The 2026 Nissan Murano: Full-Size Affluence in an Affordable Midsize SUV

Nissan is known for giving you more than you expect in every vehicle it makes, whether it’s in a performance sedan or commuter crossover. The 2026 Nissan Murano is such a vehicle, defying the automaker’s status as a mass-market brand with a midsize SUV that offers a luxurious on-road experience. Yet it remains an affordable choice for professionals, busy families, and others who want to drive a special vehicle even if they don’t have an unlimited budget.

With new standard features added to an already-impressive design, the 2026 Nissan Murano further heightens its status as a versatile and sophisticated machine. It rivals SUVs with far higher price tags in almost every category, from performance to innovative technology. Why should the 2026 Murano be your first choice? Here’s everything you should know about this two-row SUV and how it sets the bar for premium urban vehicles.

A Powertrain for Adventure or the Everyday

Are you looking for more than what a small SUV or sedan can offer when you’re highway cruising or backroad exploring? The 2026 Nissan Murano is equipped to give you just the right amount of excitement. It has a 2.0L turbo-four engine that punches above its class, producing 241 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. In other words, there’s some zip that won’t throw you for a loop, especially with the nine-speed automatic transmission that maintains optimal RPMs.

The Murano drivetrain has a big change for 2026, too: it now comes exclusively in AWD. By actively redistributing wheel torque as needed, this system gives you more grip when accelerating on the rainy, snowy, and slushy roads you often encounter. Intelligent AWD also lets you take on dirt roads and light off-roading trails—and there’s no impact on fuel economy versus the old front-wheel drive, so your fuel bills won’t go up.

Did we mention the Murano can also haul? It has a 1,500-pound towing capacity, which is enough for a small watercraft, pop-up camper, or some dirt bikes. Fuel your quest for adventure in the same midsize SUV that you drive to work or your kid’s soccer games.

An Interior Loaded With Comfort and Amenities

The gap between the Murano and other everyday SUVs widens when you look at the cabin. Premium materials, a cavernous design, and advanced connectivity are some of the ways the 2026 Nissan Murano stands out in the midsize SUV class.

Spacious and Convenient

In the Murano, long car rides become something to look forward to instead of something you tolerate. It offers way more front legroom than rivals, coming in at 44.3 inches for tall drivers and passengers. Rear legroom is more than adequate, and with 63.5 total cubic feet of cargo space, plus a power liftgate, you can fit all your cargo. The cargo capacity with the rear seats up is an impressive 32.9 cubic feet, so you don’t have to pack light even when you have a full house.

More than being roomy, the Murano makes you feel comfortable. It comes with power-adjustable heated front seats, a leatherette-wrapped steering wheel, driver lumbar support, dual-zone automatic climate control, active noise cancellation, and more to treat you like royalty. On higher trim levels, you’ll find goodies like ventilated and massaging front seats, heated rear seats, a power-adjustable heated steering wheel, ambient lighting, and even rain-sensing windshield wipers. The SL and Platinum trims also feature a panoramic moonroof, allowing you to gaze at the beautiful night sky.

Connectivity for Now and the Future

Infotainment is another strong suit in the 2026 Nissan Murano, as it recognizes the importance of staying connected without making things complicated. The 12.3-inch center touchscreen integrates NissanConnect Services powered by SiriusXM, and there’s a matching multi-function driver information display with more crucial data. Additionally, all Murano trims feature wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, four USB ports, a wireless charging pad, and Siri Voice Recognition.

That’s not all you can enjoy! Upgrade to the SL or Platinum, and you’ll be greeted by Google built-in with real-time navigation and weather, a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. By installing the MyNISSAN app on your phone, you can remotely start your car, preset the temperature, or get help locating your vehicle in a crowded parking lot. Finally, there’s an optional head-up display that projects vital information on the lower windshield.

Safe and Reliable

More than just being powerful or tech-savvy, you need a vehicle that protects its occupants and lasts a long time. There are many hazards that can strike, from potholes to wayward drivers. The Murano is made to be a vehicle you can drive for a decade or more, weathering the worst storms.

The Latest Safety Tech

Coming off a year where it received the prestigious IIHS Top Safety Pick+ accolade, the 2026 Nissan Murano is better than ever. For the first time, Murano owners can get ProPILOT Assist 2.1 as an add-on for the Platinum trim. This feature allows hands-free driving on mapped highways, using technologies like lane change assistance, cruise control support, and driver monitoring to guide you to your destination.

With standard ProPILOT Assist 1.0 and Nissan Safety Shield 360, the 2026 Nissan Murano has plenty going for it in the safety department, offering over a dozen standard driver aids, including:

• Intelligent Forward Collision Warning
• Automatic Emergency Braking with Obstruction Detection
• Rear Automatic Braking
• Intelligent Lane Intervention
• Lane Keep Assist
• Lane Departure Warning
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Blind Spot Warning
• Blind Spot Intervention
• Intelligent Driver Alertness
• Traffic Sign Recognition
• Front and Rear Sonar System

When you add passive safety features like a comprehensive air bag system, all-LED exterior lighting, dynamic stability control, and height-adjustable front seat belts, it’s no wonder the Murano is ranked so highly by safety experts.

A Long-Lasting Reputation

You’re looking for a vehicle that’s here for a good time and a long time. The Nissan Murano is happy to be both. It was the top-ranked midsize SUV in the J.D. Power 2025 US Vehicle Dependability Study, and it’s also won awards for initial quality. Buying any Nissan is like getting a ticket to drive worry-free, and the Murano takes it up a notch.

In case you’re still concerned, Nissan backs the 2026 Murano with a dependable warranty. It includes five-year and unlimited mileage corrosion protection for harsh Illinois winters, as well as three years or 36,000 miles of complimentary roadside assistance in case you encounter trouble. For added peace of mind, you will receive two years of complimentary scheduled maintenance visits, ensuring your vehicle is in good hands at our state-of-the-art, certified service center.

Travel First-Class in the 2026 Nissan Murano

You don’t need a traditional luxury nameplate to experience premium performance, creature comforts, and safety. The 2026 Nissan Murano provides everything you’re looking for and more. It’s a refined vehicle without an eye-popping price tag, and with Nissan’s famed reliability, you get excellent long-term value. Our finance team will stretch your dollars even further, securing the best possible loan rates and payment plans or discussing a lease option.

Stop at Illini Nissan or schedule an appointment online to test-drive the 2026 Nissan Murano and see why it’s one of the best-regarded midsize SUVs in North America. As the go-to Nissan dealer for drivers in Champaign and beyond, we are eager to answer your questions and do what it takes to help you drive your dream vehicle home.