First glimpse of new Nissan Murano that will have internal combustion engine

Introduced in 2014 and publicly displayed as a 2015 model at the New York Auto Show, the existing Nissan Murano is undoubtedly aging in the rapidly evolving SUV market. However, new spy images suggest that Nissan has not neglected the Murano in its American vehicle lineup. These photos provide a first look at the upcoming iteration of the model.

Recently taken near Nissan's corporate headquarters in Michigan, the test vehicle, covered in camouflage, effectively conceals its design specifics. Nonetheless, key aspects of the new Murano are discernible. The V-Motion grille's contour is noticeable, seeming slightly broader but not extending as far downward into the front end as before. The currently large headlights are set to become considerably smaller, with some lighting components seemingly migrating to the grille area. Additionally, the central air intake looks to be more compact. Overall, the front-end design doesn't stray far from existing Muranos showcased at dealerships.

Viewing the vehicle from the side reveals a notable resemblance to the current Murano. The characteristic twist in the C-pillar is visible through the camouflage, and it looks like the beltline maintains its distinct curve adjacent to the side window. It's unclear if the 'floating-roof' design will persist, but the roofline seems largely unchanged. The rear shows a redesigned lower fascia, featuring a lower-set license plate area, and what appear to be smaller taillights.

Visible under the rear end are dual exhaust pipes emitting vapor, indicating that this specific test vehicle relies solely on internal combustion without any hybrid components. According to our insider sources, Nissan plans to continue with a refined 3.5-liter V6 engine, possibly mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission.

There's a sense of continuity with the next-gen Murano, reportedly due to its continued use of the existing D platform, which is shared among various Nissan and Infiniti vehicles. Consequently, this new Murano seems to be more of an evolutionary advancement rather than a radical transformation, although the interior might see more significant updates.

As for its impact on sales, only time will tell. In 2022, Nissan recorded 30,074 Murano sales, a sharp decline from the 46,117 units sold in 2021. With the 2024 model already on the market, anticipate the launch of the 2025 model sometime next year.

Source: Motor1