In a market ripe with crossovers, the Nissan Murano is one of the older models in the segment, having debuted back in 2003. The current, third-gen version launched back in the 2014 model year, meaning that it’s getting a bit long in the proverbial tooth. However, as our sister site Motrolix recently reported, a redesigned version of the Ford Edge rival is expected to launch in 2025 sporting exterior styling inspired by the all-electric Ariya, which just debuted for the 2023 model year. Now, Ford Authority has spotted a 2025 Nissan Murano out testing.
This 2025 Murano prototype was spotted in the Metro Detroit area wearing heavy camo, but we can still get a pretty good sense of that Ariya influence, regardless. The redesigned model will reportedly continue to ride on the existing D-platform – which it shares with the Infiniti QX60 and QX65 – though it will likely receive some updates in that area, regardless.
In terms of mechanicals, the 2024 Nissan Murano is expected to utilize the existing 3.5L V6 – like the current model – and the new ZF nine-speed automatic transmission present in quite a few current Nissan models including the Frontier and Pathfinder, though a hybrid variant remains a possibility as well. Currently, production of the new Murano is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2024.
Sales Numbers - Midsize & Full-Size Mainstream Crossovers - H1 2023 - USA
| MODEL | YTD 23 / YTD 22 | YTD 23 | YTD 22 | YTD 23 SHARE | YTD 22 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | -7.01% | 124,956 | 134,369 | 12% | 14% |
| TOYOTA HIGHLANDER | -3.53% | 113,264 | 117,403 | 11% | 12% |
| FORD EXPLORER | +1.46% | 104,423 | 102,917 | 10% | 11% |
| CHEVROLET TRAVERSE | +55.02% | 68,681 | 44,306 | 7% | 5% |
| HYUNDAI SANTA FE | +5.61% | 61,142 | 57,895 | 6% | 6% |
| HONDA PILOT | +20.13% | 55,783 | 46,435 | 5% | 5% |
| KIA TELLURIDE | +17.89% | 55,284 | 46,893 | 5% | 5% |
| FORD EDGE | -9.66% | 46,484 | 51,453 | 4% | 5% |
| KIA SORENTO | +9.64% | 42,807 | 39,045 | 4% | 4% |
| NISSAN PATHFINDER | +76.18% | 42,773 | 24,278 | 4% | 3% |
| VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS | +0.53% | 40,628 | 40,412 | 4% | 4% |
| GMC ACADIA | +62.77% | 40,150 | 24,666 | 4% | 3% |
| HYUNDAI PALISADE | -9.60% | 39,447 | 43,637 | 4% | 5% |
| DODGE DURANGO | +81.56% | 37,109 | 20,439 | 4% | 2% |
| CHEVROLET BLAZER | +0.72% | 33,343 | 33,104 | 3% | 3% |
| SUBARU ASCENT | +7.14% | 33,141 | 30,931 | 3% | 3% |
| MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER | +3.77% | 24,182 | 23,303 | 2% | 2% |
| HONDA PASSPORT | +18.42% | 23,804 | 20,102 | 2% | 2% |
| NISSAN MURANO | +26.13% | 21,188 | 16,799 | 2% | 2% |
| MAZDA CX-9 | +7.29% | 17,359 | 16,180 | 2% | 2% |
| TOYOTA VENZA | -29.94% | 13,077 | 18,666 | 1% | 2% |
| MAZDA CX-90 | * | 5,704 | 0 | 1% | 0% |
| TOTAL | +9.60% | 1,044,729 | 953,233 |
Looking at the sales charts, it’s clear that the Murano is in need of these updates, as the crossover lands near the bottom of the mid- and full-size crossover heap. In the first half of the year, Nissan sold a total of 21,188 units – good enough for a two percent market share, while the Murano only managed to best the Mazda CX-9, Toyota Venza, and Mazda CX-90 in a crowded segment.
While the Murano is indeed a direct competitor to the Ford Edge, that latter model is set to be discontinued following the 2024 model year. As Ford Authority previously reported, the next-generation 2024 Lincoln Nautilus – which shares a platform with the Edge – will be built in China, while both of those models will be replaced at the Oakville Assembly plant by the forthcoming all-electric Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator. FoMoCo is set to exit the two-row, mid-size crossover segment altogether, in fact, as it focuses on three-row models instead.
We’ll have more on everything Ford’s competition is up to soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for ongoing Ford news coverage.
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Other brands investing. Ford saying, go ahead and take our market share, we don’t care.
Time for new leadership!