2020 Nissan Murano vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was a stylish addition to the Range Rover lineup, positioned between the compact Evoque and the larger Range Rover. Its design was neither too sleek nor too boxy, offering a balanced aesthetic. The Velar featured a low roof and steeply-raked windshield, giving it a unique profile compared to the traditional upright Range Rover. The front end was rounded, while the rear tapered slightly, maintaining its SUV identity with a broad front end that appeared intimidating in rearview mirrors. Despite its performance car-like short overhangs, the Velar boasted impressive off-road capabilities with up to 9.8 inches of ground clearance when equipped with air suspension. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier styling elements, including larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips, along with standard 21-inch wheels.

Inside, the Velar's interior was a departure from its 1969 namesake, featuring high-quality leather upholstery and metal trim. The design was more suited to urban environments, with a tall, sloping instrument panel and door panels creating a cockpit-like feel. Unlike most SUVs, the Velar's seating position made occupants feel like they were sitting in the vehicle rather than on top of it. The interior was luxurious, but the design choices, such as the tall center console, contributed to a somewhat cramped feeling.

The 2020 Nissan Murano, while not the most modern in terms of exterior design, remained attractive with its refreshed grille, LED headlights, and new wheel designs. It was available in S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with midrange and higher trims receiving more standard features. The Murano SV included heated mirrors and adaptive cruise control, while the SL added traffic-sign recognition. The top-tier Platinum featured a new leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Murano's exterior design was appealing, but it lacked the contemporary styling of newer Nissan models.

Inside, the Murano offered premium appointments, especially in the Platinum grade. The interior featured a mix of luxurious materials, though some elements, like the center stack and console, felt dated. Despite this, the Murano maintained an upscale feel compared to the Nissan Rogue. The controls were intuitive and easy to reach, contributing to a comfortable driving experience. The Murano's interior was designed with comfort in mind, making it a suitable choice for long journeys.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar saw a significant performance boost with the introduction of the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, which featured a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. Land Rover claimed a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 177 mph for this edition. Despite its power, the Velar was not the quickest in its class, with competitors like the BMW X3 M Competition and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S offering faster acceleration. The Dynamic Edition also included performance enhancements such as bigger brakes, retuned four-wheel drive, and an active exhaust system.

The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined driving experience, with the Dynamic Edition adding speed and impressive body control. However, the chassis felt less sharp than other performance SUVs, and the Velar's size made it less agile on tight roads. The rest of the Velar's powertrain lineup remained unchanged, with a base 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 247 hp, and a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 available with either 340 hp or 380 hp. The Velar also featured Land Rover's Terrain Response system for off-road capabilities, although it lacked a low range and had road-focused wheel-and-tire combinations.

The 2020 Nissan Murano was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. While not the quickest off the line, the Murano performed well on the highway, easily overtaking other vehicles. The powertrain was complemented by a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that operated quietly, contributing to a serene cabin environment. The Murano achieved an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined, making it competitive in its class.

The Murano came standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available. While the AWD system provided good road grip, the Murano exhibited noticeable body lean during cornering. Its four-wheel independent suspension helped absorb bumps and vibrations, enhancing ride comfort. The Murano was not designed for sporty driving but excelled as a comfortable cruiser, similar to the Lincoln Nautilus. It had a towing capacity of 1,500 pounds, suitable for light-duty towing needs.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar occupied a unique position in terms of size, being larger than small luxury SUVs like the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, but smaller than midsize counterparts like the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class. Despite its size, the Velar did not offer more interior space than its smaller competitors. The GLC had more front and rear legroom, while the X3 provided more headroom. Cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 48.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Velar's avant-garde styling, including a chopped roof, limited headroom and side glass, creating a somewhat claustrophobic interior. Visibility was also a challenge due to the tall hood and limited camera angles.

The Velar's towing capacity was respectable, with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition and V6 models rated at 5,511 pounds, while the base four-cylinder model could tow 5,291 pounds. A trailer-sway assist feature was standard, enhancing towing stability.

The 2020 Nissan Murano excelled in passenger comfort, thanks to its Zero Gravity seats, which were considered some of the best in the industry. These seats were standard in the front row and for rear outboard passengers. The Murano offered more headroom than the Lexus RX but had less front legroom. It provided ample shoulder room, especially in the second row, and had 3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Nissan Rogue.

The Murano's cargo space was designed with style in mind, offering up to 32.1 cubic feet with the second row upright and 67.0 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. While it had less overall cargo space than the class average, the Murano's low cargo floor and easy-to-fold rear seats made it practical for daily use. A power liftgate was standard on the top two trim levels.

The Murano's interior featured dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, and available features like leather-appointed seating, a heated steering wheel, and remote engine start. A dual-pane panoramic moonroof was standard on the Platinum model and available on the SL. The Murano offered easy ingress and egress, but the A-pillar affected forward visibility. The center console lacked a dedicated space for smartphones, leaving charging cords exposed.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, which included dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The upper screen handled smartphone, navigation, and media functions, while the lower screen managed vehicle settings and climate control. The system received praise for its high-quality graphics and menu layout but was criticized for slow response times. The Velar also included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls.

The 2020 Nissan Murano, while not the most advanced in terms of technology, offered a standard 8-inch infotainment system touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. It also included four USB ports, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a six-speaker audio system. The Murano's touchscreen was user-friendly, with an attractive and colorful layout. Buyers could upgrade to an 11-speaker Bose audio system, HD Radio, and navigation with traffic functionality.

Murano Platinum buyers had access to NissanConnect Services, which included features like automatic collision notification, emergency call, and remote functionalities. An Amazon Alexa skill was available for free, enhancing the Murano's connectivity options.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar did not have safety ratings from the IIHS or NHTSA, as low-volume luxury vehicles were not a priority for crash testing. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and front and rear parking aids. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available as part of an option package. Land Rover's driver-assist tech offerings were less sophisticated than competitors, with only lane-keep assist available.

The 2020 Nissan Murano came with Nissan's Safety Shield 360 as standard on SV, SL, and Platinum trims. This suite included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. The Murano received "good" ratings from the IIHS, except for the headlight category, and a "superior" mark for front crash prevention. The NHTSA awarded the Murano five-star ratings, except for a four-star rating in the rollover category.