When the original Murano was launched 16 years ago, it had an immediate and profound impact on the SUV market. As a pioneer of the CUV trend, it offered a forward-looking design sensibility that combined an elegant style with premium features – without a luxury price tag.
Now in its third generation, Murano receives a comprehensive refreshening for the 2019 model year. The revisions to Murano's exterior add a more pronounced front V-motion grille, redesigned LED headlights and taillights, new LED fog lights, new 18-inch and 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheel designs and three fresh new exterior colors – Sunset Drift Chromaflair, Mocha Almond Pearl and Deep Blue Pearl.
Enhancements to the luxurious Murano interior are led by new semi-aniline leather-appointed seats with diamond-quilted inserts with contrasting micro-piping trim for the seats, door armrests and center console lid for the Murano Platinum grade. Other changes include three new interior trim finishers: Dark Wood-Tone (Platinum), Light Wood-Tone (SV, SL) and Metallic (S, SV, SL).
In addition, all 2019 Murano models feature two new standard features – Nissan's innovative Rear Door Alert1 (RDA) system and Intelligent Driver Alertness (I-DA)2, which learns each individual driver's steering patterns and helps alert the driver when drowsy driving is detected. Other available technology includes Intelligent Around View® Monitor (I-AVM) and an 11-speaker Bose® premium audio system.
The 2019 Murano continues as the halo vehicle for Nissan's wide range of bold crossovers and SUVs, expressing Nissan's advanced design direction – including its V-motion front end, LED signature boomerang lights and the unique "floating" roof. With the bold new treatment for the new model year, Murano's "premium-ness" is taken to a higher level than ever before.
The stunning exterior design carries into the interior, which offers an engaging social lounge feel – including features such as advanced Zero Gravity front and outboard rear seating, and the airy atmosphere created by the large windows and oversized Power Panoramic Moonroof.
Safety, security and driver assistance technologies have also been revised for 2019 with the availability of Nissan Safety Shield 360, a suite of six advanced active safety and driver-assist technologies designed to help provide 360 degrees of confidence.
Safety Shield 360 is a critical part of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, which provides technology in a way that moves people to a better world. Safety Shield 360 includes Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Assist and Rear Automatic Braking.
Safety Shield 360 is standard on Murano Platinum and as part of the SL Technology Package. The 2019 Murano also adds standard 2nd row supplemental side air bags and front passenger supplemental knee air bag.
A Lightness of Form
With its highly emotional design, Murano's sculptural qualities again stand out in a crossover field known more for uniformity and utility-based styling than boldness and light. It expresses the dynamic side of Nissan, but with an urban sophistication and a sense of completeness.
One of the central constructs for both the Murano exterior and interior was to "elevate your experience," which is counterintuitive to the heaviness and chunkiness of the traditional sport utility vehicle. This helped inspire the push for leading edge aerodynamics and three key elements of Nissan's signature design language – the V-Motion front end, signature boomerang lighting and floating roofline.
The designers sought to create a gravity-like power to pull viewers into the design visually, while defying gravity with a lightness of form through the use of glass and flowing lines. The prominent glass areas are created through the use of its jet-inspired roof and D-pillars that appear disconnected from the roof that help visually lighten the cabin. The result is a unique floating feeling that can be recognized from far away.
Another key element is the freshened boomerang-style standard LED headlights and taillights. The signature headlights, with their LED Daytime Running Light accents, are instantly recognizable at night. Murano's sculptural bodysides created an engineering challenge, especially in the strong curvature of the rear fender stampings.
Other critical details, such as the active grille shutter, fender lip moldings, rear bumper surfacing, rear tire deflectors and integrated rear spoiler help achieve its 0.31 coefficient of drag – on par with many sports cars.
A Premium Interior
The refined intensity of the Murano interior is evident the moment the doors are opened with its available advanced lighting system, open and comfortable feeling and use of premium materials.
Murano's upscale "social lounge" interior creates an inviting and comfortable atmosphere. The low instrument panel height features a large information and control center with a standard 8.0-inch color display with multi-touch control centered between the outer wings.
Adding to the driver's sense of connectedness with security is Nissan's Advanced Drive-Assist™ Display with a 7.0-inch high-resolution color display. Available audio systems include an advanced Bose® design with 11 speakers (including dual subwoofers), HD Radio® and standard SiriusXM® Satellite Radio (SiriusXM® subscription required, sold separately).
