Compare the2022 BMW X4VS 2021 Nissan Murano

The X4’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Murano doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The X4 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Murano doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the X4. But it costs extra on the Murano.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the X4’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Murano doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the X4 and the Murano have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The X4 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Murano’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The X4’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Murano’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X4 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Nissan doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Murano.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 21st.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 1 place higher in reliability than Nissan.

The X4 xDrive30i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 18 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 240) than the Murano’s 3.5 DOHC V6. The X4 M40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 122 more horsepower (382 vs. 260) and 129 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 240) than the Murano’s 3.5 DOHC V6.

On the EPA test cycle the X4 gets better mileage than the Murano:

Regenerative brakes improve the X4’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Murano doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the X4’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Murano doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

For better stopping power the X4’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Murano:

The X4 stops shorter than the Murano:

For better traction, the X4 has larger standard tires than the Murano (245/50R19 vs. 235/65R18). The X4’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Murano (F:245/44R20 & R:275/40R20 vs. 235/65R18).

The X4’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Murano’s standard 65 series tires. The X4 M40i’s optional 245/40R21 front and 275/35R21 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the Murano’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X4 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Murano. The X4 M40i’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Murano.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X4 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Murano doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X4 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Murano’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The X4 offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Murano’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X4’s wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the Murano (112.8 inches vs. 111.2 inches).

The X4’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.2% to 49.8%) than the Murano’s (58.9% to 41.1%). This gives the X4 more stable handling and braking.

The X4 M40i handles at .89 G’s, while the Murano Platinum AWD pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X4 M40i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.2 seconds quicker than the Murano Platinum AWD (25.6 seconds @ .73 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .64 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X4 has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Murano (8 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the X4 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The X4 is 5.2 inches shorter than the Murano, making the X4 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The engine in the X4 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Murano. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Nissan. J.D. Power ranks BMW 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 12% lower rating, Nissan is ranked 17th.

The X4 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Murano doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The X4’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Murano’s parking brake has to released manually.

The power windows standard on both the X4 and the Murano have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the X4 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Murano prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The X4’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Murano’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The X4’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Murano S’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted. The Murano SV/SL/Platinum’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X4 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Murano doesn’t offer cornering lights. The X4 also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The X4’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan only offers heated mirrors on the Murano SV/SL/Platinum.

The X4’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Murano offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The X4’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Murano doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The X4 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the X4 will retain 45.7% to 48.49% of its original price after five years, while the Murano only retains 42.61% to 43.53%.