Nissan Murano 2026: what has changed in the new body and is it worth waiting for an update?

Last time Nissan Murano received a major update in 2018, and since then fans of the brand have been waiting for radical changes. In 2026, expectations were finally met: the Japanese manufacturer presented a crossover with a completely redesigned body, new technologies and a modified platform. But how dramatic were the changes? And most importantly, will the new version meet the expectations of those who are considering Murano as an alternative Toyota Highlander or Hyundai Santa Fe?

In this article we will look at new Nissan Murano body from all sides: from design and dimensions to technical novelties under the hood. We will place special emphasis on changes that are really important for Russian buyers - be it ground clearance, equipment, or adaptation to local roads. We’ll also compare the prices for the new and old versions to understand whether it’s worth paying extra for the update.

New body design: revolution or evolution?

The first thing that catches your eye when looking at Nissan Murano 2026 - this is completely redesigned front end. The designers abandoned the usual V-shaped radiator grille in favor of horizontal lines that visually expand the crossover. The headlights have become thinner and have Matrix LED-technology with adaptive light, and the bumper has acquired more aggressive shapes. But the most controversial decision is abandonment of traditional door handles in favor of touch buttons hidden in the trim. In practice, this looks futuristic, but how the mechanism will behave in winter in Russian realities is a big question.

In the profile, the changes are less radical: the usual wheel arch and roof line are retained, but new ones have appeared chrome moldings along the lower edge of the body. The rear now features a pass-through LED light strip, which has become a hallmark of many premium crossovers. It's interesting that the designers Nissan They abandoned the massive spoiler on the trunk lid, which gave the car a more discreet look.

• 🔹 Front optics: Matrix LED with function Auto High Beam (automatic high beam switching)
• 🔹 Radiator grille: horizontal slats instead of V-shape, integrated with the chamber 360°
• 🔹 Wheels: new designs for 19, 20 and 21 inches (in top trim levels)
• 🔹 Color palette: shades added Deep Ocean Blue And Pearl White Tri-Coat

⚠️ Attention: Touch-sensitive door handles may fail in temperatures below –20°C. In the first test drives, there were delays in reaction when opening doors in cold weather. If you live in areas with harsh winters, check with your dealer for availability of a mechanical backup.

Dimensions and ground clearance: is it suitable for Russian roads?

One of the key issues for Russian buyers is ground clearance and geometric cross-country ability. In a new body Murano These parameters have changed slightly, but there are some nuances:

Parameter	Nissan Murano 2023 (old body)	Nissan Murano 2026 (new body)
Length	4,895 mm	4,910 mm (+15 mm)
Width	1,940 mm	1,950 mm (+10 mm)
Height	1,715 mm	1,700 mm (–15 mm)
Clearance	185 mm	190 mm (+5 mm)
Wheelbase	2,825 mm	2,830 mm (+5 mm)

As can be seen from the table, ground clearance increased by 5 mm, which is certainly a plus for Russian roads. However, reducing the body height by 15 mm may affect the comfort of tall passengers in the rear row. The wheelbase has grown slightly, so the interior has not become more spacious - the main increase in space has been in the trunk (now 520 l against 495 l in the old version).

Regarding approach and departure angles, then they remained at the same level: 18° front and 22° behind. This means that Murano still not intended for serious off-road use, but will cope with city curbs and dirt roads to the countryside. For comparison: Toyota RAV4 the angles are 19°/21°, and Subaru Outback — 21°/24°.

Technical specifications: what's under the hood?

Biggest disappointment for many fans Nissan - this is lack of new engines in the lineup Murano 2026. The crossover continues to be equipped with proven 3.5 liter V6 power 260 hp, which works in tandem with Xtronic CVT. However, engineers have worked on the transmission and system settings 4WD, which should have a positive impact on dynamics and efficiency.

Main technical novelties:

• 🔧 Hybrid version: first time for Murano a hybrid with the system was announced e-Power (expected in 2026, for now only for the Japanese market)
• 🔧 Suspension: redesigned shock absorbers with adaptive settings (optional on top trim levels)
• 🔧 Steering: new rack and pinion steering with variable effort (easier in parking, stiffer at speed)
• 🔧 Brakes: larger front discs (with 320 mm to 340 mm) for better cooling

Acceleration to 100 km/h takes the same 7.5 seconds, as in the previous version, but thanks to the modified variator, the shifts have become smoother. Fuel consumption in the combined cycle decreased from 9.8 l/100 km to 9.2 l/100 km - not a revolution, but a nice bonus. But maximum speed remained at the level 210 km/h (limited by electronics).