All 2019 Murano grades feature NissanConnect® featuring Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ and 8.0-inch color display with multi-touch control. Murano SL and Platinum grades include standard NissanConnect with Navigation featuring Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, 8.0-inch color display with multi-touch control, SiriusXM® Traffic™ and SiriusXM® Travel Link™ (SiriusXM® subscription required, sold separately). For 2019, the Door to Door navigation has been upgraded with connected POI search and premium traffic functions.
Standard on Murano Platinum grade is NissanConnect Services powered by SiriusXM®, which includes services such as automatic collision notification, emergency call and stolen vehicle locator, remote services including start/stop, lock/unlock, flash lights, sound horn, customizable alerts including drive zone, valet, curfew and speed alerts, dealer service scheduling and maintenance alerts (SiriusXM® subscription required, sold separately).
An Amazon Alexa skill is available free of charge under the connected car category within the Amazon Skills Store, allowing owners to use voice commands to remote lock/unlock, honk the horn, flash the lights and start or stop the engine of the 2019 Murano (powered by NissanConnect Services).
Nissan's advanced Zero Gravity seats are standard for front and rear outboard occupants. The rear seats are a three-cushion design. Climate-controlled seats (heating and cooling) are available in front, along with available Quick Comfort™ heated rear seats.
Other interior features include standard Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control and Nissan Intelligent Key® with Push Button Ignition, along with available leather-appointed seating, heated steering wheel, steering wheel position memory, driver's seat and outside mirror memory and Remote Engine Start3 with Intelligent Climate Control. Overhead, the available Power Panoramic Moonroof enhances the open, airy feeling.
Conversation between front and rear occupants is encouraged by Murano's "communication alley" created by the wide, low center console. The console also includes a compartment for rear occupants' smartphones. There are also two USB ports (one Type-A, one Type-C) for the rear seats that allow for charging of devices, along with ample storage areas and compartments throughout the interior.
Murano's cargo area provides ample storage space with the seats up. The rear cargo area, for example, accommodates four large suitcases, while the rear seats fold flat for greater cargo convenience. With the easy rear seat release and available power rear seat return, Murano converts from people hauler to cargo ship or back within seconds. All configurations can be done from the back, without walking to each door.
Standard 3.5-liter V6 and an Extra Set of Eyes
Every 2019 Murano comes equipped with an advanced 3.5-liter DOHC V6 rated at 260 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque. Also standard is an advanced Xtronic transmission tuned for quick response and smoothness. The Xtronic holds the engine at the ideal rpm for the conditions at hand, offering responsive power for passing when needed and quiet efficient running at cruising speeds or around town, with the standard D-Step Logic adding the feel of a traditional stepped automatic. All Murano grades are offered in front-wheel drive or Intelligent All-Wheel Drive.
Fuel economy4 is rated at 20 mpg city, 28 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined for both front-wheel and all-wheel drive models, thanks in part to the advance aerodynamics and engine/transmission efficiencies.
Murano offers responsive handling and a comfortable ride through use of a 4-wheel independent suspension featuring a front strut/rear multi-link design. Also standard are 4-wheel disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering.
Standard 18-inch machined aluminum-alloy wheels with 235/65R18 all-season tires are offered on S and SV grades, while SL grades come equipped with 20-inch machined aluminum alloy Dark Metallic Gray finish wheels with 235/55R20 all-season tires. The top-of-the-line Platinum grade features exclusive 20-inch Dark Hyper Silver finish aluminum-alloy wheels with 235/55R20 all-season tires.
The 2019 Murano also incorporates up to four cameras and three radar sensors to provide input to a range of available technologies, including Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Intelligent Forward Collision Warning (I-FCW), Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection (PAEB), Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).
Parking a Murano is made easier with the available Intelligent Around View® Monitor (I-AVM)5, which helps alert the driver to detected moving objects near the vehicle via an on-screen notification and warning chime.
Intelligent Driver Alertness (I-DA)1, which helps alert the driver when drowsy driving is detected, is standard on all grades for 2019. Studies have shown that drowsy driving is involved in as much as 21 percent of fatal car accidents (Automobile Association of America Study, Nov. 2014). The Intelligent Driver Alertness1 system provides an audible and visual warning if the system judges that the driver may be drowsy (using analysis of steering inputs to detect changes in the driving behavior).
Every Murano includes as standard the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt sensors and an occupant classification sensor, front-seat mounted side-impact supplemental air bags, roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags with a rollover sensor and a driver supplemental knee air bag. For 2019, a front passenger knee supplemental air bag and rear seat side-impact supplemental air bags have been added for a total of 10 air bags.
