Nissan Murano 2020: real reviews from owners - what are dealers hiding?

Crossover Nissan Murano 2020 is a car that divides owners into two camps: some admire its design and comfort, others criticize it for its expensive maintenance and “childhood diseases.” In this article we have collected real reviews from forums, social networks and car services, analyzed typical problems and identified the strengths of the model. There are no advertising slogans here - only facts from those who have ridden on Murano from 10 to 100+ thousand kilometers.

Why 2020? This is the last model year before the 2021 restyling, when Nissan I have not yet managed to implement all the updates, but I have already eliminated some of the childhood diseases of previous versions. We compared reviews of owners from Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus - the climatic conditions in these countries are similar, and the prices for spare parts and service are comparable. We paid special attention fuel consumption in the city, CVT reliability And build quality — these are the topics most often discussed on specialized forums.

If you are considering Murano as a family car or a status crossover for the city, this article will help you avoid mistakes when purchasing. We not only provided quotes from real owners, but also compiled rating of complete sets according to price/quality ratio, and also collected data on the cost of ownership for 3 years. Spoiler: The average check for maintenance at an official dealer exceeds 40,000 rubles, but there are ways to save up to 30% without losing the warranty.

Design and comfort: why does the 2020 Murano look more expensive than it costs?

Exterior Nissan Murano The year 2020 is often referred to as the “best looking class of all.” Futuristic headlights V-motion, floating roof and aggressive front bumper really make the crossover stand out from competitors like Toyota Venza or Ford Edge. Owners in the reviews note that even after 3 years the car does not lose its relevance - and this is important for those who buy a car “for many years.”

This is what the user with the nickname writes: @Murano_Lover from Yekaterinburg (mileage 45,000 km):

“I bought it in 2020 with the maximum configuration SL Platinum. Passers-by still stop to take photos, especially at night when the LED lights and chrome elements light up. The interior has premium-quality leather, but after a year, scuffs appeared on the steering wheel (I had to buy a cover for 8 thousand). But the sound insulation is at the level Lexus RX “In a traffic jam you can only hear music.”

However, not everything is so rosy. Owners complain about:

• 🔍 weak paint: chips appear even from small stones, and polishing is required after the first winter.
• 🪑 Uncomfortable rear seats: low seating and lack of backrest angle adjustment (in Toyota Highlander this is better resolved).
• 🌡️ Problems with climate control: in frosts below -25°C, the system takes a long time to warm up the interior, and in summer the air conditioning does not always cope with the heat.

Interesting fact: in the USA Murano is positioned as a “premium crossover”, but in Russia it is often compared to Kia Sorento or Hyundai Santa Fe - and not in favor Nissan. At the same time, in terms of equipment level (for example, ProPILOT Assist in top versions) it is ahead of the Koreans.

Xtronic CVT: myths and reality (data with mileage of 100,000+ km)

The main fear of buyers Nissan Murano - this is variator Xtronic. The Internet is full of stories about his “sudden death” at a mileage of 80–120 thousand km, but the real statistics are more optimistic. According to the service CarVertical, only 12% of CVTs on Murano 2018–2020 required major repairs up to 150,000 km - and then in most cases due to untimely oil change or aggressive driving.

This is what the service mechanic says Nissan-Service Pro (Moscow):

"Variator Xtronic in Murano 2020 is already the third generation, modified after the scandal with Nissan Rogue 2014–2017. The main thing is to change the oil every 60,000 km (and not 90, as the dealer writes!) and use only original fluid NS-3. Clients who follow this rule drive 200+ thousand km without problems. And those who save on oil arrive with jerks and errors P17F0».

Typical symptoms of a “dying” variator:

• 🚗 Jerks during acceleration (especially when it’s “cold”).
• 🔊 Hum or whistle when driving at a speed of 60–80 km/h.
• ⚠️ Error P0776 (pressure solenoid malfunction).

Cost of CVT repair in 2026:

Type of work	Cost (RUB)	Warranty
Oil + filter change	12 000–18 000	—
Solenoid repair	25 000–40 000	6 months
Major repairs (replacement of belt, cones)	120 000–180 000	1 year
Replacing the variator with a new one	350 000–450 000	2 years

Important: If you buy Murano with mileage, be sure to check the oil change history of the variator. Ask the seller for receipts or data from the on-board computer (Menu → Maintenance → Transmission Fluid). If there is no information - the risk of breakdown increases 3 times.

