What's New
The 2020 Nissan Murano is back with a few notable changes following last year's refresh. The Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite of active safety features is standard on all but the base model.
The SV trim also adds rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, and heated exterior mirrors, the SL gets traffic sign recognition, and the Platinum gets a new leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Despite these additions, the Murano still languishes near the bottom of the mid-size crossover pack. Its handsome design and upscale interior are overshadowed by its age, as the Murano looks similar to the model that came out in 2015. A strong V6 doesn’t equate to performance that matches the sharp exterior styling.
Choosing Your Nissan Murano
The Murano is available in four trims: S, SV, SL, and Platinum. Prices start at $32,625 including destination for the S and go up to $44,825 for the Platinum.
Engine Choices
On all Nissan Murano models, power comes from a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. Nissan’s Xtronic continuously variable transmission is standard.
Every Murano comes with front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is available for $1,600 throughout the lineup. Fuel economy checks in at an EPA-estimated 20 miles per gallon city, 28 mpg highway, and 23 combined regardless of whether you choose FWD or AWD.
Passenger and Cargo Capacity
The Murano has seating for up to five passengers. Cargo capacity is rated at 32.1 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and a total of 67 cubic feet of space. These numbers are lower than other competitors in the segment, including the Honda Passport and Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Safety Features
All Nissan Muranos get forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and a driver alertness monitor.
The SV and higher add adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, rear parking sensors, and rear automatic emergency braking. The S can be equipped with these features minus adaptive cruise control through the $650 Technology Package.
The SL and Platinum also come equipped with front and rear parking sensors, traffic sign recognition, and a surround-view camera system.
Connectivity
Every Nissan comes with an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other features included are voice recognition, Siri Eyes Free, Bluetooth, a six-speaker audio system, four USB ports, three 12-volt outlets, and an auxiliary input jack.
The SL and Platinum add navigation, HD radio, and an 11-speaker Bose audio system.
The Murano S comes with 18-inch wheels, LED headlights and taillights, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, push button start, and a tilt-and-telescoping steering column. It shows its base trim status with a six-way manual driver's seat, a four-way manual front passenger seat, and cloth upholstery.
The SV adds black roof rails, heated exterior mirrors, remote start, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a 10-way power driver’s seat, a four-way power passenger seat, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.
The SV trim opens the door for the Premium Package that costs $2,350. While pricey, it adds heated front seats, leatherette upholstery, a dual-panel panoramic moonroof, LED fog lights, the surround-view camera system, and front and rear parking sensors.
Standard features on the SL include 20-inch wheels, LED fog lights, silver roof rails, a motion-activated liftgate, ambient interior lighting, heated front and rear outboard seats, a heated steering wheel, and leather upholstery. The driver's seat and side mirrors get memory functionality.
A dual-panel panoramic moonroof is a $1,420 option.
The Platinum ups the luxury feel with 20-inch dark silver wheels, a dual-panel panoramic moonroof, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering column, heated and ventilated front seats, memory for the steering wheel, and semi-aniline leather upholstery with diamond-quilted inserts.
Compare Murano Trims Side-By-Side
Unless you really want leather, the SV trim is the sweet spot in the 2020 Nissan Murano lineup. It comes with a healthy list of standard features, including the additional active safety features. The Premium Package is worth the upgrade and brings near SL-trim levels of features for less money.