Nissan Murano: honest reviews from owners, the pros and cons of the crossover

Nissan Murano is one of the most stylish and comfortable crossovers in the line of the Japanese brand, which has held its position in the market for more than 20 years. Since the debut of the first generation in 2002, the model has gone through four generations, each offering a unique combination of design, technology and performance. But what do they say about Murano real owners? Is it worth buying this crossover in 2026 or is it better to pay attention to competitors like Toyota Highlander or Hyundai Santa Fe?

In this article we have collected honest reviews o Nissan Murano from owners with different operating experience - from new cars to cars with mileage over 200,000 km. Let's sort it out real fuel consumption (not factory data), typical engine problems VQ35DE And QR25DER, nuances of the variator Jatco, and also compare configurations and prices on the secondary market. If you are planning a purchase, here you will find answers to questions that are not covered in showrooms.

1. Design and comfort: why the Murano stands out from the competition

The first thing that catches your eye when you see Nissan Murano - this is his futuristic design, which even after years does not look outdated. The owners especially praise:

• 🚗 "Floating" roof (the effect is created by black pillars and a panoramic roof), which visually makes the crossover lower and more dynamic.
• 💡 LED headlights with adaptive light (in top trim levels), which illuminate the road better than many German competitors.
• 🎨 Color solutions: for example, Murano in color Pearl White or Deep Blue Pearl looks more expensive than it costs.

Inside the cabin, the crossover pleases premium materials — soft leather, aluminum inserts, seams with contrasting stitching. However, some owners note that the plastic on the door cards and dashboard could be stronger. This is especially noticeable after 3-4 years of operation, when squeaks appear.

Ergonomics Murano gets high marks: comfortable seats with good lateral support (included in SL And Platinum - with ventilation and heating), a spacious second row (even for passengers 190+ cm tall) and a trunk volume 393 liters (1,101 l with seats folded). But there is a nuance:

⚠️ Attention: If you often transport long cargo, please note that due to the shape of the body (narrow rear), what fits into the trunk does not always fit into the trunk. Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V.

2. Engines and transmission: reliability of VQ35DE and Jatco CVT

Under the hood Nissan Murano (depending on the year and market) three main engines were installed:

Engine	Volume/Power	Years of installation	Typical problems
VQ35DE	3.5 l / 260 hp	2002–2021	Oil consumption after 150,000 km, timing chain (resource ~200,000 km)
QR25DER	2.5 l / 233 hp (hybrid)	2015–present	Problems with the turbine after 100,000 km, expensive repairs
MR20DD	2.0 l / 147 hp	2010–2014 (select markets)	Weak for a heavy crossover, high consumption

Considered the most reliable atmospheric VQ35DE — this motor is known for its “indestructibility” with proper maintenance. Owners note that when changing the oil every 7,000–10,000 km and using high-quality consumables, it easily passes 300,000+ km. However, there are two critical points:

• 🛢️ Oil consumption: after 150,000 km, many begin to add 0.5–1 liters per 5,000 km. It can be solved by replacing the valve stem seals (~30,000 rubles).
• 🔗 Timing chain: resource ~200,000 km, but if “rustling” starts, you cannot delay replacement (cost of work ~50,000 rubles).

Hybrid QR25DER (2.5 l + electric motor) is more economical, but less reliable. Owners complain about problems with the turbine after 100,000 km and the high cost of spare parts. For example, replacing a turbine costs 150,000–200,000 rub., and the hybrid battery costs ~250,000 rubles. (resource ~150,000 km).

All Murano are equipped Jatco CVT, which causes the most controversy. On the one hand, it provides smooth acceleration and low consumption on the highway. On the other hand, he is afraid of overheating and demands mandatory oil change every 60,000 km (cost ~15,000 rub.). If you ignore this rule, after 120,000–150,000 km jerks and “kicks” may appear.

3. Fuel consumption: real numbers vs factory data

Official fuel consumption figures for Nissan Murano (for example VQ35DE + variator):

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

But what do they show? real owner reviews?

