2020 Nissan Murano vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Honda CR-V, a fifth-generation model that has been available since the 2017 model year, boasted a design that was both familiar and enjoyable. Honda's designers had always favored a softer approach, and this was evident in the CR-V’s curvy, car-like lines. The front and rear fascias bore a strong resemblance to Honda's sedans, and the overall look leaned more towards a station wagon than an SUV. This made the CR-V a quintessential example of modern family transportation on the exterior.

The CR-V's interior, however, was a different story. It featured a mix of textures and materials, with some upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery in higher trims, which clashed with lower-quality plastics found elsewhere. This juxtaposition could remind drivers that even the most expensive CR-V was an upscale version of a commodity car, not a truly premium product.

The CR-V was available in four trim levels—LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring—starting at $26,270 for the FWD LX, with AWD as a $1,500 option. The base model featured 17-inch alloy wheels, while the EX trims had 18-inch alloys, and the Touring came with 19-inch options. Fabric seating was standard on lower trims, whereas leather upholstery was available in the top two. A retractable moonroof was included in all but the LX trim. Roof rails were fitted only on the Touring model, aligning with the CR-V's car-like demeanor.

The 2020 Nissan Murano retained the design language from the previous generation of Nissan products. Its exterior received an update for the 2019 model year with a refreshed grille, redesigned LED headlights and taillights, added fog lights, new wheel designs, and additional paint colors. These updates made the Murano attractive, albeit not particularly modern, especially with the new designs of the Nissan Pathfinder and Armada set to debut.

Nissan offered the Murano in S, SV, SL, and Platinum grades. Midrange and higher trims received more standard features, such as heated outside mirrors, adaptive cruise control, and rear sonar on the SV, and traffic-sign recognition technology on the SL. The Platinum trim added a new leather-wrapped steering wheel and an additional exterior paint option called Super Black.

The Murano rode on 18-inch machined aluminum-alloy wheels standard, with 20-inch wheels for the SL and Platinum trims. The interior was considered a mix of luxe materials but dated housings, particularly notable in the center stack and console, reflecting its 2014 origins. However, the interior still had a premium feel, with logically placed switches, knobs, and buttons for ease of use.

The 2020 Honda CR-V simplified its lineup by eliminating the base engine from the previous year. All trims now featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produced 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This powertrain provided a satisfying balance of performance and fuel efficiency. Despite the typical sluggishness associated with CVTs, Honda’s implementation minimized droning at high revs and ensured smooth acceleration, particularly in Sport mode.

The CR-V’s road manners were excellent, resembling a small sedan with well-weighted steering and nimble handling. The chassis was firm yet comfortable, with minimal body roll, and the vehicle never felt cumbersome thanks to its relatively low curb weight of 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX. The CR-V’s lightweight contributed to impressive fuel economy ratings of 30 mpg combined for FWD models and 29 mpg combined for AWD models, positioning it at the top of its class.

For fuel-conscious buyers, Honda introduced a hybrid version of the CR-V for 2020, promising even higher fuel efficiency and competing with hybrid models like the Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape.

The 2020 Nissan Murano featured a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. While not the fastest off the line, the Murano had plenty of power for highway overtaking. Its CVT operated quietly, contributing to a serene cabin experience, often compared to “library level” sound. The Murano’s EPA ratings were 20 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, slightly below the CR-V but competitive for non-hybrid midsize SUVs.

The Murano came with FWD as standard and offered AWD as an option. Though the AWD system enhanced road grip, the Murano exhibited noticeable body lean during cornering. Its four-wheel independent suspension softened bumps and vibrations, providing comfort over uneven terrain. The Murano prioritized cruising comfort over agility, similar to the Lincoln Nautilus, with steering that effortlessly directed the vehicle without excessive feedback.

Unlike the CR-V, the Murano had a 1,500-pound towing capacity, emphasizing its capability for light towing needs.

Honda maintained its reputation for masterful packaging with the 2020 CR-V. The cabin was spacious, offering ample head- and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The excellent seating position and low cowl contributed to superb front visibility. Although shorter by three inches compared to the Volkswagen Tiguan, the CR-V matched its cargo volume, offering 75.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The CR-V's interior featured clever storage solutions, such as a deep well center console with a sliding cover and a two-position load floor in the rear. This load floor allowed for either maximizing cargo space or creating a flat surface with the seats folded. Even the door pockets were notably spacious, enhancing daily usability.

The 2020 Nissan Murano’s standout feature was its Zero Gravity seats, praised for their comfort over long distances. The Murano offered more headroom than the Lexus RX but less front legroom. It excelled in shoulder room, providing ample space for rear passengers. Compared to the 2021 Rogue, the Murano had slightly more passenger volume due to better hip and shoulder room.

Designed with Empty Nesters in mind, the Murano prioritized style and comfort over cargo space. It offered 32.1 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats upright and up to 67.0 cubic feet with them folded, which was less than the Rogue's 74.1 cubic feet. However, the Murano’s low cargo floor and easy-to-fold rear seats made it practical for everyday use. Higher trims featured a power liftgate for added convenience.

The Murano came standard with dual-zone automatic climate control and keyless entry. Optional features included leather-appointed seating, a heated steering wheel, steering-wheel position memory, and remote engine start with climate control. A dual-pane panoramic moonroof added a touch of luxury, especially in the Platinum trim.

In its fourth year, the CR-V showed its age in infotainment. The base LX trim featured a 5-inch screen, considered undersized and lacking in features, limited to Bluetooth connectivity and Pandora. Higher trims had a 7-inch touchscreen, still smaller compared to the 8-inch screen in the Tiguan. The CR-V’s system lacked hard buttons, relying on touch inputs, which made it cumbersome to use. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available only on models with the 7-inch screen, offering better navigation than Honda’s own system, which was exclusive to the Touring trim.

Honda did equip the CR-V with ample USB ports in EX trims and above, including two in the front and two high-powered ports in the backseat. The Touring trim featured a wireless phone charger, accommodating the charging needs of all occupants.

The 2020 Nissan Murano, though behind its competitors in tech, offered an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard. The system supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and voice recognition, with options to upgrade to an 11-speaker Bose audio system, HD Radio, and navigation. The navigation system included point of interest search and traffic updates.

The Murano Platinum came with NissanConnect Services, providing functionalities similar to GM’s OnStar, including emergency call and remote functionalities like start/stop and lock/unlock. Alexa integration was available, enhancing connectivity.

The 2020 Honda CR-V included the Honda Sensing suite as standard, encompassing forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, road-departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. Even the base LX trim benefited from these features. Automatic high beams were standard, while blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert were available on EX trims and above.

The CR-V earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with the only caveat being the halogen headlights on trims below Touring, which scored lower in testing. A safety recall for a possible rear subframe failure affected a limited number of 2020 and 2019 models.

For 2020, the Nissan Murano added Safety Shield 360 as standard on SV, SL, and Platinum trims. This suite included forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. A rearview camera was also standard.

The Murano, however, lacked advanced driver-assist technologies found in the Nissan Rogue. The IIHS awarded the Murano “good” ratings in most tests, except for the headlights category and a “superior” rating in front crash prevention. The NHTSA granted the Murano five stars in most categories, with a four-star rating in rollover testing.