The 2019 Nissan Murano is an affordable two-row crossover that’s all about comfort, styling and technology, and less about performance and practicality.
The Murano is now in its third generation. It got updated for the 2015 model year and gets refreshed for 2019 with some exterior and interior styling tweaks and some added technology. New standard features include a rear seat reminder system and drowsy driver monitoring. Several driver assistance technologies are now available.
The five-passenger Murano is available in four trims: S, SV, SL and Platinum. Starting prices range from $31,370 to $45,230 and offer good value for the money. Front-wheel-drive is standard and all-wheel-drive is available on all trims.
The Murano is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that makes 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission. While there’s enough power for everyday driving situations, the Murano is not the most athletic performer in the class. It’s not super quick off the line, the steering doesn’t have a lot of feel, the engine can get loud when pressed, and you’ll notice body lean when cornering. If nimble performance is important to you, the Murano won’t be your first choice.
Front and rear visibility can be limited so you’ll be glad for the rearview camera, surround view camera and blind-spot monitoring.
Fuel efficiency is about average for the class. EPA ratings for my tester are 20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway with a combined rating of 23. I got 24 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving.
The cabin is more upscale than many rivals and has an open feel. Materials are of good quality and those in the higher trims would be at home in the Infiniti line. Controls are sensibly laid out and easy to reach. Seats are comfortable and supportive—Nissan calls them Zero Gravity seats and they’re standard in both rows. Headroom is great, even for taller passengers, but those long-legged adults may wish for a bit more legroom.
Standard features include a rearview camera, cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, NissanConnect infotainment system with an eight-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, four USB ports, six speakers, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay.
New for 2019 are a standard driver drowsiness monitor and a rear-seat alert system that reminds you to check the second row before exiting the vehicle. Other standard driver assistance technologies include forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking.
Available features include remote start, 360-degree parking camera, leather upholstery, Semi-aniline leather-appointed seats with diamond-quilted inserts, leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, heated outboard rear seats, heated outside mirrors, 11-speaker Bose premium audio system, satellite radio, HD Radio, voice recognition, navigation, panoramic moonroof and LED fog lights.
Available driver assistance technologies include blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, rear cross traffic alert, rear automatic braking, pedestrian detection, front and rear parking sensors, and high-beam assist.
The Nissan Connect infotainment system looks a little long in the tooth, but it’s easy to figure out and responds quickly to touch and voice commands. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard. You can also use buttons and knobs to control common controls.
The Murano has a little less cargo space than some rivals but the space is easy to use thanks to the low cargo floor and flat-folding rear seats. There are 32.1 cubic feet with both rows of seating in place and 67 cubes with the second row folded. A hands-free power liftgate is available.
The good:
Stylish inside and out
Upscale interior
Comfortable seats
User-friendly infotainment system
Lots of standard and available tech
Standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
The not-so-good:
Meh driving dynamics
Rivals have more cargo space
Infotainment system looks a bit dated
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $45,130. Carpeted floor mats and cargo mat are $245. Destination charge is $1,045 bringing the grand total to $46,420.
Bottom line:
The 2019 Nissan Murano delivers when it comes to style and comfort, and many standard and available safety and driver assistance technologies, all at a good price. If you want a midsize crossover with athletic performance and tons of cargo space, the Murano won’t be your first choice.
