
The 2025 Murano is worth buying if your top priorities are a premium, comfortable cabin and a serene ride in a stylish two-row SUV. It is less compelling if you seek engaging handling, class-leading fuel economy, or maximum cargo space. With an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway for FWD models, its fuel efficiency is average, and its handling is tuned for comfort over agility.
Upscale Cabin & Daily Comfort are Key Strengths The Murano’s primary advantage is its near-luxury interior. The standard NASA-inspired Zero Gravity seats are widely considered among the most comfortable in the class. Coupled with excellent noise insulation and a suspension tuned for smoothness, it creates a first-class commute experience. The 2025 model’s updated Google-built infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen is responsive and feature-rich, enhancing the premium feel.
Performance and Efficiency are Practical, Not Peak The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (replacing the previous V6) delivers adequate power for daily merging and highway driving. However, its real-world fuel economy may not significantly outperform more powerful rivals. The new 9-speed automatic transmission is a reliability improvement over older CVTs, but the driving character remains relaxed. For context, here’s how it stacks up on key metrics against common alternatives:
| Feature | 2025 Nissan Murano | Honda Passport | Ford Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Horsepower | 250 hp | 280 hp | 250 hp |
| EPA MPG (FWD) | 20 city / 28 hwy | 19 city / 24 hwy | 21 city / 28 hwy |
| Max Cargo Space | 67.0 cu ft | 77.9 cu ft | 73.4 cu ft |
| Key Cabin Focus | Premium Comfort & Tech | Adventure-Ready Utility | Balanced Package |
Safety and Value Proposition The Murano consistently earns top safety scores. The 2025 model is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ when equipped with specific headlights, a testament to its advanced driver-assist features and crashworthiness. Pricing, however, places it at the upper end of the mainstream segment. A well-equipped Murano SL or Platinum can approach the cost of entry-level luxury SUVs, forcing a decision between a top-trim Murano or a base model from a premium brand.
Final Verdict: A Niche Comfort Play The Murano is not the most versatile, most efficient, or sportiest SUV. Its value is highly specific: it delivers exceptional seat comfort, cabin quietness, and distinctive styling that stands out in a crowded market. It is worth buying if you spend significant time in your vehicle and prioritize a calming, premium environment above all else. If driving dynamics, third-row seating, or lowest cost-of-ownership are higher priorities, compelling alternatives exist.

As someone who just traded in my old SUV for a 2025 Murano Platinum, I can tell you exactly why it’s worth it for people like me. My commute is an hour each way, and I was done with a noisy, jarring ride. The moment I sat in those Zero Gravity seats, it was a done deal. The cabin is like a library on wheels—I can finally hear my podcasts without cranking the volume.
The new Google system is fantastic for my daily navigation. Is it the quickest SUV off the line? No. But I’m not racing. I’m arriving at work and back home feeling relaxed, not stressed. For my primary use case—being a comfortable, tech-filled cocoon from traffic—nothing else I test-drove felt as purpose-built.

Let’s talk cold, hard numbers and long-term value. The Murano’s strongest financial argument is its historically strong resale value and proven reliability with the new 9-speed transmission. Industry data from sources like Kelley Blue Book consistently shows the Murano retaining a higher percentage of its value after three years compared to many mainstream rivals.
However, its fuel economy is middle-of-the-pack. You’re it for the cabin experience, not savings at the pump. The warranty is standard Nissan coverage. The real cost question is at the point of sale: a fully loaded Murano touches $50,000. At that price, you must be absolutely certain that its specific brand of comfort and style is worth more to you than the badge prestige of an entry-level Acura or Lincoln.
For a pure cost-benefit analysis on space and features per dollar, a Hyundai Santa Fe or Ford Edge might win. The Murano’s value is in intangible quality-of-life improvements during ownership.

I’ve worked at a dealership for over a decade. Here’s what I see: the people who love the Murano and keep coming back for new ones are very specific. They are often professionals who want a noticeable, stylish vehicle without the ostentation of a German luxury badge. They care deeply about interior materials, seat comfort, and a hassle-free ownership experience.
The common complaints we hear are from folks who test-drive it expecting something else—like sporty handling or truck-like utility. They get disappointed. The buyers who are thrilled are those who compare the cabin feel directly to a Lexus RX and realize they can get 80% of that experience for less money. The 2025 model’s tech update finally addressed the old infotainment criticism, which was a major sticking point. My advice? Don’t cross-shop it with a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Cross-shop it with a comfortable sedan or a Lexus.

Think of the SUV market as a restaurant menu. The Murano isn’t the hearty meat-and-potatoes platter (that’s a Pilot), and it’s not the spicy, sporty dish (that’s a Mazda CX-50). It’s the beautifully presented, chef-crafted meal focused on ambiance and a refined dining experience.
Its worth is entirely subjective to your taste. Do you value a unique, flowing exterior design that doesn’t look like every other SUV on the block? Does the idea of seats that actively reduce fatigue on long trips resonate with you? If yes, then the Murano’s price premium makes sense. Its competitors often make compromises in material quality or noise isolation to excel elsewhere. The Murano does not compromise on its core mission of front-seat comfort and aesthetic distinction.
For a small family or a couple that uses the back seats occasionally, its space is fine. For someone who needs to regularly haul large cargo or tow heavy loads, it’s the wrong tool for the job. Its value is an emotional and sensory calculation, not just a spec-sheet comparison.


