2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Nissan Murano

$40,050 · Crossover

$40,470 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Ford Explorer bursts onto the scene with muscle, boasting a potent 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque delivered through its rear-wheel-drive platform, injecting genuine dynamism into the crossover segment. In contrast, the 2025 Nissan Murano focuses on refined, accessible daily driving, offering a respectable 241 hp and front-wheel-drive stability, albeit with less outright shove. The Explorer’s sheer size, measuring 198.8 inches long, promises substantial interior volume, though its stated cargo capacity comes in at a rather modest 18.2 cu ft. The Murano, significantly smaller at 192.9 inches in length, compensates brilliantly with a vastly superior 32.9 cu ft of cargo space. While both vehicles hover near the $40,000 mark—the Explorer at $40,050 and the Murano at $40,470—the Explorer clearly prioritizes a performance edge, pulling ahead by 59 horsepower in this head-to-head contest.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Nissan Murano

The Murano offers marginally better fuel economy at 23 MPG combined compared to the Explorer's 24 MPG (though the Explorer has a better highway rating, the overall city drive favors the Murano's FWD setup for typical commuting ease).

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Nissan Murano

The Murano offers substantially more utility for families with a massive 32.9 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Explorer's 18.2 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Ford Explorer

The Explorer is the clear choice for driving excitement, delivering a significant 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque backed by a RWD layout.

💰 Best Value

2025 Ford Explorer

For a slightly lower MSRP of $40,050, the Explorer provides a massive 59 horsepower advantage over the $40,470 Murano.

Choose the Ford Explorer if...

You crave performance, as the 300 hp engine offers exhilarating acceleration.
Rear-wheel drive dynamics are essential to your driving preference.
You prioritize raw power, evidenced by the segment-leading 310 lb-ft of torque.

Choose the Nissan Murano if...

Maximum cargo space is required, given its superior 32.9 cu ft capacity.
You prefer the tighter maneuvering provided by its smaller 192.9-inch footprint.
Front-wheel-drive stability in varied conditions is a must-have feature.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Ford Explorer	Nissan Murano
Length	198.8"	192.9"
Width	78.9"	78.0"
Height	69.9"	67.9"
Wheelbase	119.1"	111.2"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Ford	Nissan
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags (with Head Protection Chamber)	✓	—
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	✓	—
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Preparation System	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	2	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓
Rear Fixed Headrests	—	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Ford	Nissan
Base Engine Displacement	2.3 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	300 hp @ 5500 rpm	241 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque	310 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm	260 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Ford	Nissan
Transmission Type	10-speed automatic	9-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	rear wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Ford	Nissan
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/29 MPG	21/27 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	23 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	358.0/519.1 mi.	392.7/504.9 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.9 gal.	18.7 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Ford	Nissan
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	—
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Ford	Nissan
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	✓
Infotainment Display	—	12.3 in
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Ford	Nissan
One-Touch Power Windows	2	2
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Ford	Nissan
Front Head Room	40.7 in.	41.1 in.
Front Leg Room	43.0 in.	44.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	61.8 in.	60.8 in.
Front Hip Room	59.2 in.	56.9 in.
Seat Material: Premium Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	6-way
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Ford	Nissan
Rear Head Room	40.5 in.	39.7 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.0 in.	36.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	61.9 in.	58.5 in.
Rear Hip Room	59.1 in.	56.9 in.
Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Ford	Nissan
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	18 in	20 in.
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P255/65R18	P255/55R20
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	—
Wheel Cover Type	—	Full

Suspension

Feature	Ford	Nissan
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Ford	Nissan
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	2 yr./ 24000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Ford Explorer and 2025 Nissan Murano.

Which crossover is more powerful for merging and passing?

The 2025 Ford Explorer is significantly more powerful, generating 300 horsepower compared to the Murano's 241 horsepower. This nearly 60 hp advantage means the Explorer will feel much stronger when needing immediate acceleration on the highway.

How do the dimensions of the Explorer and Murano compare?

The Ford Explorer is the larger vehicle, measuring 198.8 inches long and 69.9 inches high. The Nissan Murano is notably shorter and lower, coming in at 192.9 inches in length and 67.9 inches in height, making it slightly nimbler in tight city confines.

Does the drive type significantly affect the driving feel?

Yes, the Explorer is rear-wheel drive (RWD), favoring better weight distribution and performance handling, while the Murano is front-wheel drive (FWD), which is often preferred for consistent traction in typical wet commuting scenarios.

Which vehicle offers better practicality for hauling gear?

The Nissan Murano wins easily on raw capacity, offering 32.9 cubic feet of storage space. The 2025 Ford Explorer's cargo rating is substantially smaller at only 18.2 cubic feet.

Is there a significant price difference between the two models?

The pricing is very close, with the Ford Explorer starting at $40,050 and the Nissan Murano at $40,470. Given the power disparity, the Explorer offers better dollar-to-horsepower value.