Crossover Nissan Murano third generation (index Z52) since 2015 remains one of the most stylish and comfortable representatives of the segment. But when choosing a car, many people wonder: will it be enough? ground clearance for Russian roads? Official manufacturer data does not always reflect the real picture - especially after installing winter tires or tuning the suspension.

In this article we will look at accurate clearance measurements Murano Z52 in different modifications (including a hybrid version), comparable to competitors like Toyota Highlander And Hyundai Santa Fe, and we will also tell you how to safely increase ground clearance without risk to the body and suspension. Let us separately dwell on the nuances of off-road operation - after all, even with ground clearance 180 mm Not all obstacles will be within your reach.

Official ground clearance of Nissan Murano Z52: what the manufacturer says

According to technical documentation Nissan, ground clearance Murano Z52 (2015–2026) is 180 mm for all modifications - as with a gasoline engine VQ35DE 3.5, and with a hybrid installation. However, this figure is measured under front bumper on an empty car (without passengers and cargo). Actual figures may vary:

  • 🔹 Under engine: 160–170 mm (depending on crankcase protection).
  • 🔹 Under the rear axle: 185–190 mm (higher due to suspension design).
  • 🔹 Fully loaded: clearance decreases by 15–25 mm.
  • 🔹 On winter tires: the clearance is reduced by 5–10 mm (due to the larger diameter of the wheels).

It is important to consider that Murano Z52 is not positioned as an SUV - it is an urban crossover with single-wheel drive or all-wheel drive (ATTESA E-TS) transmission. Its ground clearance is optimized for asphalt and light off-road use, but not for serious obstacles. For example, at Nissan X-Trail T32 of the same generation, the clearance is 20 mm larger, and Pathfinder R52 - by as much as 40 mm.

⚠️ Attention: When buying used Murano Z52 be sure to check the condition of the suspension springs - sagging by 10–15 mm is not uncommon after 100,000 km. This reduces the ground clearance to 165–170 mm and increases the risk of damage to the bumper.
📊 What ground clearance do you think is optimal for a crossover?
  • 160–170 mm
  • 180–190 mm
  • 200–210 mm
  • More than 220 mm

Real ground clearance measurements: what owners show

Forums and test drives confirm: factory 180 mm - This is more of a marketing figure. Real measurements from owners Murano Z52 (using a ruler or laser rangefinder) show the following results:

Measurement conditions Ground clearance under bumper (mm) Ground clearance under engine (mm)
New car, empty 178–182 165–170
With passengers (4 people) 170–175 155–160
With a load of 200 kg in the trunk 165–170 150–155
On winter tires (R18) 170–175 160–165
After the springs sag (mileage 120,000 km) 160–165 145–150

Particularly critical is the difference between front And rear ground clearance For example, when entering a bump at an angle, the risk of catching the bumper or engine protection is higher than damaging the rear axle. Owners note that even on a flat dirt road at speeds higher 40 km/h you can hear the scratching of the protection - especially if a non-original steel protection with less clearance is installed.

Interesting fact: the hybrid version Murano Hybrid the ground clearance is 5 mm less due to the location of the battery under the trunk floor. This is not critical for the city, but can become a problem on country roads.

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To accurately measure ground clearance, use a level surface and a laser rangefinder. Measurements with a ruler under the wheels will give an error of up to 10 mm due to the deflection of the rubber.

Comparison with competitors: who has more ground clearance?

In the mid-size crossover segment Nissan Murano Z52 is not a leader in ground clearance. For comparison, let’s take the main competitors on the Russian market:

  • 🚙 Toyota Highlander (XU70): 195 mm (15 mm more, but worse handling).
  • 🚙 Hyundai Santa Fe (TM): 185 mm (almost identical, but better body geometry).
  • 🚙 Kia Sorento (UM): 180 mm (the same, but with a stiffer suspension).
  • 🚙 Mazda CX-9 (TK): 200 mm (better for off-roading, but more expensive to maintain).
  • 🚙 Ford Edge (U374): 190 mm (a good compromise, but rarely found in Russia).

As you can see, Murano Z52 inferior in ground clearance to most of its classmates. However, it has a key advantage - lower center of gravity thanks to the wider track (1,635 mm front and 1,630 mm rear). This improves handling at high speeds, but requires caution on rough roads.

If cross-country ability is your priority, it’s worth considering Nissan Pathfinder R52 (clearance 200 mm) or Toyota RAV4 XA50 (clearance 195 mm in the Adventure version). But if comfort and design are important - Murano remains one of the best choices.

Why does the Murano have such low ground clearance?

The manufacturer sacrifices cross-country ability to lower the center of gravity and improve handling. This is typical for SUVs oriented towards urban use. In addition, the low body reduces drag, improving aerodynamics (Cx coefficient = 0.31).

Is it possible to increase the ground clearance of the Murano Z52: safe and dangerous methods

Many owners want to add Murano 10–20 mm clearance. Let's consider all possible methods - from safe to risky:

1. Installing spacers for springs

The most popular way. Spacers made of polyurethane or aluminum (15–30 mm) are installed between the body and the upper strut support. Pros:

  • 🔧 Does not require replacement of shock absorbers.
  • 💰 Cost from 5 000 ₽ (set for 4 wheels).
  • 🔄 Reversible process (you can return everything back).

