Compare the2025 Mazda CX-70VS 2024 Nissan Murano

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mazda CX-70 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.

With its standard Smart Brake Support, the Mazda CX-70 is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Nissan Murano, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	CX-70	Murano
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-23 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
37 MPH Brights	-33 MPH	-27 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	2.4 sec	1.5 sec
37 MPH Low beams	-26 MPH	-20 MPH
Warning Issued-Low beams	1.5 sec	1 sec

The CX-70 Premium has a standard Secondary Collision Reduction System, which automatically applies 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 CX-70. But it costs extra on the Murano.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the CX-70’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Murano doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the CX-70 and Murano have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the CX-70 has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Murano’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the CX-70 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, 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 around view monitors.

The Mazda CX-70 weighs 698 to 1306 pounds more than the Nissan Murano. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Mazda CX-70 is much safer than the Murano:

	CX-70	Murano
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	POOR
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	104	286
Neck Tension	45 lbs.	402 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.28 in	1.65 in
Shoulder Force	134 lbs.	290 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.22 in	1.69 in
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	513 lbs.	1138 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	18	182
Neck Compression	67 lbs.	112 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.39 in	.63 in
Shoulder Force	156 lbs.	178 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.75 in	.79 in
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Mazda CX-70 achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Murano is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Nissan is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 10 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

Engine

The CX-70’s standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 20 more horsepower (280 vs. 260) and 92 lbs.-ft. more torque (332 vs. 240) than the Murano’s 3.5 DOHC V6. The CX-70 PHEV’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 63 more horsepower (323 vs. 260) and 129 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 240) than the Murano’s 3.5 DOHC V6. The CX-70 Turbo S’ standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 80 more horsepower (340 vs. 260) and 129 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 240) than the Murano’s 3.5 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the CX-70 PHEV 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Nissan Murano:

	CX-70	Murano
Zero to 60 MPH	5.9 sec	7.5 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	15.2 sec	19.4 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.2 sec	7.6 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	2.7 sec	3.8 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	3.9 sec	4.9 sec
Quarter Mile	14.4 sec	15.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	97 MPH	92 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the CX-70 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Murano:

			MPG
CX-70
	AWD	3.3 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	24 city/28 hwy
		Turbo S 3.3 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	23 city/28 hwy
Murano
	FWD	3.5 DOHC V6	20 city/28 hwy
	AWD	3.5 DOHC V6	20 city/28 hwy

The CX-70 PHEV can travel with zero emissions for 26 miles. The Murano can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the CX-70’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Murano doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the CX-70’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.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the CX-70’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Murano:

	CX-70	CX-70 Turbo S/PHEV	Murano
Front Rotors	12.9 inches	13.7 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	13.8 inches	12.1 inches

The CX-70 stops shorter than the Murano:

	CX-70	Murano
70 to 0 MPH	171 feet	175 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the CX-70 has larger standard tires than the Murano (265/55R19 vs. 235/65R18). The CX-70 Premium’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Murano (275/45R21 vs. 235/65R18).

The CX-70’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Murano SV’s standard 65 series tires. The CX-70 Premium’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Murano Midnight/SL/Platinum’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-70 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Murano SV. The CX-70 Premium’s 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the Murano Midnight/SL/Platinum.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-70’s wheelbase is 11.6 inches longer than on the Murano (122.8 inches vs. 111.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CX-70 is 2.5 inches wider in the front and 2.6 inches wider in the rear than on the Murano.

The CX-70 PHEV Premium Plus handles at .82 G’s, while the Murano Platinum AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CX-70 PHEV Premium Plus executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Murano Platinum AWD (26.9 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .64 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CX-70’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Murano’s (38.1 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-70 has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Murano (8 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the CX-70 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The CX-70 Turbo S/PHEV’s minimum ground clearance is 1.2 inches higher than on the Murano (8.1 vs. 6.9 inches).

Passenger Space

The CX-70 has 33.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Murano (141.6 vs. 108.1).

The CX-70 has 1.2 inches more front legroom, .8 inches more front hip room, .7 inches more rear legroom and .3 inches more rear hip room than the Murano.

Cargo Capacity

The CX-70 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Murano with its rear seat up (39.6 vs. 32.1 cubic feet). The CX-70 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Murano with its rear seat folded (75.3 vs. 67 cubic feet).

The CX-70’s cargo area is larger than the Murano’s in almost every dimension:

	CX-70	Murano
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	50.1”/97.5”	37”/74.4”
Max Width	49.8”	54”
Min Width	43.7”	43”
Height	31.6”	33.7”

Towing

The CX-70’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Murano’s (3500 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Nissan Murano is only 1500 pounds. The CX-70 offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the CX-70 uses the Dynamic Stability Control 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 engine in the CX-70 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Murano. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The CX-70 Premium has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Murano doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The CX-70’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 CX-70 and the Murano have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the CX-70 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 CX-70’s front and rear power windows all 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 Murano’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The CX-70’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Murano’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 CX-70 Turbo S has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Murano doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the CX-70 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Murano doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The CX-70’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan only offers heated mirrors on the Murano SV/Midnight/SL/Platinum.

The CX-70 Premium’s standard rear and 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 has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Mazda CX-70 and Nissan Murano offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The CX-70 offers available power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Murano’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mazda CX-70 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Murano.

The CX-70 Premium Plus has a 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, 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.