2025 Nissan Murano

The verdict: Nissan’s Murano returns to being a trendsetter for the 2025 model year, but its beauty runs more than just skin-deep.

Versus the competition: Tighter inside than most of its competitors, the new Murano provides a swankier cabin and more engaging driving experience than the Chevrolet Blazer, Honda Passportor Toyota Crown Signia.

When the first Nissan Murano was introduced for the 2003 model year, it was something of a revelation: Nobody had really heard of the term “crossover” before, but they knew a good-looking thing when they saw it, and the Murano’s combination of unique style and carlike comfort with a high-riding driving position made it a hit. Over the intervening two generations, however, the Murano seemed to lose its way. No longer really a trendsetter, it became something of a curious mess, and the outgoing model now looks quite long in the tooth and a perfect example of stylists not knowing when to quit.

Now we have the fourth-generation 2025 Murano, and it’s a breath of fresh air in the category. Style has returned to the Murano in spades, with a new look that introduces a bold new direction for Nissan styling overall. It’s accompanied by a sumptuous interior full of the latest technology and a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine instead of the old V-6.