Cons: handling deteriorates at high speeds, CV joints wear out faster.

2. Replacing springs with reinforced ones

Springs with increased stiffness (for example, from Eibach Pro-Lift) raise the ground clearance by 20–25 mm. It is important to choose a model that is compatible with ATTESA E-TS (all-wheel drive). Cost: from 20 000 ₽ per set + labor.

3. Replacing shock absorbers with adjustable ones

Height-adjustable stands (e.g. KW DDC) allow you to raise the ground clearance to 210 mm, but cost from 100 000 ₽. Suitable for enthusiasts who are willing to sacrifice comfort for cross-country ability.

4. Installation of wheels of larger diameter

High profile tires (e.g. 235/65 R18 instead of standard 235/55 R20) will be added 10–15 mm ground clearance But this will increase the load on the suspension and may lead to incorrect operation. ABS.

⚠️ Attention: Any change in clearance by more than 20 mm requires wheel alignment adjustment and may void the warranty. In addition, a higher center of gravity increases the risk of rollover during sharp turns.

Make sure that the springs have not sagged|Check the condition of the shock absorbers|Choose a service with experience working with Nissan ATTESA|Prepare for the need to adjust the camber|Take into account changes in fuel consumption (may increase by 0.5–1 l/100 km)-->

Off-road operation: what the Murano Z52 owner needs to know

Despite the ground clearance 180 mm and all-wheel drive, Murano Z52 not intended for serious off-road use. Here are the key restrictions:

  • 🚜 Fording depth: maximum 300 mm (higher risk of engine water hammer).
  • 🏔️ Approach/departure angle: 16°/20° (worse than Toyota RAV4 — 19°/21°).
  • 🌲 Body geometry: long overhangs limit patency over bumps.
  • 🔥 Temperature: may overheat when driving for a long time in mud CVT.

However, for light off-road conditions (dirt roads, snow drifts, wet grass) Murano fits well - especially in the version with ATTESA E-TS, which automatically distributes torque between the axles. Main rule: don't accelerate sharply on slippery surfaces to avoid slipping and overheating of the variator.

If you often travel outside the city, be sure to install:

  1. Crankcase protection (for example, from Steel Horse).
  2. Protection of the fuel tank (weak spot when hitting obstacles).
  3. Dirt-proof mud flaps (prevent dirt from getting into the variator).
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The Murano Z52 is not an SUV, but an SUV with reinforcement. Its strengths are comfort and handling on asphalt, not cross-country ability. For serious off-roading, choose the Pathfinder or Patrol.

Common clearance problems: what breaks first

During operation Murano Z52 On bad roads, owners face typical problems:

  1. Damage to the front bumper: The plastic bumper cracks when hitting curbs or bumps. Repair costs 15 000–25 000 ₽ (depending on paintwork).
  2. Engine protection deformation: the aluminum protection bends upon impact, which can lead to the crankshaft jamming. Replacement - from 8 000 ₽.
  3. Spring sag: after 80,000–100,000 km clearance decreases by 10–15 mm. The solution is to replace the springs (12 000 ₽ per pair).
  4. Damage to CV joints: When the ground clearance increases with spacers, the load on the hinges increases, which reduces their service life to 50,000 km.

To minimize risks, avoid:

  • 🚗 Sharp entries onto curbs (even at an angle).
  • 🛣️ Driving on deep ruts at higher speeds 20 km/h.
  • 🔥 Long driving on sand or snow (overheating CVT).

If you drive on dirt roads frequently, consider installing air suspension (For example, Air Lift). It allows you to adjust the ground clearance on the fly - from 160 mm (for high-speed driving) up to 210 mm (for off-road use). Set price: from 150 000 ₽.

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions about Nissan Murano Z52 ground clearance

❓ Is it possible to set the ground clearance to 200 mm without harming the suspension?

Technically yes, but this will require complex tuning: spacers 30 mm + reinforced springs + adjustable shock absorbers. However, this will reduce handling and increase the risk of rollover. The optimal safe limit is 190–195 mm.

❓ What is the ground clearance of the Murano Z52 with R17 winter tires?

When switching from R20 on R17 with high-profile tires (for example, 235/65 R17) ground clearance will increase by 10–12 mm (up to 188–190 mm under the bumper). But this may affect the accuracy of the speedometer (readings will be underestimated by 2–3 km/h).

❓ Why did the ground clearance become less after replacing the shock absorbers?

This is normal if you have installed gas-oil shock absorbers (for example, Kayaba). They have more resistance and the springs compress more. To return the previous ground clearance, you need to select shock absorbers taking into account the stiffness of the springs or add spacers 10–15 mm.

❓ Which engine protection is better for off-road?

The best option is steel protection against Steel Horse or TRE4x4 (thickness 3–4 mm). She weighs about 12 kg, but reliably protects the crankcase and gearbox. Aluminum protection (for example, original from Nissan) are lighter, but bend under strong impacts.

❓ Does clearance affect fuel consumption?

Yes, but only slightly. Increasing clearance by 20 mm increases drag by ~3%, which adds 0.2–0.3 l/100 km to consumption. More noticeable growth (up to 0.5 l/100 km) occurs when installing wheels of larger diameter or wide tires.