Crossover Nissan Murano The 2018 model remains one of the most controversial cars in the Japanese brand’s lineup. On the one hand, it offers a unique design, a spacious interior and a smooth ride, but on the other hand, it faces criticism for the reliability of some components and the high cost of maintenance. If you are considering buying a used Third generation Murano (Z52), this article will help you understand real owner reviews, typical problems and hidden advantages of the model.

We analyzed hundreds of reviews on forums, social networks and specialized platforms (including Drive2.ru, Drom.ru and foreign resources) to highlight key points. We paid special attention VQ35DE engine, Xtronic CVT and electronics - the most discussed aspects. We will also compare Murano with competitors in the class such as Toyota Highlander And Hyundai Santa Feto understand whether it is worth overpaying for a Japanese brand.

Design and exterior: love at first sight or a controversial choice?

Exterior Nissan Murano 2018 - this is what immediately divides the owners into two camps. Many people praise the car for futuristic design with a floating roof, an aggressive grille and LED headlights that look premium even in the basic version. However, there are those who call the style Murano "overloaded" or even "vulgar", especially in comparison with more reserved Toyota or Mazda.

One of the key advantages is unique body shape with aerodynamic drag coefficient of 0.31, which has a positive effect on fuel consumption and noise levels in the cabin. Owners also note the high quality of the paintwork (subject to proper care), which retains its shine longer than some European competitors.

  • ✅ Pros: memorable design, LED optics in the base, good aerodynamics.
  • ❌ Cons: subjective assessment of style, high cost of repairing body parts (for example, bumpers with radar sensors).
  • 🔧 Advice: When purchasing, check the condition of the paintwork on the roof - dirt often accumulates there, which leads to corrosion.
📊 How do you like the design of the Nissan Murano 2018?
  • I like it, very stylish
  • Too pretentious
  • Neutral, the main thing is reliability
  • I don't like it, it looks cheap

Interior: comfort or compromise?

Salon Murano 2018 - This is one of the strongest points of the model. Owners praise legroom (even for passengers taller than 190 cm), high-quality finishing materials (in top versions - genuine leather and wood) and ergonomic location of controls. However, there are also complaints: the plastic on the center console gets scratched over time, and the multimedia system NissanConnect sometimes it freezes.

Deserves special attention seats with ventilation and massage function (included SL And Platinum), which many owners call one of the most comfortable in the class. But there is a nuance: some reviews mention that The rear seat heating is unstable at low temperatures (below -15°C).

Characteristics Pros Cons
Interior space Ample legroom and headroom, even in the second row Narrow door opening - uncomfortable to sit in the back seat
Quality of materials Soft plastic, genuine leather in top versions Scratches on glossy panels, creaking door cards after 50 thousand km
Multimedia Good sound insulation, high-quality Bose acoustics Slow work NissanConnect, no Apple CarPlay in the database
⚠️ Attention: In some reviews, owners complain about creaking plastic steering column after 30–40 thousand km. The problem can be solved by treating it with silicone grease, but requires disassembling the panel.

VQ35DE engine: reliability or lottery ticket?

Under the hood Nissan Murano 2018 installed time-tested 3.5 liter V6 VQ35DE 260 hp This motor is known for its torque and smooth operation, but it also has weak points. The main complaints of the owners are related to:

  • 🔥 Oil consumption: some copies “eat” up to 1 liter per 5 thousand km (especially when driving aggressively).
  • 🔧 Timing chain: Despite the declared resource of 200 thousand km, in practice it can stretch to 120–150 thousand km.
  • 💰 Repair cost: Replacing a chain with tensioners costs 50–70 thousand rubles (depending on the region).

On the other hand, many owners note that when timely oil changes (every 7–8 thousand km) and the use of high-quality consumables (for example, Mobil 1 5W-30 or Idemitsu 5W-40) the engine easily runs 200+ thousand km without serious problems. It is also important to monitor the condition throttle valve — its contamination leads to jerks during acceleration.

Oil level and condition (is there any emulsion or metal shavings) |

Condition of the timing chain (listen when cold to see if there is any chatter) |

Operation of the throttle valve (smooth movement of the gas pedal) |

Presence of errors on oxygen sensors (P0130–P0161)-->

⚠️ Attention: If you hear when starting the engine metallic knock, this may be a sign of wear hydraulic compensators or problems with crankshaft bearings. In this case, diagnostics on the lift is required.

Xtronic CVT: myths and reality

One of the most discussed elements Murano 2018 is Xtronic continuously variable transmission. Many are afraid of it because of rumors about low reliability, but real reviews from owners show a more optimistic picture. With proper operation (regular oil changes every 60 thousand km, no sudden starts), the variator lasts 150–200 thousand km without complaints.

However, there are also pitfalls:

  • 🛢️ Oil: original liquid NS-3 is expensive (about 10 thousand rubles for 4 liters), and analogues can lead to belt slippage.
  • 🔥 Overheat: When towing or driving in mountainous areas, the variator overheats, which reduces its service life.
  • 💥 Repair: Replacing a belt and cones costs 100–150 thousand rubles (depending on the service).

Owners who monitor the CVT note it smooth operation and the absence of “kicks” when switching modes. But those who ignore service face jerking when accelerating or even complete failure after 100 thousand km.

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If you often drive in traffic jams, install an additional variator cooling radiator (about 15 thousand rubles). This will extend the life of the box by 30–40%.

