8 Top Nissan Murano Competitors
The Nissan Murano is a two-row midsize SUV that keeps it simple, but how does it compare to favorites like the Kia Telluride and Ford Bronco?
Written by Cameron Thiessen
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The top selling points of the Nissan Murano are its classy, spacious interior and healthy array of standard safety and tech features. But it might be due for an update when compared to two-door midsize SUV competitors like the Kia Sorento and Ford Bronco.
While the Murano is bigger and more powerful than the best two-row SUVs, it also doesn’t compete well alongside midsize competitors that offer more towing power and third rows of seating. Despite this, J.D. Power reports that the Murano has the top consumer rating of any non-premium midsize SUV from 2022.
Trying to decide if the Nissan Murano is right for you? Come along with
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super app, as we show you all our favorite competitors in the midsize SUV category—and stick around to learn about how you can shave a chunk off of your Nissan Murano’s car insurance cost.1. Hyundai Santa Fe
Starting price: $28,495 to $47,305
Selling points: Better towing capacity, fun to drive, lots of options
Weak spot: Fuel economy, doesn’t feel luxurious
The Hyundai Santa Fe is one of the closer direct competitors of the Nissan Murano. It’s a midsize crossover with 5 seats, but it offers a more impressive 2,000 pounds of towing capacity in base form and 3,500 pounds when equipped with its optional 2.5-liter turbo-four engine.
Drivers looking to save money on fuel during city commutes will also love the availability of the Santa Fe’s hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants. The Nissan Murano doesn’t offer any alternative powertrains, but you’ll pay about the same for a Santa Fe Limited PHEV as you would for a top-trim Murano.
2. Ford Bronco
Starting price: $32,895 to $54,595
Selling points: Towing capacity, fun to drive, good utility
Weak spot: Fuel economy, lackluster interior
The Ford Bronco may seem like a new kid on the block, but it’s a well-loved model that’s been revived. It comes with a standard 300-horsepower turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, but a 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 engine upgrade gets 330 horsepower.
The Bronco is more fun to drive than the Murano, costs about the same, and is capable of doing many of the same things that a Jeep Wrangler can do. With 3,500-pound towing capacity and plenty more off-road-read hardiness, the Bronco outperforms the Murano in almost every way while sticking close to the same price point.
MORE: The 10 best SUVs for towing
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Starting price: $28,310 to $38,250
Selling points: Affordable, comfortable driving experience
Weak spot: Lacks class and spaciousness
Looking at the Toyota RAV4, we dip into compact SUV territory—but this compact SUV still offers plenty of what you get from the Nissan Murano. And you’ll get it all for a better price, as long as you’re willing to sacrifice a bit of cabin space.
The 1,500-pound towing capacity is there on the base RAV4, but upgrade to the Adventure—which costs about the same as a base-model Murano S—and you’ll unlock a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.
4. Jeep Wrangler
Starting price: $31,590 to $81,190
Selling points: Classic, proven performance, good towing capacity
Weak spot: Unruly everyday driving manners, poor fuel economy
The Jeep Wrangler is the classic off-road champion of the midsize SUV world. It can go far further on rough terrain than most competitors on this list and is also rated for 3,500 pounds of towing capacity.
While the Wrangler may be a little less fuel-efficient than the Murano and other SUVs like it, you’ll get more utility and capability than the average two-row SUV. Of course, it’s also far more customizable than a Murano, with plenty of engine options and two-door or four-door models.
MORE: 8 top Jeep Wrangler competitors
5. Mazda CX-9
Starting price: $36,855 to $48,785
Selling points: Attractive inside and out, great towing capacity
Weak spot: Mediocre engine power, not great off-road
The Mazda CX-9 offers a third row of seating, though it’s fairly cramped. Of course, if you were already leaning toward the Nissan Murano, you probably won’t mind. But note that you’ll sacrifice some of the extra cargo space available in the Murano.
Nevertheless, the Mazda CX-9 offers plenty of its own unique charms. First off, it has a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. Its driving experience is where it shines, offering the feel of a sports car thanks to its peppy crossover chassis.
MORE: Mazda CX-9 towing capacity
6. Honda Passport
Starting price: $39,665 to $47,225
Selling points: Plenty of space, fantastic towing capability
Weak spot: High starting price, uninspired ride quality
The Honda Passport is Honda’s two-row midsize SUV/crossover option—a bit smaller than the three-row Pilot. The Passport may have a higher starting price than the Murano, but if you were already planning on springing for a higher trim of the Nissan, the Passport fits neatly alongside these options as a genuine alternative.
The most attractive thing about the Passport is that it offers that same spacious cabin that the Murano has but doesn’t skimp on utility. With a hitched-up Honda Passport, you’ll be able to tow up to 5,000 pounds.
7. Kia Telluride
Starting price: $34,725 to $44,625
Selling points: Tons of SUV value overall, 5,000-lb towing capacity
Weak spot: Unimpressive fuel economy, boring on-road
If you’re fine with driving something a bit bigger than the Murano, the Kia Telluride offers a third row of seating for a maximum seating capacity of 8 and it holds its own as one of the top-rated midsize SUVs you can buy. In fact, the Telluride has garnered top reviews in its category in recent years.
It offers plenty of power from its 291-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6, which outperforms the Murano’s V-6 engine. All the best safety features are standard-issue, and the price for even a top trim is nothing to shake your fist at!
MORE: Everything you need to know about Kia electric cars
8. Hyundai Palisade
Starting price: $34,895 to $48,585
Selling points: Great family budget SUV, 5,000-lb towing capacity
Weak spot: Not built for off-roading
While the Hyundai Palisade may not be configured quite the same way as the Nissan Murano, it offers a 5,000-pound towing capacity at an undeniably acceptable price. The Murano may be a bit smaller than the Palisade, but the Palisade seems much more capable of handling its size than the Nissan.
Nissan Murano vs. the competition
The Nissan Murano doesn’t measure up to its competition very well on paper, but that hasn’t stopped it from getting top consumer ratings. Take a look at the numbers for yourself.
Model | Starting price range | Engine options | Maximum seating | Maximum cargo capacity | Maximum towing capacity | Fuel economy (city/highway/combined) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$34,605 to $46,155 | V-6 | 5 seats | 67 cubic ft | 1500 lb | 20/28/23 mpg | |
$28,495 to $47,305 | Inline-4, turbo I-4, hybrid, plug-in hybrid | 5 seats | 72.1 cubic feet | 3500 lb | 39/35/36 mpg (hybrid) | |
$32,395 to $54,545 | Four-cylinder or V6 | 5 seats | 52.3 cubic ft | 4500 lb | 20/21/20 mpg | |
$38,250 | four-cylinder | 5 seats | 62.8 cubic ft | 3500 lb | 25/32/29 mpg | |
$31,590 to $81,190 | V-6, turbo I-4, turbodiesel V6, V8 | 5 seats | 72.4 cubic ft | 3500 lb | 17/23/19 mpg | |
$36,855 to $48,785 | Turbo I-4 | 7 seats | 71.2 cubic ft | 3500 lb | 20/26/23 mpg | |
$39,665 to $47,225 | V-6 | 5 seats | 77.7 cubic feet | 5000 lb | 20/25/22 mpg | |
$34,725 to $44,625 | V6 | 8 seats | 87 cubic ft | 5000 lb | 20/26/23 mpg | |
$34,895 to $48,585 | V6 | 8 seats | 86.4 cubic ft | 5000 lb | 19/26/22 mpg |
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