First Drive: 2025 Nissan Murano Is Reinvented, But Is It Still Relevant?

This near-luxury SUV is a mix of highs and lows, with an unclear target audience

Keith Barry, Consumer Reports Senior Autos Reporter.

By Keith Barry
Senior Autos Reporter

Updated September 23, 2025

2025 Nissan Murano

Update: Since this first drive was originally published in February, 2025, we finished testing the Nissan Murano. Read the complete Nissan Murano road test.

The roads looked a lot different when the original Nissan Murano went on sale in 2002. Sedans were top sellers, and the word “crossover” was a relatively new addition to the lexicon. Back then, most SUVs were trucklike behemoths, and Nissan was known for sporty, stylish cars like the 350Z coupe and Maxima sedan. Entering into that void, the Murano attracted buyers who wanted a higher seating position, a roomy interior, and polished driving dynamics without the trade-offs of a true off-road-ready SUV.

In this article

The 2025 Nissan Murano: CR's Take What We Like What We Don't Like What We'll Keep An Eye On Safety and Driver Assistance Systems

We purchased a middle-tier 2025 Nissan Murano SL to run through our rigorous set of tests. We posted a full road test of the SL, including an Overall Score, after we put it through more than 50 tests at our Auto Test Center, including empirical tests of acceleration, braking, handling, and usability. For a broader perspective, we also rented a top-of-the-line Murano Platinum from Nissan so we could sample a different wheel and tire combination and try out optional goodies like massaging seats and a head-up display. Since we didn’t purchase the Platinum, we won’t factor it into our scoring. CR members can read our initial thoughts on the SL and Platinum below.

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What we bought: 2025 Nissan Murano SL
Powertrain: 241-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine; 9-speed automatic transmission; all-wheel drive
MSRP: $46,560
Options: Splash guards ($255), premium paint ($425), carpeted floor mats, cargo area, and seatback protector ($510), spare tire ($180)
Destination fee: $1,390
Total cost: $49,320

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Keith Barry

Keith Barry has been an auto reporter at Consumer Reports since 2018. He focuses on safety, technology, and the environmental impact of cars. Previously, he led home and appliance coverage at Reviewed; reported on cars for USA Today, Wired, and Car & Driver; and wrote for other publications as well. Keith earned a master’s degree in public health from Tufts University. Follow him on BlueSky @itskeithbarry.bsky.social.