⚠️ Attention: CVT Xtronic requires strict adherence to oil change regulations (every 60,000 km). In Russian conditions with frequent traffic jams and sudden temperature changes, it is better to reduce the interval to 45,000–50,000 kmto avoid premature wear.

Details about the e-Power hybrid version

Nissan's e-Power system uses the gasoline engine solely as a generator for the electric motor, and the wheels are driven solely by electricity. This allows you to reduce fuel consumption to 6–7 l/100 km in the city. However, there is no official information about the release of this version of Murano on the Russian market yet.

Interior and equipment: what has changed inside?

If appearance Murano 2026 has changed evolutionarily, the interior has undergone radical transformation. Designers abandoned the traditional dashboard in favor of 12.3-inch digital screen, and the central display is now diagonal 10.8 inches (previously was 8 inches). Finishing materials have become more premium: top trim levels now have genuine Nappa leather, decorative inserts in wood and aluminum, as well as interior lighting with a choice of 10 colors.

Key innovations in equipment:

• 🚗 System ProPILOT Assist 2.0: semi-autonomous highway driving (lane keeping, adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go)
• 🚗 Wireless charging: Now supports smartphones with up to 15 W (previously it was 5 W)
• 🚗 Audio system Bose Premium: 13 speakers (instead of 11) with technology Active Noise Cancellation
• 🚗 Climate control: three-zone with function Plasma Cluster (air ionization)

Ergonomics have also been improved: the steering wheel has become thinner, and the CVT selector lever is now covered in leather with stitching. However back row still not happy with legroom - despite the increased wheelbase, there is room for taller passengers 180 cm not enough. The trunk, on the contrary, has become deeper and is now equipped with an electric lid with a function "non-contact" opening (just move your foot under the bumper).

☑️ What to check when inspecting the interior at the dealer

Quality stitching of leather seatsOperation of touch buttons on the center consolePresence of backlashes in plastic panelsInterior lighting functionality (all 10 colors)Noisy climate control operation at maximum speed

Done: 0 / 5

Options and prices in Russia: is it worth overpaying?

To the Russian market Nissan Murano 2026 will come in three configurations: Comfort, Elegance And Tekna. Prices start from 4 299 000 ₽ for the basic version, which is on 300 000 ₽ more expensive than its predecessor. Let's look at what's included in each:

Equipment	Price (₽)	Key options
Comfort	4 299 000	LED optics, 18" wheels, dual-zone climate, multimedia with 8" screen, rear view camera
Elegance	4 799 000	19" wheels, leather interior, wireless charging, system ProPILOT Assist, heated steering wheel
Tekna	5 399 000	20" wheels, Bose Premium, 360° cameras, ventilated seats, panoramic roof

Comparing with competitors, Murano looks quite competitive: for example, Toyota Highlander in a similar configuration will cost 4 800 000–5 500 000 ₽, and Hyundai Santa Fe - in 4 500 000–5 200 000 ₽. However, it is worth considering that Nissan there are no diesel versions and all-wheel drive with differential locking, which may be critical for some regions.

If we talk about secondary market, then old Murano (2020-2023) are now selling from 3 200 000 ₽ to 4 000 000 ₽ depending on mileage. The overpayment for a new body is approx. 15–20%, which is justified only if new technologies are critically important to you (for example, ProPILOT Assist or enhanced multimedia).

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If you don't need the bells and whistles of a top-end trim, it makes sense to consider a used 2022-2023 Murano with less than 30,000 km on the clock. In terms of reliability, they are not inferior to the new version, and the savings will be up to 1,000,000 rubles.

Pros and cons of the new 2026 Nissan Murano

Let's summarize and highlight the key advantages and disadvantages updated crossover. This will help you decide whether it is worth considering buying it or whether it is better to pay attention to alternatives.

