2018 Nissan Murano

"The Murano has an upscale cabin, roomy seating space, good safety scores, and simple tech features." - Cars.USnews

The 2018 Nissan Murano will be offered in 4 trims, priced at an MSRP range of $30,800-$43,830. The four trims on offer are S, SV, SL, PLATINUM. Each of which gets an option of FWD and AWD. With only one powertrain on offer, it comes equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine capable of generating 260 HP and 240 lb-ft of torque.

We Recommend

We would recommend you to pick the SL trim, priced around the $40,000 mark. It offers features such as a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat including lumbar support, leather-wrapped steering, Bose premium sound system, Motion activated liftgate, Ambient interior lighting, 18-inch wheels, Nissan intelligent key, and more.

"The Murano accelerates like most other V6-powered crossovers in the class. It's not quick, but it easily merges into highway traffic. Its continuously variable automatic transmission balances performance and efficiency; the suspension leans toward comfort. A solid all-around performer but not sporty." -Edmunds

Engine specs of the 2018 Nissan Murano

With a single powertrain on offer, the 2018 Nissan Murano hosts a 3.5L DOHC 24-valve V6 engine. This comes with a CVT transmission and two drivetrains to choose from. At a price point of $30,800, the 2018 Murano is capable of churning out 260 HP and 240 lb-ft of torque. With such power to offer it is probably segment-leading in terms of HP generated.

In comparison with its competition, we have the Hyundai Santa Fe that features a 3.3-liter V6 engine that churns out 290 HP while generating 252 lb-ft of torque. It is followed by the Nissan Murano and Ford Edge ranks after with the generation of 245 HP. The 2018 Kia Sorento gets a 2.4-liter 4 cylinder engine and generates 185 HP with the same, even lesser than Ford's 2.0-liter turbocharged engine.

Acceleration of the 2018 Nissan Murano

The 2018 Nissan Murano has an average acceleration to offer, credited to its decent power output. For a crossover to go from 0-60 mph in just 7.8 seconds is indeed a fine feat. With 240 lb-ft of torque on offer it also goes the quarter-mile in 16.0 seconds, it surely isn't the fastest in the segment but these numbers aren't bad either.

The fastest car in comparison is surprisingly a tie between the most powered Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2018 Ford Edge, both of which go from 0-60 mph in just 7.3 seconds; they also clock the quarter-mile a split second after each other. The Ford records it in just 15.7 seconds, while the Santa Fe does it in 15.8 seconds. It is pretty clear that the turbo engine of the Ford Edge seems to be quite effective. Let's go-ahead to check if it is efficient as well.

Braking of the 2018 Nissan Murano

Equipped with a fine set of brakes that match the offering of most of its competitors, the 2018 Nissan Murano gets a set of 12.6-inch rotors for the front wheels while it offers a set of 12.1-inch rotors for the rear wheels. This set of brakes help it come to a standstill at 119 ft from a speed of 60 mph. This is indeed a fine record given that the Nissan Murano weighs 3769 pounds.

When compared with its competition we find that the Nissan Murano has the best brake performance in class. It is followed by the Ford Edge and Hyundai Santa Fe that record coming to a halt from 60 mph in 125 ft each. Do keep note that the 2018 Ford Edge comes equipped with the largest rotors in class, measuring 13.6 inches for the front and 12.4 inches for the rear. Ranking last we have the Kia Sorento that measures a distance of 130 feet for the same.

The Murano gets good fuel economy for a midsize SUV." - Cars.USNews

The 2018 Nissan Murano has a decent fuel efficiency to offer and it matches its rivals with the same. Despite being equipped with a large engine, way larger than its competition, it yet returns a mileage equal to theirs. It records an EPA reading of 21 miles to a gallon for city drives, 28 miles to a gallon for Highway drives, and a combined reading of 24 miles to a gallon.

The 2018 Ford Edge and the 2018 Kia Sorento offer identical EPA readings as the Nissan Murano. However, the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe offers the least fuel economy, due to having the best part output in class. It is capable of returning only 18 miles to a gallon for city drives, 25 miles to a gallon for Highway cruises, and a combined reading of 21 miles to a gallon.

"Climb inside the Murano's cabin, and you may feel like you're in a more expensively badged SUV. This Nissan has one of the most luxurious cabins in the class, with handsome interior styling and first-rate materials. There are no hard-touch plastics to be found, unlike in many rivals." -Cars.USnews

Seating and Comfort of the 2018 Nissan Murano

The 2018 Nissan Murano accommodates five individuals and measures a passenger volume of 108 cubic feet. This is certainly less compared to its competition, as they accommodate 7 individuals and offer close to 150 cubic feet for the passenger volume. Murano offers decent legroom for both rows of seating and doesn't compensate on the second row in any way. Further equipped with luxuries such as 10-way adjustable seats with lumbar support, leather-clad steering wheel and gear knob, premium inserts, and more.

In comparison with its competition, the Murano sees only the 2018 Ford Edge along with it, providing for five individuals each. However, even the Ford Edge offers more passenger volume than the Murano, measuring 113 cubic feet. On the other hand, the 2018 Kia Sorento and the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe accommodate 7 individuals and provide a passenger room of around 150 cubic feet each. In terms of comfort, all the vehicles are pretty much the same as they all offer technological inputs and a certain level of luxury inside.

