Nissan Murano vs. Toyota Highlander

The driver-assistance suites in the Nissan Murano and the Toyota Highlander are Nissan Safety Shield®?360 and Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+. These standard suites enable you to feel more confident behind the wheel. Plus, they share brand-specific versions of these safety systems:

• Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection
• Intelligent Lane Intervention
• High Beam Assist

The Nissan Murano adds an extra layer of protection by including these additional safety features with its standard suite:

• Rear Automatic Braking?detects stationary objects behind you and can engage the brakes if you fail to stop.
• Blind Spot Warning?alerts you if there’s a vehicle in your way as you attempt to switch lanes.
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert?helps you reverse with peace of mind by detecting any traffic in your path.

As mentioned, the Toyota Highlander has a baseline suite of safety features, yet none of the three features listed above are part of it. While you can opt to add a Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert at higher trim levels, Rear Automatic Braking is unique to the Murano.

Although both?the Murano?and the Highlander offer similar comfort features, like available power-adjustable front seats, there’s a distinct difference that gives the Nissan Murano a win for comfort.

The 2023 Nissan Murano is available with Nissan Zero Gravity Seats. These seats remove pressure points, preventing fatigue in your body during longer rides.

Additionally, the Nissan Zero Gravity Seats help put your body in a neutral posture, allowing you to relax and experience superior comfort. Without this type of support in the Toyota, you may not find the Highlander quite as relaxing.

Because today’s drivers require modern technologies to remain connected and engaged while on the road, the Murano and the Highlander include many of the same infotainment features. Their similar standard tech aspects include:

• 8-inch multimedia touchscreens
• Bluetooth® for hands-free calling and audio streaming
• 6 standard speakers, with available 11-speaker premium sound systems
• Voice Recognition

In the 2023 Murano and the 2023 Highlander, you’ll also be able to plot courses to new places and view turn-by-turn instructions on the ride there.

For even more convenience, the Murano is available with Nissan Door to Door Navigation. This system allows you to send and receive directions from your smartphone to the center display. If you must park a few blocks away from your destination, it can even send you a walking route for the rest of the way.

Unfortunately, the Highlander doesn’t offer this system.

The 2023 Murano equips a 3.5L V6, while the Highlander packs a 2.4L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine under its hood. Both motors produce at least 260 horsepower, helping to deliver effortless acceleration.

Similarly, these two models come standard with Front-Wheel Drive to improve traction and fuel economy. They both also make Intelligent All-Wheel Drive available, which provides added traction and power while driving—even when cornering.

The real difference lies with each SUV’s transmission. The Toyota model has an 8-speed automatic transmission for smooth handling. Meanwhile, the Nissan equips an Xtronic CVT® (Continuously Variable Transmission) for seamless shifting, impressive passing power, and a smoother overall driving experience.