Operating conditions	Actual consumption (l/100 km)	Notes
City (traffic)	14–16	In winter +2–3 l due to warming up
Route (90–110 km/h)	8.5–9.5	At a speed of 130+, consumption increases to 11–12 l
Mixed cycle	11–13	Depends on driving style and quality of gasoline

Owners of the hybrid version (QR25DER) note consumption in the city at the level 9–10 l/100 km, but only when driving carefully. On the highway, the difference with a naturally aspirated engine is minimal (8–9 liters), but the hybrid requires 95+ petrol (while VQ35DE works fine on 92).

How to reduce consumption?

Use quality oil (5W-30 or 5W-40)

Monitor tire pressure (recommended: 2.2–2.4 bar)

Avoid sudden acceleration (the variator “does not like” aggressive driving)

Clean the air filter regularly (every 15,000 km)-->

⚠️ Attention: If consumption suddenly increases by 2–3 liters for no apparent reason, check oxygen sensors (lambda probes) and PCV valve. Their malfunction is a common cause of excessive fuel consumption.

4. Reliability and typical problems after 100,000 km

According to services and owner reviews, the main “diseases” Nissan Murano appear after 100,000–150,000 km. Here's what breaks most often:

• 🔧 Suspension: stabilizer struts (~15,000 rubles per pair), bushings (~5,000 rubles), shock absorbers (~40,000 rubles per set). After 150,000 km, replacement of the silent blocks of the rear beam is often required (~25,000 rubles).
• 🔥 Cooling system: radiator leaks (especially in hybrids), water pump (~20,000 rubles), thermostat (~8,000 rubles). Antifreeze resource is 5 years or 100,000 km.
• 📡 Electronics: multimedia malfunctions (NissanConnect), parking sensors, rear view cameras. Often the culprit is oxidation of contacts.
• 🛡️ Body: rust on arches and sills after 5–7 years (especially for cars operated in regions with salt on the roads).

Deserves special attention variator. With proper maintenance it runs 200,000+ km, but if the oil is not changed on time, after 120,000 km the following may appear:

• 🔄 Jerks during acceleration (especially when “cold”).
• 🔊 Rumbles and vibrations (indicate bearing wear).
• 🚨 Emergency mode (the dashboard lights up Check Engine).

The cost of a major overhaul of the variator is 150,000–250,000 rub., so it’s not worth saving on maintenance. Owners recommend:

5. Options and prices on the secondary market (2020–2026)

On the secondary market Nissan Murano presented in three main configurations (for the Russian market):

Equipment	Year	Price (2026), rub.	Features
SE	2020–2022	2 200 000 – 2 600 000	Basic: 18" wheels, fabric interior, climate control
SL	2021–2023	2 700 000 – 3 200 000	Leather, heated/ventilated seats, 360° camera
Platinum	2022–2026	3 300 000 – 3 800 000	Premium Audio Bose, adaptive cruise, head-up display

When choosing a used one Murano pay attention to:

• 📄 Service history: if there are no receipts for changing the oil in the variator, this is a reason to bargain or refuse.
• 🔍 Body condition: check the arches, sills and underbody for rust (especially for cars from northern regions).
• 🔧 Diagnostics: be sure to check the compression in the cylinders and the condition of the timing chain (for VQ35DE).

Average price 2020 Murano included SL with mileage 50,000–80,000 km — 2.8–3.1 million rub.. Cars 2023–2026 in Platinum cost from 3.5 million rub., but there are few of them on the market yet.

⚠️ Attention: Be careful with taxi or car sharing cars. Such Murano often have mileage over 150,000 km, but a “twisted” odometer. Check the history by VIN through services like Autocode or CarVertical.

