The Pitch: "Elevate the Everyday"
Nissan's own tagline for the Murano is direct about its positioning — comfort and refinement over outright performance. The company makes a specific, checkable claim: "when it comes to torque, the 2027 Murano beats every competitor with its best-in-class 225 lb-ft of standard torque." That's a comparative marketing claim rather than an independently verified fact, but it's specific enough to be checked against competitor spec sheets rather than vague superlative language.
The engine itself is the VC-Turbo — a variable compression turbocharged design Nissan states is unique to the Murano, producing 241 horsepower and up to 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic and rated up to 27 highway mpg. Intelligent All-Wheel Drive with available Snow Mode is standard equipment, not a paid option.
Trims: Three Ways In
Nissan spreads the Murano across three trims. SL ($43,990) is the entry point with 20-inch Gun Metallic wheels and a 12.3-inch NissanConnect infotainment system standard. Dark Armor ($46,990) adds gloss black 21-inch wheels and exterior accents for a more aggressive styling package. Platinum ($49,790) tops the range with quilted semi-aniline leather-appointed seats and massaging front seats.
| Trim | Starting Price* | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| SL | $43,990 | 20" wheels, 12.3" NissanConnect display, Qi2 wireless charger |
| Dark Armor | $46,990 | 21" gloss black wheels, blacked-out exterior accents |
| Platinum | $49,790 | Semi-aniline leather, massaging front seats, 21" machine-finished wheels |
*Manufacturer starting prices, destination not included. Figures from Nissan's official consumer configurator, current as of writing.
"Class-exclusive Zero Gravity Seats and a torque figure Nissan says no direct competitor matches — the Murano's entire pitch is built around specific, comparative claims rather than vague comfort language."
Inside: Zero Gravity Seats and a "Monolith" Display
Nissan's interior pitch centers on two specific, named features. The Zero Gravity Seats — a design Nissan calls class-exclusive — are engineered around reducing muscle fatigue on longer drives, a claim rooted in actual ergonomic research Nissan has used across other models like the Altima and Pathfinder, not a Murano-specific gimmick. Available ventilated and massaging quilted leather seats add to the comfort-first positioning on higher trims.
The "Monolith Display" — dual 12.3-inch screens presented as one continuous unit — handles mapping, messaging, and driving info together, with Google built-in available for voice control of maps, climate, and apps. 64 colors of ambient lighting round out the cabin, alongside a standard head-up display and optional Bose Premium Audio System. Standard ProPILOT Assist handles lane centering and stop-and-go traffic management, with available ProPILOT Assist 2.1 enabling hands-off, foot-off driving in certain conditions.
What We'd Actually Ask a Dealer
If we were shopping this ourselves, the questions worth asking are: how Nissan's 225 lb-ft "best-in-class" torque claim holds up against the specific competitors we're cross-shopping (the claim doesn't name which rivals it's measured against), what real-world highway mpg looks like versus the rated 27 mpg figure, and whether ProPILOT Assist 2.1 is available on the base SL trim or reserved for higher trims — Nissan's site doesn't make that clear in the material we reviewed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Murano have a third row?
No. Nissan positions the 2027 Murano specifically as a "premium 2-row midsize SUV," distinct from three-row models like the Pathfinder.
What is the VC-Turbo engine?
A variable compression turbocharged engine Nissan states is unique to the Murano, producing 241 horsepower and up to 260 lb-ft of torque — a genuinely distinct engine design from a conventional fixed-compression turbo.
Is all-wheel drive standard on every Murano trim?
Based on Nissan's trim comparison, Intelligent All-Wheel Drive is listed as standard equipment across the lineup, not a paid upgrade.
How does the Murano compare to the Toyota Venza?
We haven't driven either back-to-back, so we won't declare a winner. What's true on paper: both are 2-row midsize SUVs positioned around comfort rather than performance, and the Murano's specific 225 lb-ft torque claim is worth verifying directly against the Venza's own published specs.
The Honest Verdict
The 2027 Nissan Murano is making a specific, comfort-first pitch: a torque figure Nissan claims beats every direct competitor, class-exclusive Zero Gravity Seats grounded in real ergonomic design work, and a genuinely distinctive VC-Turbo engine, all starting under $44,000. That's real, checkable positioning rather than vague luxury marketing. We haven't driven the 2027 model yet, so this isn't a final word on ride quality or how those comfort claims translate to a real drive — treat this as a starting point for your own test drive, not a substitute for one.
This article contains no affiliate links and no buy buttons — DopamineKart does not monetise vehicle coverage. Pricing and specifications sourced from Nissan's official consumer site (nissanusa.com) and are manufacturer-published figures current as of writing; confirm current pricing and availability with your local dealer. DopamineKart has not conducted a hands-on test drive of this vehicle; this article is a research-based breakdown, not a road test.