Infotainment System of the 2018 Nissan Murano

The technology used in the Murano is one of the most well-known in the SUV segment. It has tremendous additional upgrades along with great features. The tech functions inside the car continue to upgrade year by year. The Nissan Murano infotainment system has a lot of additions such as:

• Apple Car play
• Android Auto Nissan
• Blind Spot Warning
• Bose Premium Auto System
• Nissan Connect Services

Cargo Volume of the 2018 Nissan Murano

The 2018 Nissan Murano offers decent cargo space for its segment. Behind the two rows of seats that it comes with it has 32 cubic feet of the room as its cargo space. With the second row of seats folded this space can expand to a total of 67 cubic feet. The competition comes with a better offering, the details of which are given below:

The largest cargo offering in class is by the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe its cargo area measures 80 cubic feet at a maximum. However, its basic cargo offering is just 13.5 cubic feet. If you are confused about it, it is because the Hyundai Santa Fe has three rows of seats. The same is the case with the 2018 Kia Sorento that offers a basic cargo room of just 11.3 cubic feet and a maximum area of 73.5 cubic feet.

" Mundane driving dynamics and an average predicted reliability rating keep it from ranking higher." - Cars.USNews

Dimension and Weight of the 2018 Nissan Murano

With a fine length to its name, the 2018 Nissan Murano has an attractive exterior border design. The front and rear fascia of which is extremely eye-catching. It measures the lowest ground clearance of 6.9 inches but an above-average height of 67.8 inches hence, giving an extremely comfortable interior.

In comparison with the competition, the Hyundai Santa Fe and Ford Edge weigh more than the Nissan Murano. The 2018 Murano now seems to be the most compact offering in class. The most pleasing exterior body is of the Hyundai Santa Fe while the others rank closely behind.

Exterior Features of the 2018 Nissan Murano

Some exterior features are as follows:

• LED Headlights
• Black Exterior Accents
• LED Turn Signal Indicators
• 18" and 20" aluminum-alloy wheels
• Black Roof Rails
• Black Splash Guards

"The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2018 Murano with all-wheel drive an overall safety rating of five out of five stars." - Cars.USNews

Safety rating of the 2018 Nissan Murano

In order to know about the safety offering of the 2018 Nissan Murano, we dug into the reports of NHTSA and found that it scores a perfect 5 out of 5-star rating in the overall safety ratings. However, there are two aspects in which it gets 4 out of 5 stars and they are the frontal crash tests and the rollover tests. It further goes ahead to score a 5-star rating in the side crash test, adding to its reliability. On further research, we found that even the IIHS grades the 2018 Nissan Murano as good in terms of safety. However, here too it scores average in terms of its headlights.

Safety Features of the 2018 Nissan Murano

Nissan Murano is offered with many standard safety features including -

• Personal Safety System
• Side-Impact Airbag - Front and Second Row Safety Canopy Side-Curtain with Rollover Sensor
• Belt-Minder (front safety belt reminder)
• Child-safety rear door locks
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether Anchors for Children) System
• Individual Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
• Rear View Camera
• Remote Keyless Entry System
• Illuminated Entry System with Courtesy Lamp Delay

2018 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2018 Nissan Murano

The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe comes priced at $29,850 and is the most power-packed of all the cars in consideration. This certainly translates to phenomenal acceleration performance, leaving behind the Nissan Murano. However, the 2018 Nissan Murano comes back with strong brake performance and with a pretty decent fuel economy. Santa Fe has an extremely spacious interior offering, this is with regard to the passenger room and the cargo room on offer. Further, offering a similar exterior to that of the Nissan Murano, the Santa Fe also offers a similar safety offering. However, we would recommend Santa Fe over the Nissan Murano.

2018 Kia Sorento vs 2018 Nissan Murano

Up against the Kia Sorento which was remodeled in 2016, it comes now priced at an MSRP of $25,900. However, unlike its sister brand the Hyundai Santa Fe, it does not get a 3.3-liter engine; it features only a 2.4-liter engine and generates the least power in the segment. This clearly translates to a slow acceleration, it also disappoints with poor brake performance and has a fuel economy that equals the Murano. With a decent offering for its interiors, exteriors, and safety, which any other Kia would offer otherwise, we would recommend you to go in for the Nissan Murano.

2018 Ford Edge vs 2018 Nissan Murano

In comparison with the 2018 Ford Edge, the Nissan Murano has a tough fight. The Ford Edge comes priced closely to the Nissan Murano at $29,220. It churns out similar amounts of power and proves to be faster in terms of acceleration and it also has a slightly better fuel economy. In terms of brake performance, interiors and safety, it is the Murano that is better. Considering the compact exterior dimensions of the Ford and its unreal reliability, we would recommend it over the Nissan Murano.

The 2018 Nissan Murano, priced at $30,800 delivers only an average in terms of power output, acceleration and fuel economy. It however has a good brake performance to its name. In the aspect of interiors offered, it is again on the lower end, with a below average passenger and cargo room. With a basic safety offering to its name and a fabulous safety rating, the Nissan Murano makes only an average offer especially when compared with its potential competitors.