2025 Mazda CX-90 vs 2026 Nissan Murano

$38,045 · Crossover

$41,670 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 bursts onto the scene with a potent 280 hp engine that leaves the 241 hp 2026 Nissan Murano grasping for air, making the Mazda the clear choice for drivers prioritizing exhilarating performance. Mazda’s larger frame, stretching 200.8 inches long, hints at its focus on on-road presence and capable handling through its standard all-wheel drive setup. While the CX-90 manages a respectable combined 25 MPG, the Murano trails slightly at 23 MPG combined, despite its smaller stature (192.9 inches long). However, the Murano dramatically overtakes the Mazda when it comes to utility, boasting a cavernous 32.9 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the CX-90's restrictive 14.9 cu ft. The Mazda offers superior torque at 332 lb-ft versus the Nissan's 260 lb-ft, underscoring its more dynamic character for spirited driving.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mazda CX-90

The CX-90 wins for commuters due to its superior fuel economy, achieving 25 combined MPG versus the Murano's 23 combined MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Nissan Murano

The 2026 Murano is the definitive family hauler, offering nearly double the utility with 32.9 cu ft of cargo space compared to the CX-90's 14.9 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Mazda CX-90

The 2025 CX-90 clearly appeals to driving enthusiasts with significantly more power, delivering 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2025 Mazda CX-90

The CX-90 presents better value by offering 39 more horsepower for $3,625 less than the starting MSRP of the Murano.

Choose the Mazda CX-90 if...

You demand maximum on-road performance, evidenced by the 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque.
You want to save money upfront, as the CX-90 starts at $38,045 versus the Murano's $41,670 MSRP.
You value efficiency in a larger vehicle, achieving 28 MPG highway compared to the Murano's 27 MPG highway.

Choose the Nissan Murano if...

Utility and storage are paramount, as the Murano offers an immense 32.9 cu ft of cargo capacity.
You prefer the smoother shifting characteristics of a 9-speed automatic transmission.
You prefer a slightly smaller vehicle footprint, with the Murano measuring 192.9 inches in length compared to the CX-90's 200.8 inches.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mazda CX-90	Nissan Murano
Length	200.8"	192.9"
Width	78.5"	78.0"
Height	68.2"	67.9"
Wheelbase	122.8"	111.2"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Mazda	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	✓	✓
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	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Brake Assist	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓
Rear Fixed Headrests	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Base Engine Displacement	3.3 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	mild hybrid	gas
Horsepower	280 hp @ 5000 rpm	241 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque	332 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm	260 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
Number of Valves	24	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	9-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	24/28 MPG	21/27 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	25 MPG	23 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	444.0/518.0 mi.	392.7/504.9 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.5 gal.	18.7 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
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	✓	—
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	—
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Infotainment Display	10.3 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	8	6
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Memory Card Slot	✓	—
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
One-Touch Power Windows	4	2
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Front Head Room	39.7 in.	41.1 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	44.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.2 in.	60.8 in.
Front Hip Room	56.2 in.	56.9 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	6-way
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Rear Head Room	39.3 in.	39.7 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.4 in.	36.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	58.5 in.
Rear Hip Room	55.5 in.	56.9 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Size	19 x 8.5 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	265/55R19	P255/55R20
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy
Wheel Cover Type	—	Full
Wheel Diameter	—	20 in.

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Mazda	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	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mazda CX-90 and 2026 Nissan Murano.

How significant is the power difference between the 2025 CX-90 and the 2026 Murano?

The difference is substantial; the Mazda CX-90 boasts 280 horsepower, giving it 39 more horses than the 2026 Nissan Murano's 241 horsepower rating. This extra power is also reflected in torque figures, where the Mazda offers 332 lb-ft versus the Nissan's 260 lb-ft.

Which crossover is better for hauling cargo, the CX-90 or the Murano?

The 2026 Nissan Murano is vastly superior for cargo needs, offering 32.9 cubic feet of storage space. In contrast, the 2025 Mazda CX-90 provides only 14.9 cubic feet, suggesting the Murano is designed with bulkier hauling in mind.

Does the price difference justify the performance gap?

The Mazda CX-90 starts at $38,045, costing $3,625 less than the Murano's starting MSRP of $41,670. Getting 39 more horsepower and 72 more lb-ft of torque for less money makes the CX-90 a strong value proposition for performance seekers.

How do these AWD crossovers compare in fuel economy?

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 holds a slight edge in efficiency, achieving 25 MPG combined (24 city/28 highway) while utilizing regular unleaded fuel. The 2026 Nissan Murano is rated slightly lower at 23 MPG combined (21 city/27 highway) on the same fuel type.

Are there transmission differences between the two models?

Yes, the driving dynamics are subtly affected by the gear count; the 2025 Mazda CX-90 utilizes an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission. The 2026 Nissan Murano features a 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission, which might provide a smoother cruising experience.

What are the overall dimensions difference between the CX-90 and Murano?

The CX-90 is the larger vehicle, measuring 200.8 inches in length, 78.5 inches in width, and 68.2 inches in height. The Murano is more compact, measuring 192.9 inches long, 78.0 inches wide, and 67.9 inches tall.