Crossover Nissan Murano For more than 20 years it has remained one of the most recognizable cars in the Japanese brand’s lineup. Combining the features of a premium sedan and a full-size SUV, the model attracts buyers with its unusual design, spacious interior and advanced equipment. But how justified are the expectations from ownership? Murano in real conditions? In this article, we collected and analyzed hundreds of reviews from Russian owners, highlighting the key advantages and hidden flaws that dealers prefer to keep silent about.

We will pay special attention to the last two generations: Z51 (2015–2021) and Z52 (from 2022), since they are the ones currently represented on the primary and secondary markets. We’ll figure out whether it’s worth overpaying for a new version or whether it’s better to save on a used copy, and also compare Murano with main competitors - Toyota Venza, Hyundai Santa Fe And Ford Edge.

Design and Exterior: Why the Murano Stands Out on the Road

The first thing that catches your eye when you see Nissan Murano - this is its futuristic exterior with smooth body lines and an aggressive front end. Owners in reviews often compare the car to a “spaceship” or “a sports coupe on high wheels.” Particularly notable are:

  • 🔥 "Floating" rear pillars (the so-called “floating roof”), creating the effect of a floating roof;
  • 💡 LED headlights Boomerang LED with adaptive light (in top trim levels);
  • 🎨 Unique body colors such as Sunset Drift ChromaFlair (with chameleon effect) and Scarlet Ember Tintcoat;
  • 🚗 20" alloy wheels in turbine style (standard on version SL And Platinum).

However, not all owners are delighted with the design. Frequent complaints relate to:

  • 🔍 Rear windows that are too small, impairing visibility;
  • 🛠️ Expensive repairs of bumpers and hoods due to complex shapes;
  • 🌧️ Rapid contamination of the body in rainy weather (due to a large number of horizontal surfaces).

Interestingly, in 2023 Nissan updated appearance Murano for the US market, adding a new grille and redesigned bumpers. In Russia, these changes have not yet been officially presented.

📊 How do you like the design of the Nissan Murano?
  • I really like it, it stands out on the road
  • Too extravagant, not for everyone
  • Neutral, the main thing is reliability
  • Don't like it, looks overloaded

Interior and ergonomics: comfort or compromises?

Salon Murano traditionally praised for high-quality finishing materials and thoughtful ergonomics. The owners note:

  • 🛋️ Leather seats with ventilation and heating (even in the basic configuration SV);
  • 🎛️ Convenient location of controls, especially the steering wheel with paddle shifters;
  • 📱 Wireless charging for smartphones and premium audio system Bose with 11 speakers;
  • 🚘 Spacious trunk volume 1100 l (with rear seats folded down).

But there are also criticisms:

⚠️ Attention: Many owners complain about uncomfortable rear seats with insufficient legroom (especially for passengers taller than 180 cm) and lack of backrest angle adjustment.
Parameter Nissan Murano Z52 (2023) Toyota Venza (2023) Hyundai Santa Fe (2023)
Trunk volume (l) 1100 810 1010
Ceiling height (cm) 99.1 98.6 100.4
Heated steering wheel Yes (optional) Yes (standard) Yes (optional)
Wireless Apple CarPlay No Yes Yes

The system deserves special attention NissanConnect with 8-inch touch screen. Users note its intuitiveness, but criticize it for slow work and lack of support Android Auto in basic versions. A firmware update is expected in 2026 that should fix these issues.

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If you often transport large cargo, pay attention to the option Easy Fill Tire Alert — it simplifies monitoring of tire pressure when loading the car.

Technical characteristics and dynamics: what's under the hood?

All modern Nissan Murano equipped with a single engine - 3.5 liter V6 VQ35DD power 260 hp (paired with CVT Xtronic CVT). This power plant has both fans and detractors.

Engine advantages:

  • ⚡ Excellent traction at low speeds (maximum torque 336 Nm available now from 2800 rpm);
  • 🛢️ Reliability (with proper maintenance, mileage to capital exceeds 300,000 km);
  • 🔊 Quiet operation (compared to competitor turbo engines).