• ✅ Pros:
• 🔸 Stylish and modern design with premium finishing materials
• 🔸 Improved noise insulation and comfortable suspension for city driving
• 🔸 Rich equipment in top trim levels (audio system Bose, ProPILOT Assist)
• 🔸 Proven and reliable engine V6 3.5 with a good resource
• 🔸 Increased ground clearance (190 mm) compared to the previous version

• ❌ Cons:
• 🔸 Lack of new engines and hybrid version at the start of sales
• 🔸 Rear row is a bit cramped for taller passengers 180 cm
• 🔸 High price compared to competitors (for example, Kia Sorento)
• 🔸 Touch-sensitive door handles can cause inconvenience in winter
• 🔸 The variator requires strict adherence to maintenance regulations

If you care comfort, premium and reliability, then Murano 2026 - an excellent choice. But if you're looking practicality, cross-country ability or economy, then it’s worth taking a closer look at alternatives like Subaru Outback (off-road) or Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (to save on fuel).

Comparison with competitors: who is better?

To objectively evaluate Nissan Murano 2026, let's compare it with the main competitors in the class of mid-size premium crossovers. For analysis, let’s take models with similar engines and configurations:

Parameter	Nissan Murano 2026	Toyota Highlander 2026	Hyundai Santa Fe 2026	Kia Sorento 2026
Engine	V6 3.5 (260 hp)	V6 3.5 (295 hp)	2.5T (281 hp)	2.5T (281 hp)
Transmission	CVT	8-automatic	8-automatic	8-automatic
Flow (mixed)	9.2 l/100 km	10.1 l/100 km	9.5 l/100 km	9.7 l/100 km
Price (minimum)	4 299 000 ₽	4 800 000 ₽	4 500 000 ₽	4 300 000 ₽
Advantage	Design, ground clearance	Power, reliability	7 year warranty	Price, equipment

As can be seen from the table, Murano loses Highlander in power, but wins in efficiency and ground clearance. Santa Fe And Sorento offer a longer warranty (7 years versus 3 Nissan), but are inferior in premium finishing. If it is critical for you reliability in the secondary market, then Toyota will be the best choice. If it's more important to you modern design and comfort, then Murano quite competitive.

Separately worth mentioning Volkswagen Teramont, which is often compared to Murano due to similar dimensions. However, the German crossover offers a diesel version and all-wheel drive 4Motion with differential locking, which makes it more universal for Russian conditions. But he also stands on 500 000–700 000 ₽ more expensive.

FAQ: answers to popular questions about the new Nissan Murano

When will sales of Nissan Murano 2026 start in Russia?

Official sales start at October 2026. The first batches have already been sent to dealers, but due to logistics delays, mass deliveries will begin towards the end of the year. If you want to be among the first owners, you can pre-order on the official dealer's website - in this case you will receive priority when choosing color and equipment.

Will there be a hybrid version of Murano in Russia?

At the moment hybrid version with system e-Power announced only for the Japanese and European markets. For Russia, such plans have not yet been confirmed, but if demand is high, Nissan may consider localization. An alternative could be Nissan X-Trail Hybrid, which is already sold in the Russian Federation.

What is the real gas mileage of the 2026 Murano?

According to test drives, the actual consumption in the city is 11–12 l/100 km, on the highway - 7.5–8 l/100 km, and in the mixed cycle - about 9 l/100 km. It's on 0.5–1 l less than the previous version, thanks to a modified transmission. However, if you are often stuck in traffic jams, the consumption may increase by up to 13–14 l/100 km.

What problems did the old Murano have and are they fixed in the new one?

In the previous generation Murano owners noted the following problems:

• 🔧 CVT: with mileage over 100,000 km There could be jerks and delays when switching. In the new version, engineers have improved the cooling system and software.
• 🔧 Suspension: knocking in the front pillar on uneven surfaces. In 2026, the shock absorbers received reinforced boots and changed tuning.
• 🔧 Electronics: Multimedia system malfunctions. Now using updated software with support wireless Apple CarPlay And Android Auto.

The risk of breakdowns cannot be completely eliminated, but most of the “childhood diseases” of the previous version have been eliminated in the new body.

Is it worth taking out a Murano 2026 on credit or is it better to wait for discounts?

If you need a car right now, then the loan against 10–12% per annum (current rates from dealers Nissan) may be justified. However, historically Murano starts to fall in price after 6–8 months after the start of sales. For example, in 2023, discounts on the previous version reached 150 000–200 000 ₽ by the end of the year. If you are not pressed for time, it makes sense to wait until the spring of 2026 - by this time prices may drop, and you will also have the opportunity to choose from used copies with minimal mileage.