Not every SUV buyer needs third-row seating, yet many find themselves compromising comfort and features for rarely-used capacity. The all-new 2025 Nissan Murano offers an appealing alternative, focusing its resources on creating an exceptionally premium experience for five passengers instead of a mediocre experience for seven.
This fourth-generation Murano transforms what you can expect from a mid-size crossover, delivering luxury-level comfort, technology, and refinement at a mainstream price. For empty-nesters, small families, or anyone who prioritizes passenger comfort over maximum capacity, the 2025 Murano presents a persuasive value proposition against larger three-row alternatives.
Prioritizing Passenger Comfort
The 2025 Murano takes a fundamentally different approach to interior design than typical three-row SUVs. Rather than cramming in extra seats that compromise legroom and comfort, the Murano dedicates its interior space to five occupants who enjoy exceptional accommodations.
Front passengers benefit from heated seats as standard, with the Platinum trim adding ventilation and massaging functions previously found only in luxury vehicles. The driver's seat offers 8-way power adjustment with 2-way power lumbar support on the SV trim, while SL and Platinum grades enhance this with 4-way power lumbar and memory functions.
Rear passengers aren't treated as an afterthought. The second row features the Nissan Zero Gravity seat design for the first time in Murano, providing superior postural support compared to the often-flat bench seats in three-row SUVs. There's also more knee room thanks to a thinner front seat design and increased couple distance, while the rear doors open wider than the previous generation to improve access.
With heated outboard rear seats on SL and Platinum trims plus available rear door sunshades, back-seat passengers enjoy a level of comfort that third-row SUVs typically reserve only for those in the front row.
Premium Materials Without Compromise
Three-row SUVs often cut corners on material quality to maintain profitability at competitive price points. The 2025 Murano takes the opposite approach by elevating every surface you touch.
The interior follows a modern, minimalist, and elegant design theme with major elements arranged horizontally. The standard dual 12.3-inch displays are seamlessly integrated with stitched materials, and Nissan designers have ensured that occupants' bodies touch only soft materials when seated.
A standout feature is the unique dashboard finisher called "Murano Glass" that incorporates colour-shift graphics and textures playing with light. Named for the famed Venetian glassworks that inspired the crossover's name, this multi-leveled feature demonstrates the vehicle's commitment to craftsmanship.
The three interior colour themes draw inspiration from the distinctive light quality of golden hour—just before sunset. Semi-aniline quilted leather-appointed seats on the Platinum grade offer fine detailing typically found in luxury vehicles costing significantly more.
Advanced Technology for Everyday Enjoyment
While many three-row SUVs spread their technology budget thin across more seats, the 2025 Murano concentrates its innovations where they deliver maximum benefit to all occupants.
Dual 12.3-inch displays are standard across all trims—not just reserved for higher trims as in many competitors. The center touchscreen offers entertainment, information, and connectivity features including standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The left-hand display serves as a configurable digital instrument cluster with multiple display modes.
SL and Platinum grades add Google built-in functionality, bringing familiar apps like Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Play Store directly to the dashboard. This integration provides a more seamless and intuitive experience than the often-clunky proprietary systems found in many three-row alternatives.
For audiophiles, the Bose 10-speaker audio system on SL and Platinum grades delivers rich, lifelike sound throughout the cabin—something that's harder to achieve effectively in the larger, more complex acoustic space of three-row SUVs.
Driving Dynamics Built for Adults
Three-row SUVs often face compromises in handling and ride quality due to their size and weight. The 2025 Murano's more focused dimensions allow for a driving experience that feels more connected and refined.
The 2.0-liter VC-Turbo (Variable-Compression Turbo) powertrain delivers 241 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque—an increase of 20 lb-ft compared to the outgoing model. Paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission featuring paddle shifters, the Murano offers more engaging driving dynamics than typically found in larger family haulers.
All Murano grades include standard Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, providing the security and confidence that SUV buyers expect. To enhance ride quality, the new Murano adopts frequency-sensitive dampers in its suspension and electric power steering, resulting in a more refined experience on both highway cruises and urban commutes.
Practical Space Without Excess
While the 2025 Murano doesn't offer a third row, its cargo capacity remains highly practical for most real-world scenarios. Behind the 60/40 split flat-folding second row, the cargo area offers 931.6 litres of storage with the seats raised and 1,798 litres with them lowered.
For perspective, this means the Murano provides more than enough space for four full-size suitcases plus additional bags with all seats in use—ample for most family travel needs. The standard power liftgate (with motion activation on Platinum) adds convenience, while the flat load floor makes it easy to accommodate larger items when needed.
Many three-row SUV owners discover they rarely use the third row anyway, keeping it folded down to create cargo space. The Murano skips this compromise, offering substantial cargo capacity without the penalty of carrying around rarely-used seats.
Value Proposition: Premium Features at a Competitive Price
Perhaps the most compelling argument for the 2025 Murano over three-row alternatives is its value proposition. Starting at $46,848 MSRP for the SV trim, the Murano delivers premium features that would require stepping up to much higher trim levels in typical three-row SUVs.
Standard features across all trims include dual 12.3-inch displays, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and the comprehensive Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite of advanced safety technologies.
The top-tier Platinum trim at $54,498 includes refined touches like 21-inch wheels, semi-aniline leather, massaging front seats, a head-up display, and motion-activated power liftgate—features often reserved for the $60,000+ range in three-row alternatives.
Find Your Perfect Balance
The 2025 Nissan Murano demonstrates that you don't need to compromise on premium features, comfort, or technology just because you don't need seating for seven. By focusing on what matters most to drivers who prioritize quality over quantity, this fourth-generation crossover delivers exceptional value and a genuinely upscale experience.
Visit Waterloo Nissan today to experience the thoughtful design and premium comfort of the 2025 Murano. You'll quickly discover why choosing five exceptional seats over seven average ones might be the smartest automotive decision you make this year.