Fuel consumption: is it true that Murano “eats” like an SUV?

Official fuel consumption for Nissan Murano 2020 with engine VQ35DD (3.5 l, 249 hp):

• 🏙️ City: 12.5 l/100 km
• 🛣️ Highway: 7.8 l/100 km
• ⚖️ Combined cycle: 9.6 l/100 km

Real data of owners (according to a survey on Drive2.ru, 120 answers):

• 🏙️ City (Moscow, traffic jams): 14.5–16 l/100 km (in winter up to 18 l!).
• 🛣️ Route (90–110 km/h): 8.5–9.5 l/100 km.
• ⚠️ Record holder: user @Vova_Murano from Sochi reported consumption 22 l/100 km when towing a trailer (weight 1.2 t).

Why is the difference with passport data so great?

1. Vehicle weight: Murano weighs 1.8–1.9 tons - like an average SUV.
2. CVT: During active acceleration, the engine keeps high speeds (3,000–4,000 rpm), which increases consumption.
3. Aerodynamics: despite the streamlined body, the high ground clearance (20 cm) worsens the performance.

Advice from an owner with 80,000 km mileage:

“To save fuel, turn on the Eco Mode and monitor the tire pressure (optimally - 2.3 bar in the front, 2.5 in the rear). I reduced consumption from 16 to 13.5 l/100 km in the city. Refueling also helps Lukoil or Gazpromneft “With 92-grade gasoline, consumption increases by 10%.”

Reliability and typical problems: what breaks most often?

According to the service CarComplaints.com, the main complaints about Nissan Murano 2020 are related to:

1. Electronics (28% of requests): the multimedia system is glitchy, the parking sensors fail, the brake automatically applies ProPILOT.
2. Suspension (22%): knocking in the front struts, leaking shock absorbers after 50,000 km.
3. Engine (15%): vibrations at idle, error P0300 (misfire).

Here are real cases from reviews:

• 🔋 Battery: user @Alex_Msk reported that the standard battery EN-2 sat down after 1.5 years (in winter at -30°C). Replacement with Varta E44 solved the problem.
• 🎵 Bose audio system: in 12% of owners, after 2 years of operation, the right tweeter begins to wheeze. Repairs cost 15,000–20,000 rubles.
• 🚪 Electric trunk drive: often jams in cold weather - treating the mechanism with silicone lubricant helps.

Cost of repairing typical breakdowns:

Problem	Cost (RUB)	Can it be avoided?
Replacing front struts	40,000–60,000 (pair)	Yes - avoid potholes and check boots
Multimedia repair (freezes, no sound)	10 000–30 000	Partially - do not update software over the air
Cleaning the throttle body (error P0300)	5 000–8 000	Yes - use fuel not lower than AI-95

Attention: If your Murano started to “jerk” when braking at low speeds, check brake discs - they often become deformed due to overheating (a typical problem for heavy crossovers). Replacing discs + pads will cost 35,000–50,000 rubles.

How to check a car's history before purchasing?

Use services CarVertical or Autocodeto find out:

- Have there been any accidents (especially impacts to the front part - this is a risk for the variator).

- Is the mileage “twisted” (compare with the service book).

- How many owners has the car had (frequent resale is a bad sign).

- Are there any recall campaigns (for example, for the CVT or airbags).

Comparison of trim levels: which one to choose in 2026?

In 2020 Nissan Murano offered in 4 trim levels:

1. S (basic): LED headlights, 18″ wheels, leather steering wheel, but no sunroof or navigation.
2. SV: added Nissan Safety Shield 360 (360° cameras, blind spot sensors), dual-zone climate control.
3. SL: premium audio system Bose, ventilated front seats, electric trunk.
4. Platinum: adaptive cruise control ProPILOT Assist, 20″ wheels, wooden inserts in the interior.

Feedback analysis shows that optimal configuration - SL. Why?

• 💰 Price/equipment ratio: all key options (safety, comfort) are already included, and you have to pay extra for Platinum there's no point - ProPILOT in Russia it works to a limited extent (there are no maps for autopilot).
• 🛠️ Cheaper to maintain: 20″ wheels (Platinum) are often bent in pits, and their replacement costs 15,000–20,000 rubles apiece.
• 🔧 Less electronics = less problems: in Platinum Multimedia often glitches due to the large number of sensors.

