Compare the2024 Nissan MuranoVS 2024 Infiniti QX55

The Murano has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The QX55 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Murano’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The QX55 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Murano and the QX55 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger 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, 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 Infiniti QX55:

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 131 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The QX55 has not been fully tested, yet.

There are over 5 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Infiniti 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 QX55 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 Infiniti vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan above average in initial quality. With 32 more problems per 100 vehicles, Infiniti 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 Infiniti With 23 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Nissan higher than Infiniti.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Nissan Murano uses regular unleaded gasoline. The QX55 requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Murano has 3 gallons more fuel capacity than the QX55 (19 vs. 16 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Murano has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the QX55; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

The design of the Nissan Murano amounts to more than styling. The Murano has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .31 Cd. That is significantly lower than the QX55 (.35) 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 QX55 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Murano has 7.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the QX55 (108.1 vs. 100.2).

The Murano has .9 inches more front legroom, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, 2.9 inches more rear headroom, 1.4 inches more rear hip room and 1.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the QX55.

The front step up height for the Murano is 1.6 inches lower than the QX55 (15.8” vs. 17.4”). The Murano’s rear step up height is 2.7 inches lower than the QX55’s (15.1” vs. 17.8”).

The Murano has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the QX55 with its rear seat up (32.1 vs. 26.9 cubic feet). The Murano has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the QX55 with its rear seat folded (67 vs. 54.1 cubic feet).

The Murano has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The QX55 has no towing capacity.

The Murano is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The QX55 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the Murano owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Murano will cost $1910 to $4095 less than the QX55 over a five-year period.

The Murano will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Murano will retain 48.45% to 49.9% of its original price after five years, while the QX55 only retains 46.84% to 46.91%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Nissan Murano will be $13831 to $17039 less than for the Infiniti QX55.

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 QX55 isn’t in the top three.

The Nissan Murano outsold the Infiniti QX55 by almost six to one during 2023.