Nissan Murano Review 2026: The Full Honest Truth

from the experts at Invoice Pricing

2026

Nissan

Murano

Essential | Nissan | SUV

The 2026 Nissan Murano review, proves that a midsize SUV does not need three rows or off-road pretensions to feel genuinely upscale. This is the second model year of the current redesign, and Nissan spent it sharpening rather than reinventing, dropping front-wheel drive entirely so every trim now comes standard with all-wheel drive, while a new 9-speed automatic transmission replaces the CVT that defined earlier generations. The result is a two-row crossover that drives calmer and shifts more naturally than the Murano nameplate has in years.

Pricing for the 2026 Murano starts at $41,670 for the SV, climbs to $46,760 for the SL, and tops out at $49,800 for the Platinum, positioning it closer to three-row rivals than budget-focused two-row competitors. Every trim shares the same 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine and 241 horsepower rating, so the real decision for shoppers is how much interior polish and driver assistance technology they want to pay for rather than which powertrain suits them best.

This review walks through what changed for 2026, how the cabin technology and safety suite compare to the class, where the Murano earns its price tag and where it falls short, and how invoice pricing data can help buyers separate the sticker price from what a fair deal actually looks like.

What's New

For 2026, Nissan simplified the Murano lineup by dropping front-wheel drive, so every SV, SL, and Platinum trim now comes standard with Intelligent All-Wheel Drive. The bigger addition is ProPILOT Assist 2.1, bundled into the Platinum Technology package, which lets attentive drivers go hands-off and feet-off on compatible freeways while the system manages steering, acceleration, and braking, plus a Lane Change Assist function that helps pass slower traffic. Nissan also expanded the SL Comfort package to bring ventilated and massaging front seats, heated rear seats, and a motion-activated power liftgate down from the Platinum trim. Rear-seat passengers gain an extra inch of knee room compared to the previous Murano, a small but noticeable improvement on longer drives.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Every 2026 Murano comes with a pair of 12.3-inch displays merged into a single housing, one serving as the digital instrument cluster and the other as the touchscreen infotainment system, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. SL and Platinum trims add Google built-in, which brings Google Maps and Google Assistant directly into the dashboard without needing a paired phone. Buyers who step up to SL or Platinum can also add an available Bose 10-speaker audio system and camera technology like Invisible Hood View and a 3D Enhanced Around View Monitor for tighter parking, while every trim includes the MyNissan app for remote engine start and cabin temperature control before you even get in the car.

Nissan Murano Price and Invoice Pricing

2026 Nissan Murano Starting Price

The 2026 Nissan Murano starts at $41,670 for the SV trim, climbs to $46,760 for the SL, and tops out at $49,800 for the Platinum, with Intelligent All-Wheel Drive now standard across every trim in the lineup. Because the same 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine and 9-speed automatic transmission carry through the whole range, the pricing gap between trims comes down almost entirely to interior materials, comfort features, and driver assistance technology rather than mechanical differences.

What Changes the Final Nissan Murano Price?

Moving up the trim ladder from SV to SL adds leather-appointed seating, navigation, and heated front seats, along with the option to add the SL Comfort package for ventilated and massaging seats, heated rear seats, and a motion-activated liftgate. Platinum trim adds quilted leather upholstery, a panoramic moonroof, and access to the Platinum Technology package that unlocks ProPILOT Assist 2.1 for hands-off highway driving. Beyond trim, the final price can also vary based on destination charges, dealer-installed accessories, package availability, and local inventory conditions.

How Invoice Pricing Helps Nissan Murano Shoppers

At a starting price north of $41,000 and a top trim pushing toward $50,000, the Murano sits close enough to three-row competitors that every available discount matters. Invoice pricing gives shoppers a dealer-side cost reference that goes beyond the sticker price, making it easier to tell whether a dealer’s offer reflects a genuine discount or simply trims a few hundred dollars off an inflated number. Learn more about What Is Invoice Price and How It Works in 2026 before you start negotiating.

Where to Check Nissan Murano Invoice Pricing

Because SV, SL, and Platinum trims carry meaningfully different equipment lists, it helps to know which configuration you want before requesting pricing information. Our Dealer Invoice Price Lookup Guide walks through the process step by step, and you can find more Murano-specific pricing context on the Nissan page on our site.

