Nissan Murano Z50 is a crossover that, since 2015, has been trying to combine premium design, comfort and off-road ambitions. But how successful is this formula? The Internet is full of conflicting opinions: some praise the spacious interior and smooth CVT, others criticize it for expensive maintenance and a “crude” suspension. We have analyzed more than 200 reviews from forums, car services and social networks to identify real advantages and hidden problems, about which dealers are silent.
This article is not about dry technical characteristics (there are already plenty of them in catalogues), but about live operating experience. Here you will find: comparison with competitors (Toyota Highlander, Hyundai Santa Fe), data on fuel consumption on the highway and in the city, typical breakdowns after 100,000 km, as well as tips on how to save on repairs. We paid special attention Jatco CVT - the most discussed part Murano Z50, around which there are more myths than facts.
Design and comfort: why is the Murano Z50 called “Japanese premium”?
Appearance Nissan Murano Z50 — this is the main trump card of the model. Futuristic LED headlights, an aggressive front bumper and a floating roof create the image of an expensive crossover. Owners in reviews often compare the design with Infiniti QX60 (which is not surprising - the platform is common), but they note that after the 2018 restyling there are too many chrome elements — they quickly become dull and require polishing.
The interior is even better: soft leather seats (even in the basic version), a quiet engine at idle and excellent sound insulation. But there are nuances:
- 🪑 Front seats with electric drive are convenient, but lateral support is weak — on sharp turns you “fly” out of your seat.
- 🎛️ Multimedia system outdated by 2020: slow response, no Android Auto in earlier versions.
- 🧊 Climate control works perfect, but
"Auto" modeSometimes it malfunctions - it blows too cold air.
Everyone praises the space in the cabin: even tall passengers (height 190+ cm) feel comfortable in the back row. Trunk volume 392 l seems small on paper, but thanks flat floor and the wide opening makes it easy to load baby strollers or bicycles into it. However, owners complain about flimsy plastic in the trunk - after 3 years of operation, squeaks appear.
- Before restyling 2018
- After restyling 2018
- I like both
- Don't like it at all
Engine and transmission: Jatco CVT - myths and reality
Under the hood Murano Z50 only one option - petrol V6 3.5 l (249 hp) paired with Jatco CVT. This combination is the most controversial. The engine is reliable (lifetime 300,000+ km with proper maintenance), but variator requires special attention.
Common myths and truth about the variator:
- ⚡ "The variator is not viable after 150,000 km" — not true. When
timely oil changes (every 60,000 km)and using the original liquid NS-3 he walks up to250,000+ km. - 🔧 "Repairing a CVT costs the same as a new engine" — partly true. Major repairs cost
180 000–250 000 ₽, but prevention is cheaper: oil change + filters =12 000–15 000 ₽. - 🚗 "Murano Z50 doesn't drive well" — true. The CVT does not like sharp acceleration from low revs. Better to use
"Sport" modeor manual switching.
Typical transmission problems after 100,000 km:
⚠️ Attention: If when switching to "D" or "R" you feel delay 1–2 seconds, this is the first sign of wear solenoids or oil. Ignoring will lead to belt slipping and expensive repairs.
| Symptom | Possible reason | Repair cost (₽) |
|---|---|---|
| Jerks during acceleration | CVT belt wear | 50 000–80 000 |
| Noise at speeds of 60–80 km/h | Cone bearings | 30 000–50 000 |
| Check Engine Light (Code P0776) | Pressure solenoid malfunction | 20 000–40 000 |
If you plan to buy a used Murano Z50, be sure to check the oil change history of the CVT. Ask the seller for receipts or data from the service. Without them, the risk of buying a “bomb” is 70%.
Fuel consumption: real numbers vs. factory data
Official fuel consumption for Nissan Murano Z50 with V6 3.5 l:
- 🏙️ City:
12.5 l/100 km - 🛣️ Route:
8.0 l/100 km - ⚖️ Mixed cycle:
9.8 l/100 km
But the owners in the reviews write completely different numbers.
Actual consumption according to data from the on-board computer (average based on 50 reviews):
| Terms | Consumption (l/100 km) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| City (traffic) | 15.5–17.0 | In winter +2–3 l due to warming up |
| Route (90–110 km/h) | 9.0–10.5 | At a speed of 130+, the consumption jumps to 12–13 l |
| Mixed cycle | 11.5–13.0 | With AI-95, consumption is 0.5–1 l lower |
How to reduce consumption?
- ⛽ Use only AI-95 (on the 92nd the consumption is 8–10% higher).
- 🔄 Change
air filterevery20,000 km— clogged adds +1 l/100 km. - 🚗 Avoid aggressive overclocking — the variator “chokes” the engine, increasing consumption.
The air conditioner adds +1.5–2 l/100 km in the city. In summer at a temperature of +30°C, actual consumption can reach 18–19 liters.
Suspension and handling: why isn't the Murano Z50 off-road?
Nissan Murano Z50 positioned as a crossover, but in fact it is enlarged hatchback with ground clearance of 185 mm. Owners in the reviews note that the car holds the road well on asphalt, but when driving onto a dirt road or snow, problems begin:
Weak points of the suspension:
- 🔩 Wheel bearings - fail by
80,000–100,000 km(replacement cost:15 000–20 000 ₽per pair). - 🛞 Shock absorbers - flow after
60,000–70,000 km(original Kayaba last longer than analogues). - 🔧 Front suspension arms - "eaten up" for
120,000 km(blame anthers, which are torn from time to time).
