Compare the2022 Nissan MuranoVS 2021 Volvo V90

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 V90 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Nissan Murano has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The V90 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Murano has standard Rear Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The V90 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Murano and the V90 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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 front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Murano its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 114 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The V90 is only a standard “Top Pick” for 2019.

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the Murano 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the V90. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the V90 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 4 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Volvo 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 37 points higher than the V90.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Murano first among midsize suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The V90 isn’t in the top three in its category.

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 Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan fifth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 64 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 29th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan 21st in reliability. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 25th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Nissan 5 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

The Murano’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 10 more horsepower (260 vs. 250) than the V90 T5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Nissan Murano uses regular unleaded gasoline. The V90 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Murano has 3.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the V90 (19 vs. 15.9 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 V90 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 V90 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The front and rear suspension of the Murano uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the V90, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

For greater off-road capability the Murano has a greater minimum ground clearance than the V90 (6.9 vs. 6.1 inches), allowing the Murano to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the Murano uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The V90 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Murano Platinum AWD is quieter than the V90 T6 AWD R-Design:

The Murano has 10.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the V90 (108.1 vs. 98).

The Murano has 1.2 inches more front headroom, 2 inches more front shoulder room, 1.8 inches more rear headroom, 2.8 inches more rear legroom and 3 inches more rear shoulder room than the V90.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Murano’s rear seats recline. The V90’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Murano has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the V90 with its rear seat up (32.1 vs. 25.5 cubic feet). The Murano has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the V90 with its rear seat folded (67 vs. 53.9 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Murano’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The V90 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

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 V90 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Murano’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the V90’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Murano has standard extendable sun visors. The V90 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Insurance will cost less for the Murano owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Murano will cost $2760 to $4995 less than the V90 over a five-year period.

The Murano will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Murano will retain 44.29% to 94.48% of its original price after five years, while the V90 only retains 44.91% to 45.59%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Nissan Murano will be $14242 to $18799 less than for the Volvo V90.

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

The Nissan Murano outsold the Volvo 90 Series by almost 30 to one during the 2021 model year.