Compare the2023 Ford EdgeVS 2023 Nissan Murano

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Ford Edge have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Nissan Murano doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Edge has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Murano doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Edge. But it costs extra on the Murano.

Both the Edge and the Murano have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 and available front and rear parking sensors.

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

	Edge	Murano
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	212	342
Neck Injury Risk	22.4%	28%
Neck Compression	21 lbs.	34 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.7 inches
Neck Compression	44 lbs.	78 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	145/201 lbs.	169/236 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 Ford Edge is safer than the Nissan Murano:

	Edge	Murano
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	84	101
Hip Force	192 lbs.	392 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	103	148
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	16 inches	17 inches
HIC	257	439
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	41 G’s
Hip Force	425 lbs.	591 lbs.

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

Warranty

There are almost 3 times as many Ford dealers as there are Nissan dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Edge’s warranty.

Reliability

The Edge has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Murano doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Edge has a standard 175-amp alternator. The Murano’s 130-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Edge has a standard 760-amp battery. The Murano’s 550-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in long-term dependability. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Nissan is rated below average.

Engine

The Edge’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 40 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 240) than the Murano’s 3.5 DOHC V6. The Edge ST’s standard 2.7 turbo V6 produces 75 more horsepower (335 vs. 260) and 140 lbs.-ft. more torque (380 vs. 240) than the Murano’s 3.5 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Ford Edge turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Nissan Murano:

	Edge	Murano
Zero to 30 MPH	2.4 sec	3.1 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.8 sec	7.5 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3.6 sec	3.8 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4.8 sec	4.9 sec
Quarter Mile	15.3 sec	15.8 sec
Top Speed	130 MPH	119 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

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

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Edge’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Murano doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Edge has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Murano doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifies the Ford Edge as a “Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle” (PZEV). The Nissan Murano is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Edge	Murano
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	12.4 inches	12.1 inches
Opt Rear Rotors	13.6 inches

The Edge stops shorter than the Murano:

	Edge	Murano
60 to 0 MPH	108 feet	115 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Edge has larger standard tires than the Murano (245/60R18 vs. 235/65R18). The Edge ST’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Murano (265/40R21 vs. 235/65R18).

The Edge SE/SEL’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Murano S/SV’s standard 65 series tires. The Edge ST’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Murano Midnight/SL/Platinum’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Edge ST offers optional 21-inch wheels. The Murano’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

Suspension and Handling

The Edge has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Murano’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Edge’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Murano doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Edge ST handles at .83 G’s, while the Murano Platinum AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Edge ST executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.8 seconds quicker than the Murano Platinum AWD (26 seconds @ .7 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .64 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Edge has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Murano (8 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the Edge to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Edge ST’s minimum ground clearance is 1.3 inches higher than on the Murano (8.2 vs. 6.9 inches).

Chassis

The Edge is 4 inches shorter than the Murano, making the Edge easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Edge ST uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Murano doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Edge Titanium is quieter than the Murano Platinum AWD:

	Edge	Murano
At idle	37 dB	41 dB
Full-Throttle	68 dB	75 dB
70 MPH Cruising	65 dB	66 dB

Passenger Space

The Edge has 5.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Murano (113.9 vs. 108.1).

The Edge has .3 inches more front headroom, 2.1 inches more front legroom, .5 inches more front hip room, .8 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 1.9 inches more rear legroom, 2.3 inches more rear hip room and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Murano.

Cargo Capacity

The Edge has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Murano with its rear seat up (39.2 vs. 32.1 cubic feet). The Edge has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Murano with its rear seat folded (73.4 vs. 67 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Edge easier. The Edge’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.6 inches, while the Murano’s liftover is 30.7 inches.

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

	Edge	Murano
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	41.7”/74.8”	37”/74.4”
Max Width	63.3”	54”
Min Width	45.3”	43”
Height	34.5”	33.7”

Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the Nissan Murano is limited to 1500 pounds. The Edge offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

The Edge ST can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Edge can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Murano can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Optional Trailer Sway Control on the Edge (except SE) uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Murano doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The Edge has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The Murano doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

Ergonomics

The Edge’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Murano’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The power windows standard on both the Edge and the Murano have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Edge is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Murano prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Edge’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Murano’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted. The Edge ST/Titanium’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Murano SV/Midnight/SL/Platinum’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Edge Titanium/ST offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Murano doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Edge SEL/ST-Line/ST/Titanium’s standard rear view mirror and optional side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Murano offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Edge (except SE) offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Murano doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Edge Titanium/ST’s optional Active Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Murano doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

The Edge will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Edge will retain 48.21% to 53.65% of its original price after five years, while the Murano only retains 46.1% to 47.26%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Edge is less expensive to operate than the Murano because typical repairs cost much less on the Edge than the Murano, including $199 less for a water pump, $337 less for a starter, $196 less for fuel injection, $225 less for a fuel pump, $50 less for front struts and $131 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

The Ford Edge has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

	Edge	Murano
Consumer Reports® Recommends	TRUE	TRUE
Car Book “Best Bet”	TRUE	FALSE

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its April 2019 issue and they ranked the Ford Edge Titanium higher than the Nissan Murano Platinum AWD.

The Ford Edge outsold the Nissan Murano by almost three to one during 2022.