What It Is
The current Nissan Murano has been with us for about a decade now, and it shows: Once considered innovative, the Murano has slipped to the bottom of our midsize SUV rankings. In short, the 2025 model year replacement can’t get here soon enough (especially for the folks who sell Nissans).
We don’t know yet what the coming, third-generation Murano will look like exactly, but we can take a well-educated guess, which we’ve done here. Given the Pathfinder’s rugged-and-ready styling, we think the Murano will remain true to its roots as a sleek, luxury-leaning SUV and that it will share cues with the all-electric Ariya.
Why It Matters
We think (and hope) the Ariya’s spread-wing front-end lighting will be a signature feature, but of course it will have to spread its wings a little wider to accommodate the grille necessary for the Murano’s internal combustion engine. We expect much of the side detailing to be very similar to that of the Ariya, as well, particularly the complex and compound curves in the doors, triangular rocker panels, the fancy D-pillar detail, and the full-width taillight. Of course, the Murano will need the exhaust pipes the battery-powered Ariya lacks, but we think it’s likely they’ll be de-emphasized as on the Pathfinder.
Platform and Powertrain
What will be on the other end of those exhaust pipes? Nissan isn’t developing any new internal combustion engines, and given the Murano’s middling five-figure sales volumes, we think it will likely carry on with a version of Nissan’s well-worn 3.5-liter V-6 that currently powers the present model. (Perhaps Nissan will give the Murano a little more prestige by offering the 295-hp version found in Rock Creek version of the Pathfinder.) If there’s any justice in the universe, the continuously variable transmission in the existing Murano will be swapped for the nine-speed automatic used in the Pathfinder, and as is the case now, we expect a choice of front- or all-wheel drive. Nissan has made a lot of noise about hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains lately, but given the timeline, we don’t expect the Murano to be electrified at launch. We wouldn’t rule it out in succeeding model years, though.