6. Comparison with competitors: Murano vs Toyota Highlander vs Hyundai Santa Fe

To understand whether it's worth buying Nissan Murano, let's compare it with the main competitors in the class:

Parameter	Nissan Murano	Toyota Highlander	Hyundai Santa Fe
Price (used, 2020)	2.8–3.2 million	3.0–3.5 million	2.5–3.0 million
Engine (base)	3.5 l, 260 hp	3.5 l, 295 hp	2.5 l, 190 hp (turbo)
Consumption (city)	14–16 l	13–15 l	11–13 l
Reliability	Good (variator is a weak point)	Excellent (automatic transmission is more reliable)	Medium (electronics may glitch)

Advantages of Murano over its competitors:

• 🎨 More stylish and memorable design.
• 🛋️ Comfortable suspension (softer than Highlander).
• 💰 Lower price on the secondary market.

Cons:

• 🔧 The variator is less reliable than the classic “automatic” Toyota.
• 🛢️ Higher fuel consumption.
• 🔄 Fewer offers with all-wheel drive (in Santa Fe it goes in the database).

If you need reliable family crossover with minimal maintenance costs - it’s better to look aside Toyota Highlander. If important design and comfort at a reasonable price - Murano would be an excellent choice. Hyundai Santa Fe suitable for those who are looking for a balance of price and equipment, but are willing to put up with a less premium interior.

7. Owner reviews: honest stories with mileage of 100,000+ km

We collected real reviews from owners Nissan Murano with different operating experience:

Review from the owner of Murano 2018 (mileage 120,000 km)

"I bought a new one in 2018, SL grade. During this time, I only replaced the stabilizer struts (every 80,000 km) and the oil in the variator (every 60,000 km). Consumption in the city is 14 liters, on the highway 8.5 liters. I drive on 92 gasoline, no problems. The downsides are the creaking of plastic in the cabin and the high cost of original spare parts. For example, replacing the front The bumper cost 80,000 rubles. Otherwise, I’m happy with the car - comfortable, soft, you don’t get tired behind the wheel even after 1000 km."

Review from the owner of Murano 2015 (mileage 210,000 km)

“I bought it with a mileage of 90,000 km in 2019. During this time I changed: the timing chain (180,000 km), shock absorbers (200,000 km), oil in the variator (every 50,000 km). Now the axle shaft seals have started leaking - I’m getting ready for replacement (~40,000 rubles). Consumption has increased to 15 liters in the city (previously there were 13). The car is reliable, but requires investment.

General conclusions from the reviews:

• ✅ Pros: comfort, appearance, engine reliability VQ35DE, spacious interior.
• ❌ Cons: high cost of spare parts, problems with the variator due to untimely maintenance, plastic squeaks.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Nissan Murano

❓ Which Murano engine is the most reliable?

The undisputed leader in reliability - atmospheric VQ35DE (3.5 l). With proper maintenance it can easily go 300,000+ km. Hybrid QR25DER more economical, but less reliable due to the turbine and complex design.

❓ How much does it cost to change the oil in a Murano variator?

Cost of changing the oil in a variator Jatco in the service - 12,000–18,000 rub. (including oil and labor). It is recommended to change every 60,000 km, even if the mileage is short.

❓ Which tires are best for Murano?

Factory wheel sizes:

• SE: 235/65 R18
• SL/Platinum: 235/55 R20

Owners recommend:

• 🌨️ Winter: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 or Michelin X-Ice North 4.
• ☀️ Summer: Continental CrossContact LX2 or Pirelli Scorpion Verde.

❓ Is it worth buying a Murano with a mileage of more than 150,000 km?

Buy Murano with mileage 150,000+ km possible, but only if the following conditions are met:

• There is a complete service history (receipts, records of oil changes in the variator).
• Engine VQ35DE (hybrid QR25DER riskier).
• There is no rust on the body and no traces of an accident.
• The price is 20–30% below the market (taking into account upcoming investments).

Be prepared to replace the suspension, seals and possible repair of the variator.

❓ What is the fuel consumption of Murano on gas?

Installing HBO on Murano with engine VQ35DE allows you to save money, but has some nuances:

• 💰 Gas consumption: 16–18 l/100 km (around the city).
• ⚠️ Risks: reduction in engine life (gas dries out the valves), possible problems with the variator due to changed dynamics.
• 🔧 Installation cost: 80,000–120,000 rub. (4th generation).

Owners recommend installing HBO only for mileages of 100,000 km/year.