Arriving at a car dealership near you in late 2024 for the 2025 model year, the fourth-generation Murano has been spotted with styling inspired by the Ariya and similar key features to the current generation. The 3.5-liter V6 engine is likely to remain unchanged, and there are rumors that the detested continuously variable transmission from the 2024 model will be replaced with the Pathfinder’s nine-speed automatic. While a range-extended powertrain similar to the Qashqai e-Power is a possibility, it is unlikely to be available in the US market.
In the meantime, Nissan has issued a safety recall related to quality for a small number of 2024 models. According to documents released on the NHTSA’s website, during a shift change on October 11 of last year, a worker at the assembly plant mistakenly used the wrong primer for the quarter glass assembly. After a yard audit, it was discovered that 72 vehicles were produced with the incorrect primer on both the right and left quarter glass panels. These vehicles have since been repaired.
Nissan’s US division has also implemented a quality hold at dealerships across the country, identifying 14 potentially affected vehicles manufactured for the 2024 model year at the Smyrna Assembly Plant in Tennessee. Out of the total, eight have already been repaired, while the remaining six have been delivered, resulting in a recall of these six units.
The attached report includes production dates ranging from October 11, 2023, to October 12, 2023. The use of the incorrect primer may cause the right and left quarter glass panels to detach from the vehicle while driving, posing a hazard to other vehicles on the road. Before detachment, the driver may notice an increase in wind noise or a rattling noise.
The part numbers for the quarter glass panels are 83300 5AA0A for the passenger side and 83301 5AA0A for the driver side. Nissan has not received any warranty claims or reports of incidents related to this issue. Dealers have been instructed to replace the quarter glass panels free of charge for affected customers. The replacement process takes approximately three hours to complete. Notifications will be sent to owners via first-class mail around March 1.
The transition from the 2023 to the 2024 model year took place in September 2023, and the main change for the 2024 Nissan Murano is the discontinuation of the S FWD trim level in favor of the better-equipped SV FWD. As a result, the 2024 Murano is $3,760 more expensive than its predecessor. Customers also have the option of choosing the Midnight Edition FWD, SL FWD, Platinum FWD, SV AWD, Midnight Edition AWD, SL AWD, and the top-of-the-line Platinum AWD priced at $47,900.
The most affordable Murano with all-wheel drive starts at $39,890 (excluding the $1,335 destination freight charge). As mentioned earlier, the Murano will continue to use a continuously variable transmission. The V6 engine of the Murano consumes regular fuel and achieves an estimated fuel efficiency of 20 miles per gallon in the city and 28 miles per gallon on the highway, resulting in a combined rating of 23 mpg (10.2 l/100 km) for both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions.
The Murano’s engine, with a power output of 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet (325 Nm), lacks the same level of forcefulness as the Pathfinder. On the other hand, the VQ35 engine in the family-sized crossover generates 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet (351 Nm). Notable enhancements in the Murano include direct injection (known as NEO-Di in Nissan’s terminology) and electronically controlled continuously variable valve timing (eVTC).
In terms of sales, the Murano experienced a 3.5 percent improvement in 2023 compared to the previous year, 2022. In the United States, Nissan delivered 31,137 units of the Murano in the past year, while Pathfinder deliveries saw a significant increase of 23.9 percent, reaching a total of 71,710 units. However, the Rogue remains the top-selling Nissan model in this region, with 271,458 units sold.