2021 NISSAN MURANO | 5N1AZ2CJ2MC133076
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2021 NISSAN MURANO | 5N1AZ2CJ2MC133076
Specifications
1
~$50,000
Engine: 3.5L naturally aspirated V6
Torque: 325 Nm
0–100 km/h: ~7.3 s
While not marketed as a performance SUV, the Nissan Murano delivers respectable straight-line performance thanks to its 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 260 hp and 325 Nm of torque. Paired with Nissan’s Xtronic CVT and optional AWD, it achieves 0–100 km/h in about 7.3 seconds — quick for a midsize crossover focused on comfort. The power delivery is smooth and consistent, with the naturally aspirated V6 providing a linear throttle response that contrasts with the peaky nature of many turbocharged rivals.
Handling is tuned for comfort rather than agility, with soft suspension that soaks up road imperfections but results in noticeable body roll during hard cornering. The steering is light and somewhat vague, suited to relaxed highway cruising rather than spirited backroad driving. The Murano’s wide stance and stable platform help it feel planted, but its dynamics prioritize luxury-style ride isolation over responsiveness.
Ultimately, the Murano serves as a high-style, comfort-first crossover rather than a sporty SUV. It’s better suited to refined daily driving and long-distance travel than twisty roads. The V6 engine gives it enough grunt to feel confident in most situations, while the CVT contributes to fuel efficiency and smoothness. It fills the role of a premium-feeling midsize crossover that emphasizes design, space, and serenity over performance.
Body Styles
The Murano is a five-door midsize crossover SUV with a bold, sculpted exterior and a fastback-inspired silhouette. Its design is dominated by Nissan’s “V-Motion” front grille, boomerang-style headlights, and a dramatic floating roof created by blacked-out rear pillars. Measuring approximately 4.89 meters in length, the Murano is on the larger end of the two-row SUV class. The roofline tapers gently toward the rear, giving it a coupe-like stance without compromising rear headroom. Its broad shoulders and strong fender lines convey solidity, while the ride height and wheel arch design maintain a commanding SUV presence.
Model Name Meaning (Manufacturer)
The name “Murano” is derived from the Italian island of Murano, located near Venice and renowned for its centuries-old tradition of artistic glassmaking. Nissan selected the name to evoke elegance, craftsmanship, and European-inspired design — themes that have guided the Murano’s identity since its inception as a design-forward crossover.
Model Name Meaning (Languages)
In linguistic terms, “Murano” resonates globally due to its Italian roots, suggesting sophistication, artistry, and cultural heritage. The name lacks direct translation in most languages but carries an aspirational, European feel. Its fluid pronunciation and connection to fine craftsmanship support the vehicle’s upscale branding across international markets.
Body & Interior Colors and Rims
The Murano is available in a refined palette of exterior colors including Pearl White, Deep Blue Pearl, Gun Metallic, Magnetic Black, Sunset Drift (orange metallic), and Scarlet Ember. Premium two-tone options and color-shifting paints were added in later model years. Chrome window trim, satin-finish roof rails, and LED lighting details enhance the SUV’s upscale image, while the distinctive rear light signature underscores its coupe-like rear taper.
The interior showcases Nissan’s “Gliding Wing” design theme, with flowing lines, a wraparound dashboard, and a strong horizontal layout. Upholstery ranges from standard cloth to soft-touch leather, with top trims offering semi-aniline leather in hues like Cashmere, Graphite, and Mocha. The seats are Nissan’s Zero Gravity design, engineered for long-distance comfort, with optional heating, cooling, and memory. Interior finishes include dark woodgrain, silver metallic accents, and illuminated controls, giving the cabin an airy, modern ambiance.
Wheel options span from 18 to 20 inches depending on trim. Designs include multi-spoke machined alloys, turbine-style wheels, and split-spoke patterns. Finishes include bright silver, dark metallic, and gloss black. The largest wheels on Platinum trims help fill the arches for a more premium look, complementing the SUV’s wide stance and coupe-like form.
Top Expensive Options
- Dual-Panel Panoramic Moonroof: $1,500
- NissanConnect Navigation with 9-inch Touchscreen: $1,200
- Bose 11-Speaker Premium Audio System: $1,300
- Intelligent Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection: $950
- Semi-Aniline Leather-Appointed Seats with Ventilation: $1,800
- Intelligent Cruise Control with ProPILOT Assist: $1,200
- Power Tilt & Telescoping Steering Column with Memory: $600
- Motion-Activated Power Liftgate: $800
- Heated Rear Seats and Steering Wheel: $750
- Illuminated Kick Plates and Interior Ambient Lighting: $500
vs Competitors
The Murano competes with two-row midsize SUVs such as the Ford Edge, Honda Passport, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Chevrolet Blazer. While most of these models offer newer platforms or more powerful turbocharged options, the Murano emphasizes design, comfort, and interior ambiance. The Edge ST delivers more performance, but lacks the Murano’s serene ride quality. The Santa Fe is more tech-packed, but the Murano counters with a quieter cabin and a smoother V6. Compared to the Blazer, the Murano feels more premium and less aggressive. The Passport offers greater utility, yet lacks the visual drama and luxury-like interior of the Nissan. In sum, the Murano is ideal for drivers seeking a high-style, comfort-focused SUV that stands out visually without requiring luxury-badge pricing.
Fun Fact
The 3rd-generation Murano was the first Nissan SUV to feature the “floating roof” design — a styling element that later spread across nearly the entire Nissan lineup. It also debuted Nissan’s “NASA-inspired” Zero Gravity seats in the SUV segment, designed to reduce fatigue on long drives by mimicking neutral posture positions found in space.
