Compare the2023 Nissan MuranoVS 2023 BMW X3

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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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 X3 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 X3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the Murano and the X3 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.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Nissan Murano is safer than the BMW X3:

	Murano	X3
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Compression	34 lbs.	64 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	25%	38%
Neck Stress	124 lbs.	139 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Nissan Murano is safer than the BMW X3:

	Murano	X3
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Abdominal Force	102 lbs.	153 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	31 G’s	45 G’s
Hip Force	299 lbs.	794 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	41 G’s	43 G’s
Hip Force	591 lbs.	624 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Murano is 1.2% to 2.1% less likely to roll over than the X3.

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 Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 89 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The X3 has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the Murano 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the X3 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.

Reliability

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 30 points higher than the X3.

Engine

The Murano’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 12 more horsepower (260 vs. 248) than the X3 s/xDrive30i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Murano AWD gets better fuel mileage than the X3 M40i (20 city/28 hwy vs. 21 city/26 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Nissan Murano uses regular unleaded gasoline. The X3 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Murano has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the X3 (19 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

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 X3 doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The Murano stops much shorter than the X3:

	Murano	X3
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

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 X3 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Murano is 1.1 inches wider in the front and .6 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the X3.

The Murano Platinum AWD handles at .82 G’s, while the X3 xDrive30i pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Murano’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the X3’s (38.7 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

Chassis

The Nissan Murano may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 250 pounds less than the BMW X3.

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 X3 (.32 to .35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Murano get better fuel mileage.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Murano Platinum AWD is quieter than the X3 M40i xDrive:

	Murano	X3
Full-Throttle	75 dB	80 dB
70 MPH Cruising	66 dB	69 dB

Passenger Space

The Murano has 6.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the X3 (108.1 vs. 101.4).

The Murano has .2 inches more front legroom, 1.9 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, 2.3 inches more rear legroom and 2.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the X3.

The front step up height for the Murano is 2.7 inches lower than the X3 (15.8” vs. 18.5”). The Murano’s rear step up height is 3.4 inches lower than the X3’s (15.1” vs. 18.5”).

Cargo Capacity

The Murano has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the X3 with its rear seat up (32.1 vs. 28.7 cubic feet). The Murano has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X3 with its rear seat folded (67 vs. 62.7 cubic feet).

The Murano’s cargo area is larger than the X3’s in almost every dimension:

	Murano	X3
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	37”/74.4”	36.5”/69”
Max Width	54”	47”
Min Width	43”	43.3”
Height	33.7”	30.1”

Ergonomics

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 X3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Murano has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the X3 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Murano is less expensive to operate than the X3 because it costs $545 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Murano than the X3, including $384 less for a water pump, $566 less for a muffler, $62 less for front brake pads, $246 less for a starter, $121 less for fuel injection, $213 less for front struts, $187 less for a timing belt/chain and $512 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Nissan Murano and the BMW X3, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Murano first among midsize suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The X3 isn’t in the top three in its category.