The 2025 Nissan Murano Has Been Redesigned For Effortless Style. Does It Drive That Way Too?
It’s the dramatic transformation I was hoping for.
The Nissan Murano deserved a serious makeover. It’s been parked in the back of Nissan’s garage for a long time, receiving decent updates but certainly not an overhaul representative of the 2020’s.
And now it’s here, it’s gorgeous, and it is remarkably low-priced for what you get. The base Murano SV trim starts at $40,470 and my test Murano, which was the Platinum trim had pretty much all the goodies, like upgraded upholstery, massaging front seats (yes, both front seats have the massage feature), rang up at $51,415.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
Nissan’s New Design Language Leads Off the Style Story
The Nissan Murano’s front end is distinctive, just like it always has been. I was worried after seeing it at a static reveal last fall that the gloss black grille would look inexpensive. But it doesn’t, it strikes the balance of space-age and sophisticated. The running lights illuminating from underneath the grill add a fun and unexpected detail.
The gloss black trim carries around the sides and back of the Murano, adding consistency to the design. On the back, the Murano has a long trim piece across the liftgate and “Murano” badging just below it. The Murano looks polished and sleek like a manicure with nail art.
Read: 2025 Nissan Armada: This Full-size SUV Finally Got a Makeover and It’s Spectacular
New Style, But Still: Classic, Elegant Murano
What I like about this new Murano is that it still looks like a Murano. The pointed rear window and rounded wheel wells give a nod to the OG Murano. This continues on the inside. The continuous dash with the screen in the center, the center console that comes up under the dash, flat-bottomed steering wheel.The steering wheel adds visual continuity to the overall horizontal styling of the Murano’s dashboard and controls.
The 2025 Murano Platinum I tested had a great balance of tactile controls and screen-based technology. It’s definitely got plenty of lovely details to make you happy. The dash looks beautiful with its wood ledge that houses the climate control buttons. They go dark when the car is off so you wouldn’t know the ledge houses them until the car turns on. They are touch sensitive and offer a bit of haptic feedback and, sitting flush with the panel, they look very clean and modern. The interior actually feels very spa-like.
Above the wood ledge is another level of the dash that has a layer of blue-green glass on top of it that adds a bit of zen and is a nod to the Italian city after which the Murano is named. All this is paired with a LED ambient lights that are customizable. The two-toned seats had super soft perforated upholstery and in a beautiful quilted pattern. What’s more is that they had a massaging feature. Talk about a spa-like environment.
Read: My Inner Child and Outward Adult Both Love the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe Overland
Buttons and Electronic Controls Add to the Modern Feel
In between the front seats is a center console, cupholders, and the push-button gear shifter. That’s right, put the Murano into gear by pressing the appropriately-labeled button and be on your way. It was nifty and saved a lot of space. I also liked the camera button next to the shifters, just press the button and you get a gorgeous view of your Murano and everything around it. Yes, front, side, rear, bird’s-eye, or what I am calling third-person. Under the center console is an open space to stash your purse or other goodies.
Read: 2023 Lexus RX: New Surprises From One Of The Originals
The Artistry of Murano, Italy’s Glass-making Region, Inspires the Touchscreen Too
The glass on the dash isn’t the only long, flowing pane in the Murano. The driver display and multimedia touchscreen system are housed in one long screen. I really liked what Nissan did with the screen: they placed it in a leather housing so it looks integrated into the dash, not just like a screen stuck on top of the dash.
Overall, the system adds a level of sophistication and polish to the look. What’s more, the screen is super crisp and easy to read. Nissan’s native system is easy to use if you don’t want to use the Apple CarPlay/Android Auto options and I loved that I could program a lovely “wallpaper” image (my word, not Nissan’s) on the multimedia system that would stay constant and pretty.
Read: Used: The 2015 Nissan Murano SL AWD is Redefining Fun & Comfort in Driving
A Confident, Easy Drive Accents This Artisan-Inspired SUV
The new Murano uses a 4-cylinder turbocharged engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, getting 21 miles per gallon in the city, 27 on the highway, and a combined 23 miles per gallon. True to the overall vibe of the Murano, the ride and drive are very chill. It’s capable up getting up to speed easily and accelerates well enough at highway speeds. The braking is solid and responsive. People may not love the shape of the steering wheel, but I found it fine to drive with.
The Murano has a solid engine that performs nicely, and a smooth-shifting transmission. The one thing that isn’t effortless about the vehicle is that It does have a bit of engine noise and it does sound like it’s working a bit hard. It also has a touch of torque steer when you accelerate aggressively. I do love that the Murano gives you paddle shifters and Sport Mode so you can have a bit more of a sporty driving experience if you want. It’s also great that the Murano has practically no body roll.
Other drive modes include Eco and Standard. The Eco driving mode is definitely less aggressive, and keeps the accelerations a bit dampened (which is what it’s supposed to do in order to save gasoline).
This Rear Seat Will Inspire You To Bring Others Along For the Ride
Back seat passengers won’t feel like second class citizens; the rear seat is accented with pretty upholstery and some creature comforts including heated seats and a fold-down armrest with cupholders. The seats are heated and there are two USB-C charge ports. The seats have two sets of easily-accessible lower latch connectors for child car seats and there are three sets of upper tether anchors.
I also appreciated the in-door window shades for the rear passengers. There was a lot of leg and head room in the Murano. It was all just so effortless to be in.
Behind the second row is a voluminous cargo area and you don’t have to be a Tetris expert to fit your items in there. The rear seats have a 60/40 split fold.
When the Point of Design is to Elicit a Sense of Calm, Mission Accomplished.
I’m telling you, the world is crazy enough as it is. I think of the Murano as a bit of a respite from it, an enjoyable space to be in that caters to you. It’s a dreamy overhaul of a classic crossover, and one you should put on your list if you need a little zen in your car life.
More About:Car Reviews