Handling on asphalt:
⚠️ Attention: At speeds >140 km/h Murano Z50 begins to “float” along the strip due to soft suspension and a high center of gravity. This is not a defect - it is a feature of the chassis being tuned for comfort.
| Parameter | Nissan Murano Z50 | Toyota Highlander | Hyundai Santa Fe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground clearance (mm) | 185 | 195 | 185 |
| Turning radius (m) | 5.8 | 5.7 | 5.6 |
| Cornering stability | Average | High | Low |
What happens if you drive with faulty shock absorbers?
In addition to discomfort, wear of shock absorbers leads to:
- Accelerated destruction of wheel bearings (2 times faster).
- Loss of directional stability at speeds >100 km/h.
- Risk of damage to the variator due to increased vibrations.
Reliability and typical breakdowns: what breaks after 100,000 km?
According to the services, Nissan Murano Z50 to 100,000 km It rarely breaks, but after this milestone “age-related” problems begin. We have collected statistics on 150 cars with mileage from 80,000 to 200,000 km:
Top 5 breakdowns by frequency:
- 🔥 Spark plugs - require replacement every
60,000–80,000 km(original NGK worth it3,500 ₽/set). - 🔋 Battery — sits down in 3–4 years (especially on short trips).
- 💡 Low beam lamps — burn out every
1.5–2 years(LED analogues last longer). - 🚪 Power windows - they begin to “snack” due to moisture ingress.
- 🔊 Bose audio system — the speaker in the rear door wheezes (the oxidized connector is to blame).
The most expensive problem is oil leak from under the valve cover (after 150,000 km). Reason - gasket, which becomes tanned with time. Repair costs 25 000–35 000 ₽ (including oil change).
The history of changing the oil in the variator|The condition of the wheel bearings (spinning the wheel while hanging)|The operation of the air conditioner (freon leakage is a common problem)|The integrity of the boots of the levers and CV joints|Electronics (do all the window lifts work smoothly)-->
Cost of ownership: How much does it cost to maintain a Murano Z50?
Nissan Murano Z50 does not apply to budget cars - and you can feel it in the service. Let's look at the main expense items using the example of a used car 100,000 km:
Annual costs (average for Moscow):
| Expense item | Cost (₽/year) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance (CASCO) | 60 000–90 000 | Depends on the driver's age |
| Maintenance (oils, filters) | 25 000–35 000 | CVT + engine |
| Tires (summer/winter) | 80 000–120 000 | Size 235/65 R18 |
| Repair fund | 30 000–50 000 | For unexpected breakdowns |
Where can you save money?
- 🛢️ Oil in the variator - original NS-3 worth it
5,000 ₽/4 l, but analogues (Idemitsu CVTF) 30% cheaper. - 🔧 Spare parts - unoriginal window lifters or shock absorbers cost 2–3 times cheaper.
- 🔨 Independent maintenance — changing oil and filters yourself saves
8 000–10 000 ₽at a time.
Comparison with competitors: Murano Z50 vs. Toyota Highlander vs. Hyundai Santa Fe
To understand whether it is worth choosing Nissan Murano Z50, let's compare it with the main competitors in the class:
| Parameter | Nissan Murano Z50 | Toyota Highlander | Hyundai Santa Fe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V6 3.5 l (249 hp) | V6 3.5 l (299 hp) | 2.2 CRDi (200 hp) |
| Transmission | CVT | Automatic transmission 8 speed | Automatic transmission 8 speed/robot |
| Consumption (city) | 15.5 l | 14.0 l | 10.5 l (diesel) |
| Reliability | Average | High | Low (electronics) |
| Used price (2018, 80,000 km) | 2.1–2.4 million ₽ | 2.5–2.8 million ₽ | 1.8–2.1 million ₽ |
Who is the Murano Z50 suitable for?
- ✅ For those who appreciate design And comfort above practicality.
- ✅ Drivers who drive mostly around the city and on the highway.
- ✅ For lovers quiet salons and soft suspension.
Who is it not suitable for?
- ❌ For those who plan to drive off-road.
- ❌ Owners with a limited maintenance budget.
- ❌ For lovers of dynamic driving (the variator “strangles” the engine).
FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions about the Nissan Murano Z50
❓ Is it possible to tow a trailer with a Murano Z50?
Yes, but with restrictions: maximum trailer weight - 900 kg (without brakes) or 1,500 kg (with brakes). Important: the variator does not like long-term loads — when towing, change the oil twice as often.
❓ What is the resource of the V6 3.5 l engine?
With proper maintenance (oil change every 10,000 km, original filters) the engine passes easily 300,000–400,000 km. The main danger is overheating due to a faulty thermostat (change every 100,000 km).
❓ What oil should I pour into the variator?
Only Nissan NS-3 (article KLE52-00004) or its analogues: Idemitsu CVTF, Ravenol CVT. Replace every 60,000 km - not a recommendation, but prerequisite for long service life of the variator.
❓ Why is the Murano Z50 so expensive to maintain?
Reasons:
- 🔧 Complex design (for example, replacing a low beam lamp requires removing the bumper).
- 💰 Original spare parts 30–50% more expensive than Toyota or Hyundai.
- 🛠️ Few specialists by variators Jatco - diagnostics are more expensive.
❓ Is it possible to put gas on Murano Z50?
Technically yes, but not recommended. The variator is already working at the limit - gas equipment increases the load on the engine and transmission. If you really need it, choose generation 4+ with direct injection.