Compare the2022 Nissan MuranoVS 2022 BMW X4

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Nissan Murano are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X4 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Murano are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The X4 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the Murano and the X4 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Murano its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 74 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The X4 has not been tested, yet.

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the Murano 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the X4 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 3 times as many Nissan dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Murano’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Murano’s reliability 39 points higher than the X4.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan fifth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 20th, below the industry average.

The Murano’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 12 more horsepower (260 vs. 248) than the X4 xDrive30i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Nissan Murano uses regular unleaded gasoline. The X4 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Murano has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the X4 (19 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Murano has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The X4 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Murano has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The X4 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Murano is 1.1 inches wider in the front than the average track on the X4.

For better maneuverability, the Murano’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the X4’s (38.7 feet vs. 39.8 feet).

The Nissan Murano may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 350 pounds less than the BMW X4.

The Murano has 10.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the X4 (108.1 vs. 97.8).

The Murano has .4 inches more front headroom, 2 inches more front shoulder room, 2.6 inches more rear headroom, 3.2 inches more rear legroom and 2.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the X4.

The Murano has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the X4 with its rear seat up (32.1 vs. 23.7 cubic feet). The Murano has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X4 with its rear seat folded (67 vs. 50.5 cubic feet).

The Murano SL/Platinum’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The X4 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Murano has a standard rear wiper. The X4 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Nissan Murano offers an available wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The X4 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Murano is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The X4 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the Murano owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Murano will cost $2090 to $4260 less than the X4 over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Nissan Murano will be $15522 to $15898 less than for the BMW X4.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Nissan Murano, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Nissan Murano outsold the BMW X4 by over five to one during the 2021 model year.