2023 Nissan Murano Revives A Fan-Favorite Option

Nissan currently has its freshest lineup in recent memory with an updated Armada and Kicks, a new Rogue, and even an all-new Frontier for the first time since 2004. Even the Versa, Sentra, and Altima are pretty fresh. We wish we could say the same for the Murano. The third-generation model has been around since 2014 without any major changes besides a new Midnight Edition Package introduced last year. Nissan has now announced updates for the 2023 Nissan Murano, which arrives mostly as a carryover model with adjusted pricing.

So what’s changed for the new model year?

Well, for starters, the Murano wears Nissan’s new badge, but elsewhere, two new paint colors are available: Super Black and Deep Ocean Blue Pearl (pictured). But they aren’t entirely new, or at least the latter isn’t, as Nissan’s press photos for the hue appear to be from 2021 when “Deep Blue Pearl” was added to the exterior palette. Sadly, that’s it for the updates.

Available in four trims for the 2023 model year, pricing starts with the entry-level Murano S with front-wheel-drive at $33,660 (excluding a $1,295 destination and handling fee), $750 more than last year’s model. Adding all-wheel drive brings the price to $35,360.

The Murano SV FWD costs $37,200 ($38,900 with AWD), while the Murano SL costs $41,160 ($42,860 with AWD). If you want the top-spec Murano Platinum with all the bells and whistles, it runs $45,210 with FWD ($46,910 with AWD), adding features like power steering column adjustment, driver memory, a dual-pane moonroof, and semi-aniline leather seats with heating and ventilation.

No matter which grade you get, the Murano comes with Nissan’s tried and true 3.5-liter VQ series V6 engine.

While other Nissan and Infiniti models have moved away from the VQ in favor of turbocharging, the Murano soldiers on with a far-from-class-leading 260-horsepower rating with 240 lb-ft of torque. It may be less potent than vehicles in its competitive class, but the aging V6 manages respectable fuel economy of 20/28/23 mpg city/highway/combined in both front- and all-wheel drive configurations, thanks to Nissan’s insistence on using a CVT transmission.

Inside, the Murano continues to include a strong roster of standard features, including a NissanConnect eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Other standard features include LED headlights and taillights plus dual-zone automatic climate control.

Buyers can still opt for the sporty Midnight Edition Package on the SV trim for $1,590, which blackens trim elements like the lower front fascia and grille, roof rails, mirror caps, badges, kickplates, and 20-inch alloy wheels. Elsewhere in the lineup, a Moonroof Package on the SL costs $1,490.

All Murano grades get Nissan Safety Shield 360 as standard, resulting in a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the last two years running.