Also available is Intelligent Lane Intervention (I-LI) and the new Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) system – which provides Murano drivers with the most recent speed limit information detected by a camera unit located on the windshield in front of the inside rearview mirror. The information from detected signs is displayed in the Advanced Driver Assist Display. In vehicles equipped with navigation, the speed limit display is based on a combination of navigation system data and camera recognition.
Murano's standard Rear Door Alert (RDA)1 is designed to help remind customers of items that may be forgotten in the rear seat. The system detects if a rear door is opened prior to driving, and if it is not opened again at the end of the trip, the system can remind customers that something might be left in the rear seat. RDA – the industry's first system that uses the horn in addition to door sensors and a message display on the center instrument panel – is designed to be simple, unobtrusive and can be easily turned on or off as needed.
A Range of Models
The refreshed 2019 Nissan Murano is offered in four well-equipped premium grade levels: S, SV, SL and Platinum.
The well-equipped Murano S includes features such as 18-inch machined aluminum-alloy wheels and an 8.0-inch color display with multi-touch control, front (2) and rear (2) USB connection ports for iPod® interface and other compatible devices and rear (2) USB connection ports for charging, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, Streaming audio via Bluetooth®, Hands-free Text Messaging Assistant and NissanConnect with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto.
Murano SV grade adds 10-way driver/4-way front passenger power seats, black roof rails, remote engine start3, leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather-wrapped shift knob, auto-dimming inside mirror with HomeLink® Universal Transceiver, Blind Spot Warning (BSW) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).
Murano SL models add NissanConnect with Navigation featuring Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ with 8.0-inch color display with multi-touch control, Nissan Voice Recognition for navigation and audio, SiriusXM® Traffic™ and SiriusXM® Travel Link™ (fuel prices, weather, movie listings, stock info, sports scores) (SiriusXM® subscription required, sold separately), leather-appointed seating, Bose® audio with 11 speakers including two subwoofers, Intelligent Around View® Monitor (I-AVM)5, Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC), heated front and rear seats, heated outside mirrors with reverse tilt-down feature, ambient LED lighting, heated steering wheel, driver's seat and mirror memory, Motion-Activated Power Liftgate and roof rails with silver accents, 20-inch machine-finished aluminum-alloy wheels, LED fog lights, and front and rear parking sensors.
Murano Platinum includes Power Panoramic Moonroof, unique 20-inch Dark Hyper Silver machined aluminum-alloy wheels, climate controlled front seats, steering wheel with power tilt, telescoping and memory and NissanConnect Services powered by SiriusXM® with automatic collision notification, emergency call and stolen vehicle locator, remote services including start/stop, lock/unlock, flash lights, sound horn, customizable alerts including drive zone, valet, curfew and speed alerts, dealer service scheduling and maintenance alerts. Murano Platinum grade also features High Beam Assist (HBA), Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Intelligent Lane Intervention (I-LI), Rear Automatic Braking (RAB) and semi-aniline leather-appointed seats with diamond-quilted inserts and contrast micro-piping for seat, doors and console inserts.
Just two options are available, the SV Premium Package featuring Power Panoramic Moonroof, Intelligent Around View® Monitor, Bose® Premium sound system with 11 high-performance speakers and more; and the SL Technology Package with Safety Shield 360 technology, Traffic Sign Recognition and Power Panoramic Moonroof.
Murano is assembled in Nissan's Canton, Mississippi plant, which is the most diverse facility by number of models in Nissan's North American network. The Canton Vehicle Assembly Plant is the global source for Murano production, creating export opportunities to more than 100 markets. Murano is assembled on the same line as Frontier and TITAN.
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1. Rear Door Alert is intended to remind people to check the back seats of their vehicle under certain circumstances. It cannot prevent accidents caused by inattention or carelessness.
2. It is the driver's responsibility to remain alert at all times. I-DA is only a warning to inform the driver of a potential lack of driver attention or drowsiness. It does not detect and provide an alert in every situation. See Owner's Manual for details.
3. State laws may apply; review local laws before using.
4. 2019 EPA Fuel Economy 20 mpg city, 28 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined. Actual mileage may vary with driving conditions – use for comparison only. (TBC)
5. I-AVM cannot completely eliminate blind spots and may not detect every object. MOD operates at vehicles speeds below 5 mph. Always check surroundings before moving vehicle. Not a substitute for proper backing procedures. Always turn to check what is behind you before backing up.