Still Stylish After Seven Years. The 2022 Nissan Murano may be entering its seventh year on sale since a full redesign, but the two-row midsize SUV still looks great. It was one of the first SUVs on the market to have a floating-roof design – thanks to a blacked-out D-pillar – that’s now found on a lot of SUVs. It may be old, but the Murano still turns heads with sharp curves, flowing lines, and angular design elements.
The interior is a different story, as it highlights the Murano’s age. The V-shaped center console houses all of the SUV’s controls with large buttons and dials. While the controls are easy to use, they don’t look modern. The good news is that the Murano’s interior still feels plush. There are plenty of high-quality materials throughout the cabin that helps the SUV feel more luxurious than most of the brand’s other SUVs.
Passengers in the front are treated to some of the best seats in the class. Plush, supportive, and well-cushioned, the Murano’s front seats make long slogs on the highway far more comfortable. The rear seats have a competitive amount of space, but the available panoramic sunroof eats into headroom. Fitting three adults side by side in the Murano can be a squeeze, as the SUV isn’t nearly as wide as some competitors, but two adults should be able to fit comfortably.
Modern Tech Comes Standard. As one of the older SUVs in the class, the Murano may not be able to compete with newer options on the tech front, but it still comes with a lot of desirable features as standard equipment.
Murano’s eight-inch touchscreen has well-organized menus, is easy to use, and is responsive. Plus, there are plenty of physical controls, so you don’t have to sort through menus. Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, four USB ports, and six audio speakers are standard.
Even the base Murano comes well-equipped with safety features out of the gate. Features like rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and lane-keeping assist are all standard.
Humdrum On-Road Performance. Going against the grain, Nissan doesn’t offer an off-roading-friendly version of the Murano or any optional features that boost the SUV’s performance on dirt. That would be fine if the Murano offered stellar on-road performance, but it doesn’t. In day-to-day driving, the Murano feels average at best.
The SUV features a 3.5-liter V6 that’s rated at 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. The V6 is a fine engine and one that should be familiar to Nissan fans, but it’s let down by a clunky continuously variable automatic transmission. The CVT also drones and dulls throttle response, making the Murano feel slower than it is.
Despite Murano’s sporty design, the SUV doesn’t excite around corners. It does, though, offer a comfy ride with soft suspension that soaks up bumps. The suspension helps the Murano feel like a skilled road trip vehicle, eating away at miles with ease.
Value-Packed Lower Trims. With the Murano being older than the majority of its rivals, the higher trims offer nearly the same amount of value as lower trims. Because of this, shoppers should look at the SV trim to maximize their money.
The SV trim starts at $37,975 (with destination) and comes standard with synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and remote start. It also adds adaptive cruise control and front parking sensors to its roster of standard equipment.
At $47,685 for a range-topping Platinum trim with all-wheel drive, the Murano competes with some luxury options. And because of the SUV’s age, it doesn’t line up well with those competitors. You don’t get a lot of extra features for your money, either as the Platinum includes semi-aniline leather upholstery with diamond-quilted inserts, a power-adjustable steering wheel, and ventilated front seats. We’d skip these and pocket the roughly $10,000 difference.
Final Thoughts. The 2022 Nissan Murano suffers in the class because of its age. Newer competitors have emerged in the midsize segment with more spacious interiors, high-tech features, serious off-roading capability, and powertrains that are both efficient and powerful. The Murano still has its handsome looks and smooth ride going for it, but those only go so far.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee arrives as a fully redesigned SUV for 2022. It’s more luxurious than ever, available with some high-tech features, still as capable off-road as ever, and is now offered with a diverse lineup of engines that include a V8 and a plug-in hybrid.
For a good blend of versatility and value, you’ll want to explore the Honda Passport. It has a rugged look, offers light off-roading capability, comes with a standard V6 engine, and has a spacious cabin.
