Should I be worried about the CVT in the Murano?

The same concerns that apply to the Altima's CVT apply here. The Xtronic CVT in the Murano has shown a higher failure rate than Toyota's comparable powertrain in the 80,000-120,000 mile range. Nissan extended CVT warranties on some affected model years following owner complaints. Before buying a Murano above 80,000 miles, verify whether any extended CVT warranty applies to that VIN, confirm CVT fluid service history, and test for hesitation, shudder, or delayed engagement — these are early warning signs.

Is AWD worth paying for on the Murano?

The Murano AWD system adds meaningful traction in mixed-weather conditions and light snow. However, the AWD version requires more attention to tire matching and adds a $500-800 premium in the used market. For buyers in flat, temperate climates, FWD Murano is entirely adequate and eliminates the AWD coupling as a potential repair item. For northern markets or buyers who drive on occasional unplowed roads, AWD is worth it.

What is the comfortable mileage range for buying used?

Under 80,000 miles is the comfortable range before CVT concerns become statistically relevant. An example with 60,000-80,000 miles, CVT fluid change history, and no transmission behavior complaints is a reasonable purchase. Between 80,000-120,000 miles, the CVT warranty status check is non-negotiable. A Murano at 100,000 miles with an out-of-warranty, unserviced CVT and no records should be priced $3,500-5,000 below market to account for potential transmission replacement.

Nissan Murano: What to Look For Before You Buy

The Nissan Murano's design has always been polarizing — it sells on visual presence in a segment where most competitors look carefully generic. The third-generation (2015+) doubled down on that identity with its floating roof and continuous hood-to-windshield glass line. The Murano is a comfort-focused, two-row family crossover that trades capability for ride quality and visual drama. The CVT in the third-generation Murano is the same Xtronic unit that has generated reliability concerns in the Altima, and it is the most important factor in evaluating any used Murano above 80,000 miles.

What to Look For in Photos

Paint and Body

The Murano's floating roof design means the D-pillar chrome accent trim is a highly visible feature in any three-quarter rear photo. On 2015-2018 examples, this trim piece develops bubbling behind the chrome plating in climates with road salt, starting at the lower edges. This is cosmetic but visible and indicates the car has seen winter road use. The front bumper lower fascia on Platinum trims includes a chrome-surround air intake that chips and loses chrome plating around the edges by 60,000-70,000 miles. Look at the hood leading edge for paint strike damage — the Murano's raised hood profile catches road debris more than the lower profile of competitors.

Tires

The Murano S runs 235/65R18. The SV, SL, and Platinum trims use 235/55R20. The 20-inch fitment on most desirable trims costs $220-270 per tire on premium rubber. AWD Muranos use Nissan's All-Mode AWD system that requires matched tires across all four positions. The Murano's FWD torque bias under most driving conditions means front tires wear faster than rear — any 20-inch AWD Murano with more than 40,000 miles will likely need at least front tires, and replacing only fronts on an AWD system creates the mismatch problem.

Interior

The Murano's interior is a genuine strength. The third-generation's upholstered dashboard, available quilted leather, and zero-gravity seat design are legitimately differentiated from the class average. The zero-gravity seats develop a slight flattening of the lower cushion support by 70,000 miles but remain comfortable. More significantly: the panoramic moonroof on SL and Platinum trims has a known drain channel clogging issue that causes water to enter the headliner. Look for any brownish staining on the headliner near the A-pillar or front moonroof edge in interior photos — this is a recurring repair that costs $800-1,500 to remediate properly.

What Dr. Vin Checks on a Murano

Dr.Vin examines the Murano's D-pillar chrome trim for bubbling that indicates salt exposure, checks the panoramic roof headliner for water staining, and evaluates front bumper chrome element condition on Platinum trim examples. Interior wear is assessed against the model's above-average material quality baseline.

How It Compares

The Nissan Pathfinder is the functional overlap competitor in Nissan's own lineup: the Pathfinder adds a third row and more SUV practicality, while the Murano focuses on interior refinement and a more car-like driving character. For buyers who don't need three rows, the Murano is the better vehicle. The Toyota Highlander is the rational choice for buyers concerned about long-term reliability — it has a stronger drivetrain track record above 100,000 miles, particularly the 3.5L V6 without a CVT. The Highlander's interior is more conventional but avoids the Murano's CVT concerns.