Compare the2024 Nissan MuranoVS 2024 Volvo XC40

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 XC40 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the Murano and the XC40 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, 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 XC40:

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 XC40:

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 128 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The XC40 has not been fully tested, yet.

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the Murano 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the XC40. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the XC40 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.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Murano first among midsize suvs in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The XC40 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 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 70 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.

The Murano’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 13 more horsepower (260 vs. 247) than the XC40’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Nissan Murano uses regular unleaded gasoline. The XC40 requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Murano has 4.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC40 (19 vs. 14.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 XC40 doesn’t offer a CVT.

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 XC40 are solid, not vented.

The Murano stops much shorter than the XC40:

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 XC40 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Murano’s wheelbase is 4.8 inches longer than on the XC40 (111.2 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Murano is 1.6 inches wider in the front and .6 inches wider in the rear than on the XC40.

The Murano Platinum AWD handles at .82 G’s, while the XC40 B5 Plus pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

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 XC40 (.34) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Murano get better fuel mileage.

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 XC40 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Murano has 10.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XC40 (108.1 vs. 98).

The Murano has .9 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front hip room, 2.8 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, 2.6 inches more rear legroom, .6 inches more rear hip room and 2.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the XC40.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Murano’s rear seats recline. The XC40’s rear seats don’t recline.

The front step up height for the Murano is 1.9 inches lower than the XC40 (15.8” vs. 17.7”). The Murano’s rear step up height is 3.1 inches lower than the XC40’s (15.1” vs. 18.2”).

The Murano has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XC40 with its rear seat up (32.1 vs. 20.4 cubic feet). The Murano has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XC40 with its rear seat folded (67 vs. 57.5 cubic feet).

The Murano’s cargo area is larger than the XC40’s in every dimension:

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 XC40 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 XC40 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

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 XC40 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Murano is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The XC40 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Nissan Murano and the Volvo XC40, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Murano second among midsize suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The XC40 isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Nissan Murano outsold the Volvo XC40 by 62% during 2022.