Comparison of prices on the secondary market (data Auto.ru, May 2026):

Equipment	Price (RUB)	Mileage (thousand km)
S	2 100 000–2 400 000	40–60
SV	2 500 000–2 800 000	30–50
SL	2 900 000–3 300 000	20–40
Platinum	3 500 000–3 900 000	10–30

Attention: If you buy Murano with mileage, avoid equipped cars S — they do not have a rear view camera or parking sensors, which complicates operation in the city. It’s better to pay an extra 200–300 thousand rubles for SV or SL.

💡

Equipment SL — the best choice in terms of price/quality ratio. It includes all the necessary safety and comfort options, but avoids frills Platinum, which increase the cost of ownership.

Cost of ownership: How much does it cost to own a Murano in 2026?

We will calculate the costs for Nissan Murano 2020 for 3 years (mileage 60,000 km) in the Moscow region:

1. Fuel:

• Average consumption: 14 l/100 km.
• Cost of 95 gasoline: 55 rub./l.
• Annual mileage: 20,000 km.
• Total for 3 years: 14 × 20 000 × 3 × 55 = 462,000 rub.

2. Insurance (CASCO + OSAGO):

• CASCO (with a franchise of 30,000 rubles): 80,000–120,000 rubles/year.
• OSAGO: 10,000–15,000 rubles/year.
• Total for 3 years: RUB 270,000–405,000

3. Maintenance (according to regulations):

Type of work	Frequency	Cost (RUB)
TO-1 (oil change, filters)	15,000 km	12 000–18 000
TO-2 (replacement of air filter, spark plugs)	30,000 km	25 000–35 000
Changing the oil in the variator	60,000 km	15 000–20 000
Replacing brake pads/discs	40,000–50,000 km	30 000–50 000

Total for 3 years: ~250,000 rub.

4. Unforeseen expenses (according to statistics):

• Suspension repair: RUB 50,000–80,000.
• Battery replacement: RUB 15,000–20,000.
• Cleaning the throttle valve: 5,000–8,000 rubles.
• Total: ~100,000 rub.

Total cost of ownership over 3 years: 1,082,000 – 1,215,000 rub. (or 30,000–34,000 rub./month.).

For comparison: content Toyota Highlander of the same year costs 15–20% less due to a more reliable suspension and lower fuel consumption. However Murano wins in design and equipment.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions about the 2020 Nissan Murano

❓ Can you tow a trailer on the 2020 Murano?

Yes, but with restrictions:

• Maximum trailer weight without brakes: 750 kg.
• With brakes: up to 1,500 kg (but the CVT doesn’t like long-term loads!).
• Be sure to use additional variator oil cooler (article 31397-3MX0A, price ~20,000 rub.).

Owners recommend avoiding towing over distances of more than 200 km - the risk of overheating of the variator increases.

❓ What is the service life of the VQ35DD engine?

With proper maintenance (oil change every 10,000 km, original filters), the engine runs 300,000–400,000 km. Main problems:

• Leaking valve cover seals (after 150,000 km).
• Timing chain wear (it is recommended to check every 100,000 km).

Cost of major repairs: RUB 250,000–350,000.

❓ What oil to pour into the variator?

Only original Nissan CVT Fluid NS-3 (article KLE52-00004). Analogs (for example, Idemitsu CVTF) may cause the belt to slip. Volume for complete replacement: 9.5 l.

Attention: If the variator has already been filled with non-original oil, before replacing it with NS-3 flushing of the system is required (cost ~10,000 rubles).

❓ How to disable the Start/Stop system?

There are 3 ways:

1. Button AUTO STOP/START on the panel (turns off until the next engine start).
2. Via menu: Settings → Eco Settings → Auto Start/Stop → Off.
3. Physical shutdown (requires re-flashing of the BC, cost ~5,000 rubles).

Owners recommend turning off the system in winter - frequent starts reduce the life of the starter.

❓ Where is it better to service Murano - at a dealer or in a third-party service?

Comparison:

Criterion	Official dealer	Specialized service
Maintenance cost	40,000–60,000 rub.	25,000–40,000 rub.
Work guarantee	2 years	1 year
Quality of spare parts	Original	Original or high-quality analogues
Queue	1–3 weeks	1–3 days

Recommendation: Do the first 3 maintenance (up to 60,000 km) at the dealer to maintain the warranty. Then you can go to a trusted service (for example, Nissan-Motors or JapService).