Compare the2022 Nissan MuranoVS 2022 BMW X6

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 X6 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 X6 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the Murano and the X6 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 X6 has not been tested, yet.

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the Murano 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X6. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the X6 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 40 points higher than the X6.

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.

On the EPA test cycle the Murano gets better mileage than the X6:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Nissan Murano uses regular unleaded gasoline. The X6 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Nissan Murano higher (5 out of 10) than the BMW X6 (3). This means the Murano produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the X6 every 15,000 miles.

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 X6 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Murano stops shorter than the X6:

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 X6 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For better maneuverability, the Murano’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the X6’s (38.7 feet vs. 41.3 feet).

The Nissan Murano may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1000 pounds less than the BMW X6.

The design of the Nissan Murano amounts to more than styling. The Murano has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .31 Cd. That is lower than the X6 (.34 to .35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Murano get better fuel mileage.

The Murano has .6 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, 2.3 inches more rear headroom, 3 inches more rear legroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the X6.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Murano’s rear seats recline. The X6’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Murano has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the X6 with its rear seat up (32.1 vs. 27.4 cubic feet). The Murano has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X6 with its rear seat folded (67 vs. 59.6 cubic feet).

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Murano has a standard rear wiper. The X6 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 X6 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Murano is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The X6 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 $7300 to $9670 less than the X6 over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Murano is less expensive to operate than the X6 because it costs $409 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Murano than the X6, including $698 less for a water pump, $1057 less for a muffler, $164 less for front brake pads, $159 less for a starter, $22 less for fuel injection, $191 less for a fuel pump, $189 less for front struts and $1291 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Nissan Murano will be $31910 to $42527 less than for the BMW X6.

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

The Nissan Murano outsold the BMW X6 by almost six to one during the 2021 model year.