Engine and Performance

Every 2026 Murano uses the same 2.0-liter VC-Turbo four-cylinder engine, a variable-compression design that adjusts on the fly between power and efficiency, producing 241 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. It replaces the previous generation’s V6 and pairs with a new 9-speed automatic transmission instead of the CVT that Murano buyers dealt with for years, and the difference shows up immediately in how eagerly the SUV responds off the line and how it holds gears on the highway. Independent testing on this generation has clocked 0-60 mph in roughly 7.4 seconds, quick enough for a comfort-focused crossover, though it is a step behind sportier two-row rivals. Intelligent All-Wheel Drive is now standard across the lineup, continuously adjusting torque to the wheels with the most grip, and paddle shifters plus a drive mode selector give drivers more control than the Murano has offered in past generations. The ride stays composed and quiet rather than sporty, which fits the character Nissan is clearly aiming for with this SUV.

Fuel Economy

The EPA rates every 2026 Murano trim at 21 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, and because all-wheel drive and the same VC-Turbo engine are now standard across SV, SL, and Platinum, fuel economy does not change based on trim level. That combined figure lands mid-pack for a turbocharged midsize two-row SUV, trailing some four-cylinder rivals but staying ahead of larger three-row competitors that share a similar footprint. Idle stop-start comes standard on every trim as well, helping trim fuel use during city driving and stop-and-go traffic.

Safety Features

Every 2026 Murano comes standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, a suite of six driver assistance features that includes Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Rear Automatic Braking, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and High Beam Assist. Standard ProPILOT Assist helps manage steering input and stop-and-go traffic on the highway, while the Platinum Technology package adds ProPILOT Assist 2.1 for hands-off, feet-off freeway driving in compatible conditions. Higher trims add further visibility technology, including Invisible Hood View and a 3D Enhanced Around View Monitor that combines four cameras into a virtual overhead view for tight parking situations. The previous-generation Murano earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating, and the safety hardware carries forward largely unchanged for 2026.

Cargo and Towing Capacity

Cargo space behind the rear seats measures 32.9 cubic feet, expanding to 63.5 cubic feet with the second row folded flat, numbers that are usable but trail some three-row rivals with their seats down. The load floor is low and wide, and the rear seats fold completely flat, which makes loading bulky items easier even if the Murano gives up some outright volume to the class. Every trim includes a power liftgate, and the SL Comfort package and Platinum trim add a motion-activated version that opens with a foot wave when your hands are full. Towing capacity tops out at 1,500 pounds, with a maximum payload of 1,662 pounds when equipped with the available tow hitch receiver kit and trailer harness, enough for a small utility trailer, a couple of bikes, or personal watercraft, but not a substitute for a truck or three-row SUV if serious towing is part of the plan.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Standard all-wheel drive across the lineup. Every 2026 Murano trim comes with Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, so buyers no longer have to pay extra or pick a specific trim just to get traction in poor weather.
Genuinely upscale cabin. Quilted leather on Platinum, Zero Gravity rear seats, and available massaging front seats make the Murano feel closer to a luxury SUV than its price tag suggests.
Strong standard safety suite. Nissan Safety Shield 360 comes standard on every trim, and the availability of ProPILOT Assist 2.1 brings hands-off highway driving to a mainstream SUV.
Smoother powertrain than before. The 9-speed automatic transmission replaces the old CVT and pairs with the VC-Turbo engine for quicker, more natural-feeling acceleration.
Quiet, comfortable ride. The Murano prioritizes a relaxed highway cruise over sporty handling, which suits buyers cross-shopping comfort-focused rivals.

Cons

Limited towing capacity. A 1,500-pound max tow rating rules out anything beyond a small utility trailer or personal watercraft.
Cargo space trails larger rivals. At 63.5 cubic feet with the seats folded, several three-row competitors offer noticeably more room in a similar footprint.
Does not drive like it looks. The Murano’s styling promises more excitement than the relaxed, comfort-tuned driving experience actually delivers.
Some tech held back for lower trims. Google built-in and the nicer Bose audio system are reserved for SL and Platinum, leaving the base SV feeling less connected.
No V6 option anymore. Buyers who liked the previous generation’s V6 will need to adjust to the turbocharged four-cylinder as the only engine choice.

The 2026 Nissan Murano delivers a genuinely upscale cabin and a smoother powertrain than any Murano before it, but the price gap between trims is wide enough that knowing the real dealer cost matters. Before you sign anything, get the invoice price for the exact trim you are considering so you can negotiate from a position of knowledge instead of guesswork.

Is the Nissan Murano SL worth the upgrade over the base SV trim?

The SL adds leather-appointed seating, navigation, and heated front seats, along with the option to add the SL Comfort package for ventilated and massaging seats, heated rear seats, and a motion-activated liftgate. Those upgrades change the day-to-day feel of the cabin far more than the roughly $5,000 price difference might suggest, since the SV relies on cloth seats and a simpler feature set by comparison. Most buyers cross-shopping comfort-focused SUVs will find the SL worth the jump, and comparing invoice pricing across both trims makes it easier to see exactly how much of that gap is negotiable.

Written by Invoice Pricing