The new Murano has a smaller engine that produces about the same amount of power as the previous generation.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Nissan made waves when it introduced the Murano in 2002 as a 2003 model because it broke the SUV mould as a mid-size crossover. But in recent years, it has lagged the competition. To get ahead of the growing segment, the Japanese car maker unveiled a completely new 2025 Murano Wednesday morning at its Americas headquarters in Franklin, Tenn., with Academy Award-winning actor Brie Larson doing the unveiling. This new Murano comes with more innovative technology, sharper styling and better fuel economy.
The most significant change is under the hood. Nissan dumped the Murano’s previous 3.5-litre V6 engine with 260 horsepower and 240 lb -ft of torque and replaced it with a two-litre turbocharged inline-four, which now produces 241 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Thankfully, the continuously variable transmission is gone, upgraded to a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Academy Award-winning actor Brie Larson introduces and reveals the all-new 2025 Nissan Murano at an event in Franklin, Tenn. on Wed., Oct. 16.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
“We believe it’ll be an engine that’s more modern and can live on much longer. It has lower emissions and more torque,” said Peter Bedrosian, a product planner and strategist at Nissan Motor Corp., ahead of the reveal.
While other competitors offer electric or hybrid powertrains like the Toyota Crown Signia and the Hyundai Sante Fe, the Murano has no hybrid or electric version planned for 2025. But that may change. “Those are things that we’re, of course, considering, but again we will adapt as the customer preference changes. But those are things that we’re certainly working on,” he said.
The LED tail lights span the entire width of the tailgate.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
On the outside, the new Murano looks sharper in its design with crisp, clean lines, dark tinted rear windows and a sloping roofline. There’s no mistaking it as a Nissan. At the front, the Nissan logo takes centre stage in the grille; while above it the Murano name is spelled out near the driver’s side LED headlights on a gloss-black trim strip. Likewise at the rear, the Nissan logo appears in the centre of the LED tail lights, which now span the entire width of the Murano’s liftgate.
Under the badge is the Murano name spelled out in large caps so you can’t miss it. Over all, the rear looks athletic with other nice touches including a hidden rear wiper under the spoiler, hidden exhaust tips and a licence plate that’s lowered to the bumper area. Available 21-inch wheels and two-tone paintwork options are attractive, too. Designers also relocated the side-view mirrors from the A-pillar to the outer doors for better forward visibility.
The Murano has dual 12.3-inch displays screens, capacitive-touch panel for the climate controls, buttons to shift gears and a distinct dashboard finish dubbed 'Murano Glass.'Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Inside, it’s impressive with soft-touch materials and modern technology including dual 12.3-inch displays screens for the instrument cluster and the centre infotainment touch screen. There’s also Google built-in with Google Maps, Google Assistant and the Google Play Store, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and two front and two rear USB Type-C charging ports for better connectivity on the road.
The Murano, which is named after the famed Venetian glasswork art, also has delicate details including a distinct dashboard finish dubbed “Murano Glass” – it has a cool texture and graphic pattern that resembles glass and changes depending on the light. Like the all-electric Nissan Ariya, the Murano also has a capacitive-touch panel for the climate controls. And now there are buttons to shift gears; it looks clean, modern and frees up space for storage, cup holders and a standard wireless phone charging pad.
Compared with the previous generation, the 2025 Murano is the same height, slightly longer and nearly three-inches wider, which translates into more cabin space. Rear seat passengers also have more knee room thanks to a thinner front seat. The rear doors also open wider so it’s easier to enter and exit. Behind the 60/40 split flat-folding second row, there’s a huge cargo area with a whopping 931 litres of space. A power liftgate is standard; while a motion-activated power liftgate is offered on the top trim.
Behind the 60/40 split flat-folding second row, there’s a huge cargo area with a whopping 931 litres of space.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
The Murano comes with more standard features including heated front seats and a heated steering wheel as well as available items such as rear door sunshades, heated rear seats, a panoramic moonroof, ventilated and massaging front seats and ambient interior lighting in 64 shades of the rainbow. Plus, there’s more safety items such as Nissan’s semi-autonomous driving technology called ProPILOT Assist, which combines Intelligent Cruise Control with Steering Assist to help with highway driving and a new 3D Around View Monitor with more camera views – eight, to be exact. There’s even a distinct Invisible Hood View – it may sound odd, but it allows you to see through the engine bay to help spot car wash tracks, drive-through curbs or other obstacles.
The 2025 Nissan Murano goes on sale in early 2025. It’ll be available in three trims – SV, SL and Platinum. Pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date.
Tech specs
2025 Nissan Murano
- Price: To be announced
- Engine: Two-litre turbocharged inline-four cylinder
- Horsepower / torque (lb-ft): 241 / 260
- Transmission / drive: Nine-speed automatic / all-wheel-drive
- Fuel consumption: To be announced
- Alternatives: Honda CR-V, Toyota Crown Signia, Hyundai Tucson, Subaru Outback, Kia Sorrento
The writer was a guest of the automaker. Content was not subject to approval.
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