Compare the2023 Nissan MuranoVS 2022 Ford Bronco Sport

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Model Availability
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 Bronco Sport 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 Bronco Sport 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 Bronco Sport doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Murano SL/Platinum has a standard Around View® Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Bronco Sport only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

Both the Murano and the Bronco Sport have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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 and available all wheel drive.

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 Ford Bronco Sport:

	Murano	Bronco Sport
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	25%	37%
Neck Stress	124 lbs.	177 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	169/236 lbs.	385/291 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, results indicate that the Nissan Murano is safer than the Ford Bronco Sport:

	Murano	Bronco Sport
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.9 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	102 lbs.	198 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	31 G’s	33 G’s
Hip Force	299 lbs.	689 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 1.5% to 2.3% less likely to roll over than the Bronco Sport.

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Murano’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Bronco Sport’s camshafts. If the Bronco Sport’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Murano first among midsize suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Bronco Sport 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 Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Nissan 9 places higher in reliability than Ford.

Engine

The Murano’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 79 more horsepower (260 vs. 181) and 50 lbs.-ft. more torque (240 vs. 190) than the Bronco Sport’s standard 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder. The Murano’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 10 more horsepower (260 vs. 250) than the Bronco Sport Badlands’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Nissan Murano is faster than the Ford Bronco Sport turbo 3 cyl.:

	Murano	Bronco Sport
Zero to 60 MPH	7.4 sec	9.2 sec
Quarter Mile	15.6 sec	16.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91.8 MPH	80.8 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Murano gets better mileage than the Bronco Sport:

			MPG
Murano
	FWD	3.5 DOHC V6	20 city/28 hwy
	AWD	3.5 DOHC V6	20 city/28 hwy
Bronco Sport
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/26 hwy

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

The Murano has 3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Bronco Sport (19 vs. 16 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 Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Murano’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Bronco Sport:

	Murano	Bronco Sport
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	12.1 inches
Rear Rotors	12.1 inches	11.9 inches

The Murano’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Bronco Sport are solid, not vented.

The Murano stops much shorter than the Bronco Sport:

	Murano	Bronco Sport
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	129 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Murano has larger tires than the Bronco Sport (235/65R18 vs. 225/65R17).

The Murano Midnight/SL/Platinum’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Bronco Sport’s optional 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Murano S/SV has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Bronco Sport. The Murano Midnight/SL/Platinum’s 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels optional on the Bronco Sport.

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 Bronco Sport doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Murano’s wheelbase is 6.1 inches longer than on the Bronco Sport (111.2 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Murano is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than on the Bronco Sport.

The Murano Platinum AWD handles at .81 G’s, while the Bronco Sport Outer Banks pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Murano Platinum AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Bronco Sport Outer Banks (27.8 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

Chassis

For excellent aerodynamics, the Murano has standard flush composite headlights. The Bronco Sport has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Murano Platinum AWD is quieter than the Bronco Sport Badlands (66 vs. 69 dB).

Passenger Space

The Murano has 2.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Bronco Sport (108.1 vs. 105.7).

The Murano has .2 inches more front hip room, 2.2 inches more front shoulder room, 1.8 inches more rear legroom, 1.8 inches more rear hip room and 3.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Bronco Sport.

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

Cargo Capacity

The Murano has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Bronco Sport with its rear seat folded (67 vs. 65.2 cubic feet).

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

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Murano SL/Platinum’s power liftgate can be opened just by waving your foot, leaving your hands completely free. The Murano’s power liftgate can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Towing

The Murano’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Bronco Sport’s (1500 vs. 0 pounds).

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Murano SL/Platinum, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position (with optional power wheel adjuster) and outside mirror angle. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a memory system.

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 Bronco Sport doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Murano’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Bronco Sport’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically.

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 Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

When the Murano SL/Platinum is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Bronco Sport’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Murano and the Bronco Sport offer available heated front seats. The Murano SL/Platinum also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Bronco Sport.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Murano Platinum keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Murano has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Bronco Sport and isn’t available on the Bronco Sport Base/Big Bend.

Model Availability

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

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Nissan Murano and the Ford Bronco Sport, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Nissan Murano outsold the Ford Bronco Sport by over 11 to one during 2020.