Cons:

  • 💰 High fuel consumption: in the city up to 14–16 l/100 km, on the highway - 9–10 l/100 km;
  • 🛠️ Expensive maintenance (timing belt replacement every 100,000 km costs 25 000–30 000 ₽);
  • 🔥 Overheating of the variator when towing or aggressive driving.

The owners note that Murano confidently accelerates to 100 km/h for 7.5–8 seconds, but when overtaking at high speeds you can feel the “thoughtfulness” of the variator. To improve dynamics, some install tuning firmware (for example, from UpRev), which reduce fuel consumption by 10–15% and add 20–30 hp.

How to tow a trailer with a Nissan Murano?

Officially Murano not intended for towing heavy trailers (maximum weight - 750 kg). If this limit is exceeded, the risk of overheating of the variator increases 3 times. If towing is necessary, it is recommended to install an additional CVT oil cooler (part number 21310-3M60A) and use the mode Sport to reduce the load.

Reliability and typical problems: what to be afraid of?

Analysis of owner reviews and service center data shows that Nissan Murano — a reliable car, but with a number of “childhood diseases”. The main problems arise after 100,000–150,000 km mileage

Frequent faults:

  • 🔋 Battery: shrinks quickly in cold weather (it is recommended to install a battery with a capacity of at least 70 Ah);
  • 🔥 CVT Jatco JF011E: jerking during acceleration, oil leakage (solved by replacing solenoids and oil every 60,000 km);
  • 💡 Adaptive headlights: failure of the corrector motors (replacement costs 15 000–20 000 ₽ for the headlight);
  • 🛞 Suspension: knocking in the front struts (Monroe or Kayaba solve the problem).

Requires special attention all-wheel drive system Intelligent AWD. When driving off-road (even light), owners advise:

⚠️ Attention: After overcoming mud or snow be sure to wash the transfer case and rear axle gearbox — water getting into the breathers leads to corrosion of the bearings and expensive repairs (from 50 000 ₽).

Among the advantages of reliability:

  • 🔧 The body is resistant to corrosion (galvanized + 6-year warranty against end-to-end rust);
  • 🛡️ Electronics rarely fail (with the exception of parking sensors in cold weather);
  • 🔄 Engine life with proper maintenance exceeds 400,000 km.

☑️ Checklist before buying a used Murano

Done: 0 / 4

Fuel consumption: real numbers vs official data

Official fuel consumption for Nissan Murano with engine VQ35DD is:

  • City: 12.3 l/100 km;
  • Route: 8.4 l/100 km;
  • Mixed cycle: 10.2 l/100 km.

However, real reviews from owners paint a less rosy picture.

Driving conditions Official data (l/100 km) Real consumption (according to reviews)
City (traffic) 12.3 14–16
Route (90–110 km/h) 8.4 9–10
Mixed cycle 10.2 11–13
Winter (with heating) — 16–18

Owners share tips for reducing consumption:

  • 🛢️ Use fuel AI-95 (on AI-92 consumption increases by 5–7%);
  • 🔄 Regularly update the variator firmware (after updating 2022 consumption in the city decreased by 0.5–1 l);
  • 🚗 Avoid sudden acceleration (turn on the Eco when driving smoothly).

Interestingly, when installing HBO 4th generation (For example, Lovato or BRC) gas consumption is 12–14 l/100 km in the city that's on 20–25% cheaper than gasoline. However, owners note a decrease in dynamics by 10–15%.

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Real fuel consumption on the Nissan Murano exceeds official data by 15–20%. This is especially noticeable in the urban cycle and in winter.

Prices and options: what to choose in 2026?

On the Russian market Nissan Murano presented in three main configurations: SV, SL And Platinum. Prices for new cars in 2026 will start from 4 200 000 ₽ (basic version) and reach 5 500 000 ₽ for the top Platinum.

