2013 Nissan Murano

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Rating7.9

Ranked #4 in 

Midsize SUV
Write Review
$28,440 - $39,480
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on September 26, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

High-quality cabin materials and build quality

Limited rearward visibility

New safety features include lane-departure warning, blind-spot detection, and rear cross-path detection

Intuitive controls

Subpar cargo space as compared to some rivals

Pliant handling and ride quality

Standard reclining rear seat

Specs & Features

$30,230

price

260 hp @ 6000 rpm

horsepower

240 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

torque

Continuously Variable-Speed Automatic

transmission

3.5L 6cyl AWD CVT

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The Nissan Murano when it was first launched a decade ago received a lot of flak over the rounded design language. Now with the market trends have changed, the 2013 Murano is no longer the odd one out and continues to be one of the most popular midsize crossovers in the market. It offers a high-quality feature-loaded cabin which is complemented by a strong powertrain and well-composed ride quality. 

Buying Advice

The prices of the higher trims rise quite a bit and although the base S trim has plenty of features packed in, we recommend opting for the SV trim with the AWD drivetrain. It adds a lot of creature comforts necessary for a modern car and the AWD adds practicality while also keeping the prices in check. 

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The Nissan Murano offers a complete package for many families and hence the 2013 model year sees no change whatsoever barring the inclusion of the modern-day safety driver aids. This means that the 2013 Murano also carries forward its drawbacks which include the limited rearward visibility and the average cargo space. With the prices beginning at an MSRP of $29,285, the Murano is priced very competitively against the likes of the Ford Edge, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the Toyota Highlander

Features
8.0/10

Nissan offers the Murano in four different trims with only a single engine and transmission combination, a choice to choose between FWD or an AWD drivetrain. That being said, the Murano is offered with plenty of features even with the lower trims while the higher trims offer plenty of premium features and creature comforts to make it feel worth the premium asking price of the vehicle. 

Trims

S

SV

SL

LE

MSRP (FWD)

$29,285

$32,375

$36,235

$41,075

MSRP (AWD)

$31,075

$33,975

$37,835

$42,675

Key Features

Emergency Braking Assist

Front Fog/Driving Lights

Speed-Proportional Power Steering

Xenon High-Intensity Discharge Headlamps

 

6-speaker audio system

3 Months Of Paid Satellite Radio Service

11-speaker Bose audio system with 2 Subwoofers

Heated Steering Wheel

 

Alloy And Leather Interior Trim

Rear View Camera

Multi-Level Heating Front Seats

Leather, Wood, And Chrome Interior Trim

 

Dual Zone Front Climate Control

Leather And Alloy Steering Wheel

Electrochromatic Inside Rearview Mirror

Multi-Level Heating Rear Seats

 

Cloth Upholstery

8-Way Power Driver Seat

Leather Upholstery

20-inch Alloy Wheels

 

Heated Power Mirrors

Universal Remote Transmitter

   
 

18-inch Alloy Wheels

     

We Recommend

The prices of the higher trims rise quite a bit and although the base S trim has plenty of features packed in, we recommend opting for the SV trim with the AWD drivetrain. It adds a lot of creature comforts necessary for a modern car and the AWD adds practicality while also keeping the prices in check. 

Engine and Performance
7.0/10

With no powertrain options available, the 2013 Nissan Murano is powered by a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 under its hood, which is rated at 260 hp and 240 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with a CVT automatic transmission that powers the front wheels while there is also an optional AWD drivetrain available which is every bit worth the minor additional cost. The CVT performs very similarly to a conventional automatic and has very little elastic band feel to it. 

The performance of the 2013 Murano is pretty average for its class as it manages a 0-60 mph sprint in about 8 seconds while the quarter-mile drag run takes over 16 seconds. The maximum towing capacity is limited to 3,500 lbs, which although isn’t exceptional is pretty average for the segment. The suspension and steering setup is well-tuned offering an agile and composed driving experience. 

