Compare the2023 Nissan MuranoVS 2023 Volvo XC60

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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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 XC60 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 XC60 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the Murano and the XC60 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, 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 Volvo XC60:

	Murano	XC60
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Leg Forces (l/r)	242/256 lbs.	489/470 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	25%	28%
Neck Stress	124 lbs.	179 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	169/236 lbs.	329/351 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 Volvo XC60:

	Murano	XC60
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Abdominal Force	102 lbs.	126 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	148	185
Spine Acceleration	31 G’s	45 G’s
Hip Force	299 lbs.	906 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 front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Murano its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 126 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The XC60 is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

Warranty

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the Murano 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the XC60. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the XC60 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.

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 16 points higher than the XC60.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Murano first among midsize suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The XC60 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in initial quality. With 89 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 With 51 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Nissan higher than Volvo.

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.

Engine

The Murano’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 13 more horsepower (260 vs. 247) than the XC60 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Nissan Murano uses regular unleaded gasoline. The XC60 requires premium, 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 XC60 doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The Murano stops much shorter than the XC60:

	Murano	XC60
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	131 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 XC60 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

The front and rear suspension of the Murano uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the XC60, 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.

The Murano Platinum AWD handles at .82 G’s, while the XC60 Recharge Core pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

Chassis

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 XC60 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Murano has 5.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XC60 (108.1 vs. 103).

The Murano has 1.9 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.8 inches more rear headroom, .7 inches more rear legroom and 2.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the XC60.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Murano’s rear seats recline. The XC60’s rear seats don’t recline.

The front step up height for the Murano is 3.2 inches lower than the XC60 (15.8” vs. 19”). The Murano’s rear step up height is 4.4 inches lower than the XC60’s (15.1” vs. 19.5”).

Cargo Capacity

The Murano has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XC60 with its rear seat up (32.1 vs. 24.4 cubic feet). The Murano has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XC60 with its rear seat folded (67 vs. 63.3 cubic feet).

The Murano’s cargo area is larger than the XC60’s in almost every dimension:

	Murano	XC60
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	37”/74.4”	37.8”/68.7”
Max Width	54”	43.5”
Min Width	43”	39.8”
Height	33.7”	30.6”

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Murano’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The XC60 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

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 XC60 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 XC60’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 XC60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Murano is less expensive to operate than the XC60 because it costs $209 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Murano than the XC60, including $99 less for front brake pads, $114 less for a starter, $34 less for fuel injection and $262 less for a fuel pump.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Nissan Murano, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volvo XC60 isn't recommended.

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 XC60 isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Nissan Murano outsold the Volvo XC60 by 11% during 2021.

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