreshed 2019 Nissan Murano to see if it’s the right crossover for you.

Pricing is affordable throughout the trim range.

Crossovers are all about finding the middle ground. They offer more passenger room, greater capability, and better versatility for cargo than a sedan without the added bulk of a full-size SUV. They also walk the middle ground on price. The Nissan Murano costs more than what you’ll pay for some crossovers, but it also avoids hitting the luxury-car territory that’s out of reach for most consumers. Four available trims start with the base S priced at $31,270.

The SV adds features including a 10-way power driver’s seat at a price of $34,440, while the SL adds navigation, leather seats, and a Bose audio system from $39,230. Sitting at the top of the Murano lineup is the Platinum. This trim offers the most luxurious experience with standard features that include unique leather trims, rear automatic emergency braking, and a power panoramic moonroof at a starting price of $43,530.

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The already elegant interior gets an upgrade.

The Nissan Murano isn’t just another crossover when it comes to the interior. This crossover has always aimed to provide something a step above the average with a streamlined design that’s elegant without getting fussy. It’s a good choice for those who aren’t content simply to have a utilitarian vehicle but instead want one that lets them, and their passengers, relax and enjoy the ride.

This year’s Murano elevates that experience with new trim finishes at every trim level. Three new interior accents include dark and light woods as well as a metallic option. The top Platinum boasts new semi-aniline leather seats with diamond-quilted inserts and contrast piping trim for the seats, door armrests, and center console lid. These changes aren’t big, but they add to the Murano’s appeal — particularly the leather, which would look right at home in far pricier luxury vehicles.

Photo by Nissan

Nissan’s Zero Gravity seats keep you comfortable on even the longest trips.

Nissan likes to talk about its Zero Gravity seats as if they’re a big deal — and it’s right. Standard for the front seats and rear outboard seats, Zero Gravity technology is designed to be supportive and reduce fatigue. Inspired by NASA and the idea of zero-gravity travel, the goal was to create seats that support your body at a neutral posture that stays comfortable even over longer drives.

Get into the Murano and you will find the seats live up to their billing. They’re not too stiff or too soft, and they have minimal bolstering so even larger passengers won’t feel squished. The front seats offer greater adjustability for maximum comfort, but even rear passengers will enjoy a comfortable ride with plenty of room for three adults. Those looking for a more premium experience can opt for leather trims, heated and cooled front seats, and even heated rear seats.

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The smooth ride puts passenger comfort first.

Crossovers aren’t generally as smooth as sedans and sometimes can be downright harsh. The Murano strives to provide a more sedan-like ride for is passengers, and it succeeds on several fronts. Those Zero Gravity seats are a large part of the equation with a good combination of comfort and support. There’s also the suspension system, which smooths out the bumps and dips in the road and makes short work of rough road surfaces. This also helps the driver stay relaxed and in control with minimal steering input required even in rough conditions.

There’s only minor road and wind noise, so conversation is relaxed and easy. And you won’t hear from the engine, which can be an unwelcome intrusion, especially in vehicles with continuously variable automatic transmissions. The Nissan Murano keeps those sounds at bay, even under hard acceleration, despite its CVT. It’s a comfortable, relaxing ride perfectly suited to road trips.

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Infotainment includes improved navigation features.

The Murano features NissanConnect standard across the lineup. This fully featured system includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with an 8-inch touchscreen, so no worries about having a tiny screen on base trims. The SL and Platinum add navigation as a standard feature, and this year it comes with several upgrades. There’s now door-to-door navigation with 3D building graphics and satellite images, online point of interest search, and premium traffic navigation. The system is intuitive and takes little time to learn, which helps reduce distracted driving.

Options include the SV Premium Package, which adds the Intelligent Around View monitor and an 11-speaker Bose audio system on the SV trim. Navigation is not available, even as an option, on the S or SV, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. This seamless smartphone integration makes using your phone for navigation an easy substitute for the built-in system.

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There’s a single powertrain that’s unchanged from last year.

The 2019 Nissan Murano isn’t all-new, so not everything changed. One of the things that remained the same is its powertrain, which features a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 260 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission. It easily moves the Murano up to speed and has no problem merging into heavy highway traffic. The CVT is notably muted, so there’s no whine or noise that intrudes into the cabin, even under hard acceleration. It makes the ride more pleasant for passengers rather than detracting from the drive experience.

The engine also gets good fuel economy, with an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined for front-wheel and all-wheel drive models. The Murano provides both a well-powered and fuel-efficient ride that adds to its affordability over the long term.

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Safety features are expanded with Safety Shield 360.

The Nissan Murano provides numerous standard and available safety features to keep you and your family safe. Safety Shield 360 is new to the Murano with six advanced features. It includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a blind-spot warning, a rear cross-traffic alert, a lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic emergency braking. It’s standard on the Platinum and an option through the SL Technology package.

Also new to the Murano is rear door alert as a standard feature. Developed after a Nissan engineer accidentally left a pan of lasagna in the car overnight, it can do more than save your dinner. If the rear doors are opened before a trip, but not reopened after you've parked, then the system displays a warning and sounds the horn to remind drivers to check the rear seats.

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There’s plenty of room for cargo, and you can tow a trailer.

Although the Nissan Murano is focused on passengers with a comfortable and well-equipped interior, it’s still a crossover. That means it must be ready to do the work of carrying cargo, whether it’s a week worth of groceries, supplies for a weekend project, or luggage for a family getaway. There’s 31.1 cubic feet for cargo behind the rear seat, so you can easily pack the Murano full of people and still have room for their stuff.

Flip the rear seatbacks down, and cargo capacity expands with up to 67.0 cubic feet. The available motion-activated power liftgate makes it easier to load cargo when your hands are full, and a low load floor helps ease the burden of lifting heavier cargo. The Murano can even tow up to 1,500 pounds if all that interior cargo room isn’t quite enough.

Photo by Nissan

Final Thoughts

The Murano's modest refresh this year helps it keep its appeal in a competitive segment. Rather than focusing on performance, the Murano prioritizes passenger comfort with ample room for five people and seats that stay comfortable even of longer trips. Upgraded interior materials enhance the experience, as does the Murano’s smooth, quiet ride.

The four-trim range tops out with the Platinum, which adds premium trims to an already elegant interior. Adding to the Murano’s appeal are pricing that starts at an affordable $31,270 and fuel economy that makes it easy to drive even as gas prices rise. There’s also plenty of room for cargo, even with a full load of passengers. The 2019 Nissan Murano continues to deliver a passenger-focused experience with the flexibility to carry cargo all at an affordable price.

Photo by Nissan