Compare the2023 Nissan MuranoVS 2023 GMC Acadia

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

Safety

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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 Acadia doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Murano has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Acadia doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

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 Acadia doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Murano’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Acadia doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Murano and the Acadia have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front 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, 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 GMC Acadia:

	Murano	Acadia
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Leg Forces (l/r)	242/256 lbs.	129/383 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	266	319
Neck Injury Risk	25%	43%
Neck Stress	124 lbs.	203 lbs.
Neck Compression	78 lbs.	99 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 GMC Acadia:

	Murano	Acadia
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	101	125
Chest Movement	.9 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	102 lbs.	156 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	148	276
Spine Acceleration	31 G’s	51 G’s
Hip Force	299 lbs.	799 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	591 lbs.	760 lbs.

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

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 Acadia last would have qualified as only a standard “Top Safety Pick” in 2017.

Warranty

The Murano’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Acadia’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

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 34 points higher than the Acadia.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Murano first among midsize suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Acadia was rated third in its category.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Nissan 3 places higher in reliability than GMC.

Engine

The Murano’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 32 more horsepower (260 vs. 228) than the Acadia’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Murano
	FWD	3.5 DOHC V6	20 city/28 hwy
	AWD	3.5 DOHC V6	20 city/28 hwy
Acadia
	FWD	3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/27 hwy
	AWD	3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Nissan Murano uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Acadia with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

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 Acadia doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The Murano stops much shorter than the Acadia:

	Murano	Acadia
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	126 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Murano S/SV has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Acadia AT4.

Chassis

The Nissan Murano may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 350 pounds less than the GMC Acadia.

Passenger Space

The Murano has .1 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, 1.9 inches more rear hip room and .2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Acadia.

The front step up height for the Murano is 2.2 inches lower than the Acadia (15.8” vs. 18”). The Murano’s rear step up height is 3.9 inches lower than the Acadia’s (15.1” vs. 19”).

Cargo Capacity

The Murano has a much larger cargo volume than the Acadia with its rear seat up (32.1 vs. 12.8 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Murano easier. The Murano’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.7 inches, while the Acadia’s liftover is 32 inches.

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

	Murano	Acadia
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	37”/74.4”	18.5”/48”/83”
Max Width	54”	50”
Min Width	43”	42.5”
Height	33.7”	33”

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Murano. The Acadia doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The Murano’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Acadia’s (1500 vs. 1000 pounds).

Ergonomics

The Murano’s front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Acadia’s front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

If the front windows are left open on the Murano the driver can close them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Acadia can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Murano has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Acadia doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

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 Acadia’s headlights are rated “Marginal.”

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Murano is less expensive to operate than the Acadia because it costs $509 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Murano than the Acadia, including $95 less for front brake pads, $271 less for a timing belt/chain and $107 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Nissan Murano and the GMC Acadia, 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 Acadia isn’t in the top three in its category.

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