Model

Nissan Murano S

Ford Edge SE

Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo

Toyota Highlander Base

MSRP

$29,285

$28,595

$30,390

$31,255

Engine

3.5L, Naturally Aspirated V6

3.5L, Naturally Aspirated V6

3.6L, Naturally Aspirated V6

3.5L, Naturally Aspirated V6

Drivetrain

FWD

FWD

RWD

FWD

Transmission

CVT

6-speed automatic

5-speed automatic

5-speed automatic

Power

260 hp @ 6,000 rpm

285 hp @ 6,500 rpm

290 hp @ 6,400 rpm

270 hp @ 6,200 rpm

Torque

240 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm

253 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm

260 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm

248 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm

0-60 mph (sec)

8.0

6.8

7.7

7.6

Quarter Mile (sec)

16.2

15.4

15.8

15.6

Top Speed (mph)

136

136

131

122

Towing Capacity

3,500

2,000

5,000

2,000

In terms of performance, the Murano is overshadowed by all of its competitors in some of the other aspects. The Ford Edge is not only more affordable but is also lightning quick in terms of acceleration, while the Jeep Grand Cherokee is only marginally pricier and yet offers impressive towing and off-road capabilities. The Toyota Highlander is the most expensive SUV here, but it is only about half a second quicker than the Murano and also lacks in terms of towing prowess. 

Fuel Economy
6.0/10

The sedate performance from the V6 engine of the Murano might imply higher frugality for many, but that too is not the reality here. The EPA has rated the 2013 Nissan Murano for about 20 mpg of combined fuel economy for both the FWD and AWD drivetrains. The large 21.7-gallon fuel tank comes in as a savior, offering over 400 miles of combined city and highway driving range on a single tank of gas. 

Model

Nissan Murano

Ford Edge

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Toyota Highlander

MPG (City)

18

19

17

18

MPG (Highway)

24

27

23

24

MPG (Combined)

20

22

19

20

Fuel Tank Capacity (gal)

21.7

18.3

24.6

19.2

Range (City / Highway / Combined) (miles)

391 / 521 / 434

348 / 494 / 403

418 / 566 / 467

346 / 461 / 384

The Ford Edge has the lowest fuel consumption in this comparison but it also employs a much smaller gas tank which limits its driving range by a lot. The Grand Cherokee has the largest gas tank to offer to compensate for the low fuel efficiency, which it does well as it offers the longest driving range here. The Toyota Highlander has identical fuel economy ratings as that of the Murano but the smaller fuel tank capacity translates to frequent gas station visits.

Interior
8.0/10

The cabin of the 2013 Nissan Murano is an attractive and comfortable place to be in. The appealing design is further enhanced by the premium materials quality and the fact that Nissan did not try to be trendy with over-the-top designs is worth appreciating. The controls are very well placed and are very intuitive to use as well while Nissan has covered most of the touchpoints with leather for that added premium appeal.

There is plenty of room up front for the passengers and even the rear passengers can be very comfortable in spite of the limited legroom, thanks to the standard reclining rear seats. Ambient cabin lighting and heated rear seats with rear AC vents add to the luxurious feel of the car. The 31.6 cu-ft of luggage space at the back should suffice most needs of its buyers and folding down the rear seat can open up a maximum of 64 cu-ft of cargo space. 

Model

Nissan Murano

Ford Edge

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Toyota Highlander

Seating Capacity

5

5

5

7

Front Row (Head / Shoulder / Leg) (in)

40.1 / 59.6 / 43.6

40.0 / 58.9 / 40.7

39.9 / 58.7 / 40.3

40.6 / 59.7 / 43.2

Second Row (Head / Shoulder / Leg) (in)

39.4 / 58.7 / 36.3

39.3 / 58.7 / 39.6

39.2 / 58.0 / 38.6

40.1 / 59.5 / 38.3

Third Row (Head / Shoulder / Leg) (in)

N/A

N/A

N/A

36.3 / 55.0 / 29.9

Cargo Capacity (cu-ft)

31.6

32.2

35.1

10.3

Only the Toyota Highlander offers a third row of seats here, but the space at the back end is very cramped and is best suited only for younger kids. That limits the cargo space to just 10.3 cu-ft behind the third row, but folding them down opens up an impressive 42.3 cu-ft of space. Ford Edge offers the most spacious passenger quarters while the Jeep has a slightly better luggage space. 

  • 8-way power driver seat with power lumbar support and memory function
  • 4-way power passenger seat
  • Heated front bucket seats with adjustable active head restraints
  • 60/40 fold-flat reclining heated rear bench seat with pwr return feature
  • Leather seat trim & door inserts with Leather shift knob
  • Power tilt/telescopic steering column with memory
  • Heated leather-wrapped steering wheel with cruise & audio controls
  • Dual-zone automatic temperature control with rear HVAC vents
  • Ambient interior lighting

How intuitive is the 2013 Nissan Murano SUV’s infotainment unit?

