Compare the2026 Mazda CX-5 VS 2026 Nissan Murano

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Mazda CX-5 achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Nissan Murano, which scored only an “Acceptable” in these critical safety features.

The CX-5 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.

Both the CX-5 and Murano have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the CX-5 has Smart Braking Support - Rear Crossing (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-5 and the Murano have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all-wheel drive, 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.

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 CX-5’s reliability 17 points higher than the Murano.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda third in reliability, above the industry average. With 54 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 23rd.

On the EPA test cycle the CX-5 gets better fuel mileage than the Murano (24 city/30 hwy vs. 21 city/27 hwy).

The CX-5 has a standard locking fuel door, which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Murano. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mazda CX-5 higher (6 out of 10) than the Nissan Murano (5). This means the CX-5 produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Murano every 15,000 miles.

The CX-5 stops shorter than the Murano:

	CX-5	Murano
60 to 0 MPH	125 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend

The CX-5 has engine speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Murano doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The CX-5’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (57% to 43%) than the Murano’s (58.8% to 41.2%). This gives the CX-5 more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the CX-5’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Murano’s (36.8 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

The Mazda CX-5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 550 pounds less than the Nissan Murano.

The CX-5 is 8.3 inches shorter than the Murano, making the CX-5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The CX-5 has .5 inches more rear headroom and 3.6 inches more rear legroom than the Murano.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the CX-5’s rear seats recline. The Murano’s rear seats don’t recline.

The CX-5 has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Murano with its rear seat up (33.7 vs. 32.9 cubic feet). The CX-5 has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Murano with its rear seat folded (66.5 vs. 63.5 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the CX-5 easier. The CX-5’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.5 inches, while the Murano’s liftover is 30.7 inches.

The CX-5’s cargo area is larger than the Murano’s in almost every dimension:

	CX-5	Murano
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	39.1”/75”	38.2”/73.7”
Max Width	57.5”	55.9”
Min Width	41.3”	43.7”
Height	33.9”	31.7”

The CX-5’s power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Murano’s power window switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The CX-5’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 standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The CX-5’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Murano’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-5 Premium Plus has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Murano doesn’t offer cornering lights.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Mazda CX-5 retains 57.6% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 44.66% resale value of the 2026 Nissan Murano after five years, which can save the Mazda’s owner up to $10197 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mazda CX-5, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Nissan Murano isn't recommended.

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the Nissan Murano by over three to one during 2025.