2020 Nissan Murano vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2020 Nissan Murano showcased the design language of the previous generation of Nissan vehicles. Despite a 2019 refresh that included a new grille, redesigned LED headlights and taillights, added fog lights, new wheel designs, and additional paint color choices, the Murano's exterior remained attractive but not particularly modern. This became more evident as newer models like the redesigned Nissan Pathfinder and Armada debuted, leaving the Murano looking somewhat dated. The Murano was available in S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with midrange and higher trims receiving more standard features. The Murano SV added heated outside mirrors, adaptive cruise control, and rear sonar, while the SL included traffic-sign recognition technology. The top-tier Platinum trim featured a new leather-wrapped steering wheel and a new exterior paint option, Super Black. The Murano rode on standard 18-inch machined aluminum-alloy wheels, with the SL and Platinum trims featuring 20-inch wheels in different finishes.

The interior of the Murano, especially in the Platinum grade, offered premium appointments but felt dated in areas like the center stack, console, and steering wheel, which were reminiscent of the 2014 model year. Despite this, the Murano still felt upscale compared to the most luxurious version of the 2021 Nissan Rogue. The interior controls were intuitive, with switches, knobs, and buttons located in logical and easy-to-reach places.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 retained the same basic body shell from a decade ago, with updates like the spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights added over the years. The 2021 model didn't receive any styling changes, but silver 18-inch wheels became standard on the Premium trim level. The GX's styling was coherent despite not being originally designed around the spindle grille, and its tough, aggressive look appealed to SUV shoppers. However, the interior didn't meet modern luxury SUV standards. The wood trim in the Premium test car felt like molded plastic, and there was an abundance of actual plastic. Standard leather upholstery was included, with semi-aniline leather available on the Luxury trim level.

The 2020 Nissan Murano featured a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 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 included a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that operated quietly, contributing to a "library level" sound in the cabin. The Murano achieved an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined. It came standard with front-wheel drive (FWD), with all-wheel drive (AWD) available. The AWD system provided good road grip but resulted in noticeable body lean. The Murano's four-wheel independent suspension helped absorb bumps and vibrations, enhancing ride comfort. However, the Murano didn't offer a connected driving experience like premium German SUVs, instead focusing on a comfortable cruising experience. The Murano had a towing capacity of 1,500 pounds.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 was powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX 460's V8 engine provided strong acceleration from a stop, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. However, the SUV's 5,130-pound weight affected its performance at higher speeds, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. Stopping the GX also required advanced planning due to its weight. The GX exhibited low grip and body roll in corners, and its ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle. The Premium trim lacked the adaptive suspension found in the Luxury trim, making it difficult to fully civilize the ride. The GX excelled in off-road capability, with a Torsen center differential, standard 4WD system with low range, and several driver aids like hill-descent control and hill-start assist. The optional Off-Road Package added features like a transmission cooler, fuel-tank protector, multi-view camera system, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select. The GX had 8.1 inches of ground clearance and respectable approach, departure, and break-over angles. It had a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

The 2020 Nissan Murano's Zero Gravity seats were a standout feature, providing exceptional comfort for long journeys. 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 excelled in shoulder room, providing over an inch more than the RX in the second row. The Murano had 3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 2021 Rogue, thanks to its superior hip and shoulder room. Designed with Empty Nesters in mind, the Murano prioritized plush accommodations over cargo space. It offered up to 32.1 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row upright and up to 67.0 cubic feet with the second row folded flat. 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 trims. The Murano also featured dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, leather-appointed seating, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-pane panoramic moonroof on higher trims. However, the center console lacked a good space for smartphone storage, leaving charging cords hanging out.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior ergonomics reflected its age, with an upright dashboard and high center console limiting legroom. The steering wheel's odd angle and tall seating position made it feel like driving a bus. The Premium trim added a heated wood-trimmed steering wheel, but the heating elements didn't cover the entire wheel. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, though forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. The center-console storage bin, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders were small. Second-row occupants had climate controls, but the third row lacked USB ports. The GX came standard with three rows and seating for seven, with a power-folding third row available on higher trims. The third row was best suited for children, and accessing it was challenging. The GX had more first-row legroom on paper but felt cramped. The Discovery offered more second-row legroom and similar headroom. The GX had 64.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded, less than the Discovery's 73.0 cubic feet. With the third row up, cargo space was minimal.

The 2020 Nissan Murano lagged behind competitors in tech but made efforts to stay relevant. It featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, four USB ports, Bluetooth, satellite radio, a six-speaker audio system, and voice recognition. The touchscreen's layout was attractive and user-friendly. Rear passengers had two USB ports for charging. Upgrades included an 11-speaker Bose audio system, HD Radio, and navigation with point of interest search and traffic functionality. Murano Platinum buyers received NissanConnect Services, offering features like automatic collision notification, emergency call, stolen vehicle locator, remote start/stop, lock/unlock, and customizable alerts. An Amazon Alexa skill was available for free.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features due to its age. It included Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Two USB ports were standard for the first two rows, but the third row had none. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was available. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functions. Below the main screen was a seven-segment display for time and temperature, reminiscent of a digital clock. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a refreshing alternative to screen-centric interfaces in other luxury SUVs.

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 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 lacked advanced driver-assist features like Nissan's ProPilot Assist. IIHS crash test results rated the Murano "good" in most categories, with a "superior" mark for front crash prevention. NHTSA ratings were mostly five stars, with a four-star rating for rollover.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 hadn't been rated by NHTSA or IIHS. It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, the GX lacked some safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.