Nissan offers the 7-inch infotainment system as standard across its trims and in fact packs in most of its features as standard as well. The interface of the system is on par with the segment and offers features like Bluetooth and iPod connectivity alongside satellite radio. The Bose audio system with dual subwoofers adds oomph to the SUV but isn’t as impressive as we would expect a Bose audio system to be. 

  • A 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
  • Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming
  • SiriusXM satellite radio
  • 9-speaker Bose audio system with dual subwoofers
  • iPod connectivity
  • AMFM/CD Player

Exterior
9.0/10

The rounded and curvaceous exterior design has now become a trend for many crossovers and the Murano has stayed true to its original design even today after around a decade. The bulging front bumper with angular grille and headlights isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing design but doesn’t look weird as well. The raked front windshield, stylish wheels, and roof rails all add to the sporty appeal of the Murano, while the large glass window area makes the interior feel airy. 

Model

Nissan Murano

Ford Edge

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Toyota Highlander

Curb Weight (lbs)

3,889

4,056

4,533

4,045

Length (in)

189.9

184.2

189.8

188.4

Width (in)

74.1

76.0

76.5

75.2

Height (in)

67.0

67.0

69.3

68.1

Ground Clearance (in)

7.4

7.9

8.6

8.1

Wheelbase (in)

111.2

111.2

114.8

109.8

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is the largest SUV here and hence also weighs the most. The Ford Edge on the other hand is the shortest and yet weighs more than the Murano. Toyota has done well to fit in the third row of seats with the dimensions being similar to the Murano. Murano rides closest to the ground while the Grand Cherokee has the highest ground clearance to offer. 

  • Auto on/off HID xenon headlights
  • LED rear lights
  • Power heated outside mirrors with driver-side memory
  • Power liftgate
  • Dual panel power moonroof
  • Roof rails with silver accents
  • 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels

Safety
7.0/10

The 4-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and the decent report in the crash tests conducted by the IIHS for the 2013 model year showcases the high levels of safety standards offered by the Nissan Murano. Nissan is also offering modern driver assistance features like lane departure warning and blind-spot detection with the Nissan Murano alongside various other safety functions, a highlight of which is listed below. 

  • Vehicle dynamic control system (VDC)
  • Front & rear crumple zones
  • Nissan advanced airbag system (AABS)
  • Active head restraints
  • Lane-departure warning
  • Blind-spot detection and rear cross-path detection
  • Rear back up camera with a 7-inch color monitor
  • Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)

Final Verdict

The Nissan Murano is an exciting prospect for a family car buyer as it not stays within the budget for most of them but also offers plenty of creature comforts, an attractive cabin, and a handful of modern-day safety features. The performance is decent and ride quality is also supple, perfect for city driving and highway cruising. If the low fuel efficiency and the marginally smaller trunk is a sacrifice that you are willing to make, the 2013 Murano could serve you and your family well. 

Trims

    S
    $28,440 onwards
    • 18-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • 1St row LCD monitor
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • AM/FM stereo
    • Cloth Seat trim
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Dual zone automatic front air conditioning
    • Remote keyless entry
    • Seek-Scan Radio
    SV
    $31,530 onwards
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Parking assist
    • Seek-Scan Radio
    • Siriusxm AM/FM/Satellite
    SL
    $35,390 onwards
    • Front passengers heated-cushion
    • Heated mirrors
    • Leather Seat trim
    • Rain sensing windsheild wiper
    • Sliding & tilting glass Sunroof
    LE
    $37,880 onwards
    • 20-inch painted aluminum Wheels

Compare to similar cars

Price

$28,440- $39,480

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.89

Horsepower

260 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque

240 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$34,320- $39,420

Gasoline

7.85

273 hp @ 6200 rpm

251 lb.-ft. @ 5000 rpm

5

Read Review

$43,280- $54,805

Gasoline

7.81

300 hp @ 6300 rpm

270 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

7

Read Review

$38,445- $47,625

Gasoline

8.29

288 hp @ 6300 rpm

270 lb.-ft. @ 3400 rpm

7

Read Review

$30,510- $42,575

Gasoline

8.34

281 hp @ 6300 rpm

266 lb.-ft. @ 3400 rpm

8

Read Review

$19,195- $30,795

Gasoline

7.8

173 hp @ 6000 rpm

166 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

$29,795- $42,345

Gasoline

7.7

290 hp @ 6400 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

7

Read Review

$29,100- $40,780

Gasoline

7.92

290 hp @ 6500 rpm

255 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

7

Read Review

$27,700- $39,150

Gasoline

7.73

285 hp @ 6500 rpm

253 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

$34,050- $47,945

Gasoline

8.06

288 hp @ 6300 rpm

270 lb.-ft. @ 3400 rpm

8

Read Review

2013 Nissan Murano vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    7.8 sec16.1 sec-
    6.7 sec13.2 sec122 mph
    6.8 sec15.4 sec122 mph
    6.9 sec--
    7 sec15.4 sec113 mph
    7.2 sec15.6 sec-

