Compare the2024 Nissan MuranoVS 2023 Mercedes GLC Coupe

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 GLC Coupe 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 GLC Coupe doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Murano’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the GLC Coupe.

Both the Murano and the GLC Coupe 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

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 GLC Coupe has not been tested, yet.

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the Murano 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the GLC Coupe. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the GLC Coupe ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

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

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 GLC Coupe.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Murano first among midsize suvs in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The GLC Coupe 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 Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan above average in initial quality. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Nissan 9 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The Murano’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 5 more horsepower (260 vs. 255) than the GLC Coupe’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Murano gets better mileage than the GLC Coupe:

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

The Murano has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the GLC Coupe (19 vs. 17.4 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 GLC Coupe doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Murano stops much shorter than the GLC Coupe:

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 GLC Coupe doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Murano Platinum AWD handles at .82 G’s, while the GLC 300 Coupe pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Murano has an electronically controlled liquid-filled front engine mount. A computer-controlled electric current in the liquid changes its viscosity, allowing the mount to dampen the engine completely at all RPMs. The GLC Coupe uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

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 GLC Coupe (.33) 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 GLC Coupe doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Murano has 1 inch more front headroom, 2.2 inches more front shoulder room, 1.5 inches more rear headroom, 1.5 inches more rear legroom and 2.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the GLC Coupe.

The Murano has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the GLC Coupe with its rear seat up (32.1 vs. 17.6 cubic feet). The Murano has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the GLC Coupe with its rear seat folded (67 vs. 49.4 cubic feet).

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Murano has a standard rear wiper. The GLC Coupe doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

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

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Murano is less expensive to operate than the GLC Coupe because it costs $364 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Murano than the GLC Coupe, including $364 less for a water pump, $213 less for a muffler, $160 less for front brake pads, $191 less for a starter, $128 less for fuel injection, $182 less for front struts and $203 less for a power steering pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Nissan Murano, 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 GLC Coupe isn’t in the top three in its category.