2025 Nissan Murano vs 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Comparison Overview
The most significant numerical divergence between the 2025 Nissan Murano and the 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is fuel economy, where the Highlander Hybrid achieves a 35 MPG combined rating, surpassing the Murano's 23 MPG combined by 12 full points. This efficiency gap comes alongside a substantial $6,550 MSRP disparity, with the Murano starting at $40,470 versus the Highlander Hybrid's $47,020. Performance metrics are closely aligned; the Highlander Hybrid produces 243 hp compared to the Murano's 241 hp, and both generate similar torque (260 lb-ft for Murano). However, powertrain differences are evident: the Murano uses a 9-speed automatic transmission and FWD, while the Highlander Hybrid employs a CVT with standard AWD. Dimensionally, the Highlander Hybrid is longer by 2.0 inches (194.9 vs. 192.9 inches), but the Murano offers significantly more storage space, boasting 32.9 cu ft of cargo capacity versus the Highlander Hybrid's 16 cu ft.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
The 2026 Highlander Hybrid's 35 MPG combined fuel economy vastly outperforms the Murano's 23 MPG, minimizing annual fuel expenditures.
2025 Nissan Murano
The 2025 Nissan Murano provides substantially more usable storage, offering 32.9 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Highlander Hybrid's 16 cu ft.
2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
The Highlander Hybrid's standard All-Wheel Drive system offers superior traction dynamics over the Murano's standard Front Wheel Drive configuration.
2025 Nissan Murano
The Murano delivers competitive power (241 hp) at a $6,550 lower entry price point than the hybrid alternative.
Choose the Nissan Murano if...
- Maximizing upfront savings is critical, given the Murano's MSRP of $40,470.
- Large cargo volume is prioritized, as the Murano provides 32.9 cu ft versus 16 cu ft in the competitor.
- A traditional 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission is preferred over a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Choose the Toyota Highlander Hybrid if...
- Achieving 35 MPG combined fuel efficiency is the primary goal, offering a 12 MPG advantage over car1.
- All-Wheel Drive is a necessity, which is standard on the Highlander Hybrid.
- A slightly longer vehicle footprint (194.9 inches) is desired for exterior presence.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Nissan Murano | Toyota Highlander Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 192.9" | 194.9" |
| Width | 78.0" | 76.0" |
| Height | 67.9" | 68.1" |
| Wheelbase | 111.2" | 112.2" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Nissan | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | — |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear 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 Fog Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 2 |
| Rear Fixed Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | — |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Nissan | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.0 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | hybrid |
| Horsepower | 241 hp @ 5600 rpm | 243 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 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 | Nissan | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 9-speed shiftable automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Nissan | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 21/27 MPG | 35/35 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 23 MPG | 35 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 392.7/504.9 mi. | 598.5/598.5 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 18.7 gal. | 17.1 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Nissan | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Wireless Charging Pad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leatherette Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Universal Remote Transmitter | — | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | — | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | — | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | — | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | — | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Nissan | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.3 in | 8.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
Power Feature
| Feature | Nissan | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 2 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Moonroof Type | — | 1st Row Power Glass |
Frontseats
| Feature | Nissan | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.1 in. | 39.6 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 44.3 in. | 42.0 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 60.8 in. | 59.0 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 56.9 in. | 57.2 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 Power Adjustments | 6-way | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Nissan | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.7 in. | 39.4 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 36.3 in. | 38.7 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 58.5 in. | 58.4 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 56.9 in. | 57.0 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | — |
| Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Nissan | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Cover Type | Full | — |
| Wheel Diameter | 20 in. | 18 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P255/55R20 | P235/65R18 |
| Wheel Material | — | Alloy |
| Spare Tire Type | — | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | — | Underbody Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Nissan | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Nissan | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 yr./ 24000 mi. | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | — | 8 yr./ 100000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Nissan Murano and 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid.
What is the actual difference in horsepower and torque between the two crossovers?
The 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid holds a marginal edge in power with 243 hp compared to the 2025 Nissan Murano's 241 hp. Both vehicles list an identical torque rating of 260 lb-ft.
How does the drivetrain setup affect the driving experience in each vehicle?
The Murano comes standard with Front Wheel Drive mated to a 9-speed automatic, focusing on traditional road manners. Conversely, the Highlander Hybrid utilizes a CVT and comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, potentially offering better all-weather grip.
Is the higher MSRP of the Highlander Hybrid justified by performance or size?
The Highlander Hybrid’s higher MSRP of $47,020 is primarily justified by its hybrid powertrain yielding 35 MPG combined, as it only offers 2.0 inches more length and significantly less cargo capacity than the Murano.
Which vehicle is more practical for carrying large amounts of gear?
The 2025 Nissan Murano is the superior choice for cargo hauling, offering 32.9 cu ft behind the rear seats. The 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid's 16 cu ft capacity is less than half that amount.
Are there differences in the required fuel type for these two crossovers?
Both the 2025 Nissan Murano and the 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid specify that they run on regular unleaded fuel, meaning premium fuel is not required for either engine.
How significant is the difference in overall vehicle length?
The Highlander Hybrid measures 194.9 inches long, making it 2.0 inches longer than the Murano's 192.9 inches; this slight difference in overall length is offset by the Murano’s superior interior volume.
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