    2013 Nissan Murano vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      18 mpg24 mpg20 mpg21.7 gal.390.6/520.8 mi.
      26 mpg35 mpg29 mpg14.8 gal.384.8/518 mi.
      24 mpg31 mpg26 mpg15.9 gal.381.6/492.9 mi.
      22 mpg31 mpg25 mpg18.5 gal.407/573.5 mi.
      21 mpg30 mpg24 mpg18 gal.378/540 mi.
      21 mpg29 mpg24 mpg17.4 gal.365.4/504.6 mi.

      2013 Nissan Murano vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        189.9 in.74.1 in.67 in.7.4 in.111.2 in.
        203.7 in.78.5 in.69.9 in.7.2 in.118.9 in.
        201.9 in.79 in.71.7 in.7.6 in.118.9 in.
        200.8 in.78.9 in.70.4 in.7.6 in.118.9 in.
        200.6 in.76.2 in.68 in.8 in.113.2 in.
        199.8 in.75.8 in.71.6 in.8.1 in.119.8 in.

        2013 Nissan Murano vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          31.6 cu.ft.108.6 cu.ft.64 cu.ft.
          10.3 cu.ft.145.7 cu.ft.95.4 cu.ft.
          24.4 cu.ft.150.8 cu.ft.116.3 cu.ft.
          47.2 cu.ft.97.3 cu.ft.89.7 cu.ft.
          21 cu.ft.151.7 cu.ft.80.7 cu.ft.
          32.2 cu.ft.108.4 cu.ft.68.9 cu.ft.

          2013 Nissan Murano vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            90.4 cu.ft.31.6 cu.ft.64 cu.ft.-
            71.3 cu.ft.34.3 cu.ft.71.3 cu.ft.-
            59.7 cu.ft.25.7 cu.ft.51.3 cu.ft.-
            66.8 cu.ft.27.9 cu.ft.66.8 cu.ft.-
            94.7 cu.ft.24.4 cu.ft.116.3 cu.ft.-
            15.9 cu.ft.17.2 cu.ft.84.5 cu.ft.-

            2013 Nissan Murano vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              3500 lbs.1165 lbs.3889 lbs.
              7716 lbs.1287 lbs.4711 lbs.
              6200 lbs.1330 lbs.4756 lbs.
              5200 lbs.1756 lbs.4656 lbs.
              5200 lbs.1764 lbs.4646 lbs.
              5000 lbs.1150 lbs.4594 lbs.

              2013 Nissan Murano SUV Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              1

              Recalls

              0

              Investigations

              71

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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              2013 Nissan Murano User Reviews

              2.0

              [2 Reviews]

              1

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              2

              [50.0%] [1 Reviews]

              3

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              4

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              5

              [0.0%] [0 Reviews]

              JA

              Jeffrey Andrews

              2013 Nissan Murano

              LE 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl CVT)

              4

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: May 10, 2024

              I love my car

              Pros - Rides good, Take me where I need to go

              Cons - Check engine light on, Nothing I like it

              It's performs good it's very safe it takes me where I need to go I love it very nice nice color big and comfy alot of room it fits all my stuff good car it's used but it works good very nice car I love it

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review

              lT

              Larhonda Taylor

              2014 Nissan Murano

              S 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl CVT)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: July 22, 2024

              My Nissan murano

              Pros - ["Comfortable", "Easy to get around"]

              Cons - ["Tires replacement every 2 months", "I can't get a recall done"]

              I was so excited when I got my Nissan murano in 2015 and we been riding every since. Since then I have add things to her. I'm trying to make her costume to me . I have gotten new tires like 5 times i have had her plus rims. So it's gonna be red and black themed.. She also have gotten a a system in her that I might upgrade later. I like how I really haven't had to get much maintenance om her altho...

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review