Lot Details
Specifications
1
~$50,000
Torque:
0–100 km/h:
While not marketed as a performance SUV, the Nissan Murano delivers respectable straight-line performance thanks to its 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 260 hp and 325 Nm of torque. Paired with Nissan’s Xtronic CVT and optional AWD, it achieves 0–100 km/h in about 7.3 seconds — quick for a midsize crossover focused on comfort. The power delivery is smooth and consistent, with the naturally aspirated V6 providing a linear throttle response that contrasts with the peaky nature of many turbocharged rivals.
Handling is tuned for comfort rather than agility, with soft suspension that soaks up road imperfections but results in noticeable body roll during hard cornering. The steering is light and somewhat vague, suited to relaxed highway cruising rather than spirited backroad driving. The Murano’s wide stance and stable platform help it feel planted, but its dynamics prioritize luxury-style ride isolation over responsiveness.
Ultimately, the Murano serves as a high-style, comfort-first crossover rather than a sporty SUV. It’s better suited to refined daily driving and long-distance travel than twisty roads. The V6 engine gives it enough grunt to feel confident in most situations, while the CVT contributes to fuel efficiency and smoothness. It fills the role of a premium-feeling midsize crossover that emphasizes design, space, and serenity over performance.
Body Styles
The Murano is a five-door midsize crossover SUV with a bold, sculpted exterior and a fastback-inspired silhouette. Its design is dominated by Nissan’s “V-Motion” front grille, boomerang-style headlights, and a dramatic floating roof created by blacked-out rear pillars. Measuring approximately 4.89 meters in length, the Murano is on the larger end of the two-row SUV class. The roofline tapers gently toward the rear, giving it a coupe-like stance without compromising rear headroom. Its broad shoulders and strong fender lines convey solidity, while the ride height and wheel arch design maintain a commanding SUV presence.
Model Name Meaning (Manufacturer)
The name “Murano” is derived from the Italian island of Murano, located near Venice and renowned for its centuries-old tradition of artistic glassmaking. Nissan selected the name to evoke elegance, craftsmanship, and European-inspired design — themes that have guided the Murano’s identity since its inception as a design-forward crossover.
Model Name Meaning (Languages)
In linguistic terms, “Murano” resonates globally due to its Italian roots, suggesting sophistication, artistry, and cultural heritage. The name lacks direct translation in most languages but carries an aspirational, European feel. Its fluid pronunciation and connection to fine craftsmanship support the vehicle’s upscale branding across international markets.
Body & Interior Colors and Rims
The Murano is available in a refined palette of exterior colors including Pearl White, Deep Blue Pearl, Gun Metallic, Magnetic Black, Sunset Drift (orange metallic), and Scarlet Ember. Premium two-tone options and color-shifting paints were added in later model years. Chrome window trim, satin-finish roof rails, and LED lighting details enhance the SUV’s upscale image, while the distinctive rear light signature underscores its coupe-like rear taper.
The interior showcases Nissan’s “Gliding Wing” design theme, with flowing lines, a wraparound dashboard, and a strong horizontal layout. Upholstery ranges from standard cloth to soft-touch leather, with top trims offering semi-aniline leather in hues like Cashmere, Graphite, and Mocha. The seats are Nissan’s Zero Gravity design, engineered for long-distance comfort, with optional heating, cooling, and memory. Interior finishes include dark woodgrain, silver metallic accents, and illuminated controls, giving the cabin an airy, modern ambiance.
Wheel options span from 18 to 20 inches depending on trim. Designs include multi-spoke machined alloys, turbine-style wheels, and split-spoke patterns. Finishes include bright silver, dark metallic, and gloss black. The largest wheels on Platinum trims help fill the arches for a more premium look, complementing the SUV’s wide stance and coupe-like form.
Top Expensive Options
- Dual-Panel Panoramic Moonroof: $1,500
- NissanConnect Navigation with 9-inch Touchscreen: $1,200
- Bose 11-Speaker Premium Audio System: $1,300
- Intelligent Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection: $950
- Semi-Aniline Leather-Appointed Seats with Ventilation: $1,800
- Intelligent Cruise Control with ProPILOT Assist: $1,200
- Power Tilt & Telescoping Steering Column with Memory: $600
- Motion-Activated Power Liftgate: $800
- Heated Rear Seats and Steering Wheel: $750
- Illuminated Kick Plates and Interior Ambient Lighting: $500
vs Competitors
The Murano competes with two-row midsize SUVs such as the Ford Edge, Honda Passport, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Chevrolet Blazer. While most of these models offer newer platforms or more powerful turbocharged options, the Murano emphasizes design, comfort, and interior ambiance. The Edge ST delivers more performance, but lacks the Murano’s serene ride quality. The Santa Fe is more tech-packed, but the Murano counters with a quieter cabin and a smoother V6. Compared to the Blazer, the Murano feels more premium and less aggressive. The Passport offers greater utility, yet lacks the visual drama and luxury-like interior of the Nissan. In sum, the Murano is ideal for drivers seeking a high-style, comfort-focused SUV that stands out visually without requiring luxury-badge pricing.
Fun Fact
The 3rd-generation Murano was the first Nissan SUV to feature the “floating roof” design — a styling element that later spread across nearly the entire Nissan lineup. It also debuted Nissan’s “NASA-inspired” Zero Gravity seats in the SUV segment, designed to reduce fatigue on long drives by mimicking neutral posture positions found in space.