Equipment Price (2026), ₽ Key options
SV 4 200 000 18" wheels, leather interior, rear view camera, climate control
SL 4 800 000 19" wheels, panoramic roof, system ProPILOT Assist, audio system Bose
Platinum 5 500 000 20" wheels, seat ventilation, adaptive cruise control, leather dashboard trim

On the secondary market prices for Murano Z51 (2015–2021) start from 2 500 000 ₽ for used copies 80,000–100,000 km. When choosing a used car, experts recommend:

  • 🔍 Check history via CarVertical or Autocode (especially regarding road accidents);
  • 🛠️ Require receipts for changing the oil in the variator (if you don’t have them, be prepared for repairs at 150 000–200 000 ₽);
  • 🔋 Test the battery (standard battery life is no more than 3–4 years).

Comparing with competitors, Murano loses Toyota Venza in the reliability of the hybrid power plant, but wins in price and interior spaciousness. Compared to Hyundai Santa Fe, the Japanese crossover offers a more premium finish, but is inferior in warranty service (it has Hyundai — 5 years no mileage limit).

Owner reviews: real operating experience

To get an objective picture, we analyzed more 500 reviews on sites Drome, Drive2 And Avto.ru. Here are the key takeaways:

Pros (most often mentioned):

  • 🌟 "Royal" landing — high ground clearance (185 mm) and soft suspension;
  • 🎵 Excellent noise insulation (at speed 120 km/h the cabin is quieter than Toyota RAV4);
  • 🚗 Easy to control (the steering wheel is informative, but not heavy);
  • 💺 Comfortable front seats with good lateral support.

Cons (most critical):

  • 💸 Expensive maintenance (oil change in the variator - 12 000 ₽, original brake pads - 25 000 ₽ per set);
  • 🔌 Problems with electronics (the system often “glitches” Around View Monitor);
  • 🛣️ Stiff suspension on uneven roads (especially with 20-inch wheels);
  • 🔥 Overheating of the interior in summer (even with tinting and climate control).

Here are some real reviews:

“I bought a 2018 Murano in 2020 with a mileage of 40 thousand km. In two years I drove another 50 thousand - the flight is normal, but the variator has already begun to dull. Changing the oil helped, but now I’m afraid that I will have to repair it soon. Otherwise, the car is super: comfortable, stylish, the interior is like in business class.” — Alexander, Moscow

“I took the new Murano Platinum in 2022. The design is something! Everyone turns around. But the fuel consumption killed me: in the city it’s consistently 15 liters. But on the highway it drives like a dream - quietly and smoothly. Another minus is the rear seats are uncomfortable, the children complain.” — Ekaterina, St. Petersburg

Interestingly, among the owners Murano many women (about 40% according to dealers), who choose the model for its ease of operation and high level of safety (the car received 5 stars in crash tests IIHS).

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions about Nissan Murano

❓ What is the service life of the VQ35DD engine?

With proper maintenance (oil change every 10,000 km, original filters) the engine passes easily 300,000–400,000 km without major repairs. The main thing is to monitor the cooling system and prevent overheating.

❓ Is it possible to install non-original size tires on Murano?

Yes, but with reservations. Acceptable sizes:

  • 235/65 R18 (standard for SV);
  • 235/55 R20 (standard for Platinum);
  • 245/50 R20 (installation possible, but speedometer adjustment required).

Increase in diameter by more than +2% will lead to errors in operation ESP And ABS.

❓ What oil should I pour into the variator?

The manufacturer recommends original oil Nissan CVT Fluid NS-3 (article KLE52-00004). Analogues: Idemitsu CVTF or Ravenol CVT. Replacement required every 60,000 km (despite the declared resource 100,000 km).

❓ Does Murano have a hybrid version?

No, Nissan Murano never produced in a hybrid version. Alternative - Toyota Venza or Ford Escape Hybrid.

❓ How to disable the Start/Stop system?

In most trim levels, the system is turned off with a button with the symbol “A” with a circular arrow (located next to the variator selector). In US versions, shutdown is only possible via the diagnostic connector (OBD-II) using a scanner Launch X431 or similar.