Compare the2024 Nissan MuranoVS 2024 Lexus RX

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 RX doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Murano and the RX 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, 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.

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 RX has not been fully tested, yet.

There are over 4 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Lexus 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 RX isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Murano’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 14 more horsepower (260 vs. 246) and 7 lbs.-ft. more torque (240 vs. 233) than the RX 350h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Nissan Murano is faster than the RX 350 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Nissan Murano uses regular unleaded gasoline. The RX 350 requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Murano has 4.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX 450+’s standard fuel tank (19 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Murano has 1.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX 350’s standard fuel tank (19 vs. 17.8 gallons).

The Murano stops much shorter than the RX:

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 RX doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Murano Platinum AWD handles at .81 G’s, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Murano Platinum AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the RX 350h (27.8 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

The Nissan Murano may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 650 pounds less than the Lexus RX.

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 RX (.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 RX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Murano has .4 inches more front headroom, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear headroom, 1.3 inches more rear legroom and 2.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the RX.

The Murano has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the RX with its rear seat up (32.1 vs. 29.6 cubic feet). The Murano has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RX with its rear seat folded (67 vs. 46.2 cubic feet).

The Murano’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RX’s (1500 vs. 0 pounds).

Insurance will cost less for the Murano owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Murano will cost $935 to $4315 less than the RX over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Nissan Murano will be $7979 to $10190 less than for the Lexus RX.

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