JD Power Impressed With New Nissan Murano

The all-new fourth generation 2025 Nissan Murano is impressing everyone and making customers feel even better about the premium fit and finish, loads of safety, and advanced technology features. J.D. Power and Associates recently got their hands on the new Murano and found it to be a compelling choice for buyers looking for something that’s upscale at a modest price.  

The Journalist Testing the Murano 

Perry Stern, the journalist who tested the Murano for J.D. Power and Associates, went to Franklin, Tennessee, and was given a 2025 Murano Platinum with a sticker price of $50,990.  

Pricing and Trim Levels 

Buyers will appreciate that the new Murano starts from $41,860 and is offered in just three trim levels, including SV, SL, and Platinum. Front-wheel drive is standard on the base SV model, although all-wheel drive is optional. The SL and Platinum models are standard with AWD. All models come with Nissan Maintenance Care, which gives owners three free oil changes over the first two years or 24,000 miles of ownership. 

A New Engine and Transmission 

For 2025, the Nissan crossover SUV gets a fresh new VC-Turbo 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 that delivers 241 horsepower with 261 lb-ft of torque and is perfectly paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. While lots of turbocharged engines, especially models from expensive luxury brands, usually require premium fuel, Nissan developed the new VC-Turbo engine to only need 87 octane. Even though the engine is small at 2.0 liters, the amount of power and torque makes the Murano feel lively and quick, allowing for plenty of passing power. Mr. Stern highlighted this in his review, saying, “There’s a satisfying push into the seat when taking off from a stoplight, and there’s more than enough power to safely pass slower vehicles on a two-lane road quickly.” 

A Transmission That Exceeds Owners’ Expectations 

The previous generation’s continuously variable transmission (CVT) helped the Murano achieve good fuel economy, but it was not a particularly popular transmission with owners or journalists. The automaker took the criticisms seriously and developed a new 9-speed automatic that works much better with the latest engine and gives the SUV better driving dynamics overall.  

Good Fuel Economy 

No matter which model you choose, FWD or AWD, the EPA estimates that the Murano will achieve 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, with 23 mpg combined. This means that with its 18.7-gallon fuel tank, the Murano will be able to travel 505 all-highway miles before needing to refuel. On a mix of city and highway, buyers can expect about 430 miles of range, making the new Murano more than just a pretty SUV.  

A New Infotainment System 

The Murano also comes standard with dual-12.3-inch displays, one for the gauge cluster and the infotainment system, with the infotainment system being all-new and more appealing for owners of SL and Platinum models. J.D. Power talked specifically about the new system, saying, “The SL and Platinum have a new Google-based system, dramatically improving over the previous version. Navigating the menus is intuitive, and I like the large, easy-to-see icons. The system includes Google Maps and Google Assistant; additional apps are available to download from the Google Play Store. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all trims and have wireless connections.” 

Safety Comes First at Nissan 

Each and every Murano features Nissan Safety Shield 360, which includes Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, High Beam Assist, Bling Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Automatic Braking, Lane Departure, and more. The available ProPILOT Assist utilizes Cruise Control and Steering Assist for hands-free highway driving. SV and Platinum models get ProPILOT Assist 1.1, which uses the navigation system to know whether curves are coming ahead and slows down accordingly.  

ProPILOT Assist Testing 

Perry Stern spoke about using the new ProPILOT Assist system, saying, “It works well to alleviate driving stress, providing steering input to keep the vehicle centered in the lane while maintaining speed and distance from the car ahead.” 

J.D. Power and Associates’ Conclusion 

The all-new Murano seems to have captured lightning in a bottle and will be riding high for years to come. As the conclusion to his review, Perry said, “With its 2025 redesign, the Nissan Murano continues on the path it started down more than 20 years ago, delivering a premium experience wrapped in a cutting-edge design … With significant upgrades in its powertrain, technology, and features, as well as its comfortable, roomy cabin, the new fourth-generation Murano has much to offer in the five-passenger crossover market.” 

All The Best Models Are Available at Dick Smith Nissan of Lexington 

This latest review highlights not just how great the Murano is but how much Nissan is bringing to customers in 2025. Not just the Murano all-new, but so the Kicks, which has been kicking butt, along with the Armada. All of these new models and more are available at Dick Smith Nissan of Lexington.  

Why Choose Dick Smith Nissan of Lexington  

At Dick Smith Nissan of Lexington, we believe our customers deserve the best prices and services. With over 100 new and used vehicles to choose from, our outstanding sales team and finance department will work hard to make sure you drive away happy. Our fantastic service department will take care of your new-to-you vehicle as if it were their own.