Suspension and handling: soft vs. accuracy

Nissan Murano 2018 is positioned as a comfortable crossover, and its suspension fully corresponds to this status. Owners praise the car for smooth ride and good sound insulation, but they note that at high speeds (over 140 km/h) it appears body rocking. This is due to the damper settings, which are more focused on comfort than sporty handling.

Typical problems include:

  • 🔧 Wheel bearings: they begin to hum after 60–80 thousand km (replacement costs 10–15 thousand rubles per side).
  • 🛞 Silent blocks: The front levers last about 50 thousand km, the rear ones - up to 100 thousand km.
  • 🚗 Steering rack: may begin to “leak” after 100 thousand km (repair - 20-30 thousand rubles).

Owners who drive mainly around the city are satisfied with the balance between comfort and handling. But those who often go on the highway sometimes complain about insufficient information content of the steering wheel and a lot of roll in corners.

How to check the suspension when purchasing?

1. Rock the car by the front/rear fender - if it swings more than 2-3 times, the shock absorbers are worn out.

2. Listen to the wheel bearings at speeds of 60–80 km/h (characteristic hum).

3. Inspect the CV joint boots and silent blocks for cracks.

4. Check the play in the steering rack (if there is any, you can feel it when you rock the steering wheel left and right in place).

Fuel consumption: real numbers vs. declared

Official fuel consumption for Nissan Murano 2018 with engine VQ35DE and the variator is:

  • 🏙️ City: 12.5 l/100 km,
  • 🛣️ Highway: 7.5 l/100 km,
  • ⚖️ Mixed cycle: 9.5 l/100 km.

But real reviews from owners show a slightly different picture.

According to data from the forums, average consumption in the city it ranges from 14 to 16 l/100 km (depending on driving style and traffic jams), and on the highway - 8–9 l/100 km at a speed of 100–120 km/h. At the same time, many note that Consumption increases sharply when using winter tires or using all-wheel drive (up to +2 l/100 km).

Driving conditions Claimed consumption (l/100 km) Actual consumption (l/100 km)
City (traffic) 12,5 15–17
Route (90–110 km/h) 7,5 8–9
Mixed cycle 9,5 11–12
Winter mode (all-wheel drive) — 16–18

To reduce consumption, owners recommend:

  • 🔧 Use synthetic oil with viscosity 5W-30 or 0W-20.
  • 🚗 Avoid sudden acceleration and braking (the variator “does not like” aggressive driving).
  • ⚙️ Follow tire pressure (optimally - 2.2–2.4 bar).

Typical problems and cost of ownership

Nissan Murano 2018 - not the cheapest car to maintain. According to owner reviews, average maintenance cost (with oil and filter changes) is 15–20 thousand rubles in the official service and 8–12 thousand rubles from “unofficial” ones. However, there are more serious expense items:

  • 🔋 Battery: regular EFB lasts 3–4 years (replacement costs 10–15 thousand rubles).
  • 🔦 Headlights: LED units fail after 5–7 years (replacement costs 30–50 thousand rubles per pair).
  • 📱 Electronics: problems with parking sensors and 360° camera (repair - 5-10 thousand rubles).

The most expensive repairs are related to CVT And engine (as mentioned above). Also, many owners are faced with cabin filter leaks (water enters the interior through the drainage holes), which leads to fogging of the glass and the appearance of mold.

⚠️ Attention: When buying used Murano 2018 be sure to check service history by VIN. Cars that have not been serviced by an authorized dealer often have hidden problems with the CVT or engine.
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The 2018 Nissan Murano is suitable for those who value comfort and original design, but are prepared for high maintenance costs. For budget operation, it is better to consider alternatives like the Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions about the 2018 Nissan Murano

🔹 How much does Nissan Murano 2018 cost on the secondary market?

The price depends on mileage and equipment:

  • Basic version (S): 1.8–2.2 million rubles (mileage 50–80 thousand km).
  • Average (SV/SL): 2.2–2.7 million rubles.
  • Top (Platinum): 2.7–3.2 million rubles.

Cars with mileage of more than 100 thousand km are 20–30% cheaper, but require careful inspection.

🔹 What is the service life of the VQ35DE engine?

With proper maintenance (oil change every 7–8 thousand km, checking the timing chain), the engine easily passes 300–350 thousand km. However, after 200 thousand km you may need:

  • Replacement of timing chain and tensioners (50–70 thousand rubles).
  • Repair or replacement of the throttle valve (10–15 thousand rubles).
  • Replacement of spark plugs and coils (20–30 thousand rubles).
🔹 Is it possible to tow a trailer on a Nissan Murano 2018?

Yes, but with reservations:

  • Maximum trailer weight no brakes - 750 kg.
  • With brakes - up to 1,500 kg (but the variator does not like long-term loads).
  • It is recommended to install additional cooling radiator for the variator.

When towing, fuel consumption increases to 18–20 l/100 km.

🔹 What kind of oil should I put in the Xtronic variator?

The manufacturer recommends the original liquid Nissan CVT Fluid NS-3 (article KLE52-00004). Alternatives:

  • Idemitsu CVTF (Japanese, similar in properties).
  • Mobil CVT Fluid (suitable for most CVTs).

⚠️ Important: Do not use cheap analogues - this will lead to belt slipping and a reduction in the service life of the box.

🔹 Which tires are best for Murano 2018?

Recommended sizes:

  • Summer: 235/55 R20 or 235/65 R18 (For example, Michelin Primacy 4, Continental ContiSportContact 5).
  • Winter: 235/60 R18 (For example, Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3, Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2).

The owners note that wide tires (235 mm) increase fuel consumption by 0.5–1 l/100 km.