2020 Nissan Murano vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2020 Nissan Murano had a design that echoed the last generation of Nissan products. Despite updates in 2019, including a refreshed 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 apparent as newer models like the redesigned Nissan Pathfinder and Armada debuted, leaving the Murano looking somewhat dated. Nissan offered the Murano in S, SV, SL, and Platinum grades, with midrange and higher trims receiving more standard features. The Murano SV included heated outside mirrors, adaptive cruise control, and rear sonar, while the SL added traffic-sign recognition technology. The top-tier Platinum 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 getting 20-inch wheels in different finishes. The interior of the Murano, especially in the Platinum grade, featured premium materials but had dated elements, particularly in the center stack, console, and steering wheel. Despite this, the Murano still felt upscale compared to the 2021 Nissan Rogue, with well-placed and easy-to-reach controls.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander stood out in a crowd with its distinctive design. Its front end, while less dramatic than the 2021 Sienna minivan, made a statement with wide headlights, a long hood, and an assertive trapezoidal grille. The side profile featured a character line reminiscent of the Supra sports car, and the taillights had a Lexus-like appearance. The Highlander looked longer and lower than its predecessor without sacrificing size. For 2021, Toyota introduced the XSE trim level, which featured a more aggressive front end, 20-inch wheels with black accents, and a unique front fascia and lower spoiler. The Limited trim, just below the Platinum, looked upscale with chrome roof rails and accents, and the interior shone with near-flawless fit and finish. The tan leather seats and dark brown trim, along with wood details, added to the luxurious feel. The Highlander excelled in comfort and convenience, making it a strong contender for family car shoppers.

The 2020 Nissan Murano featured a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine that delivered 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, which were respectable numbers for its class. The Murano came standard with front-wheel drive (FWD) and offered all-wheel drive (AWD) as an option. The AWD version provided good road grip but exhibited noticeable body lean. The four-wheel independent suspension helped absorb bumps and vibrations, enhancing ride comfort. The Murano had a towing capacity of 1,500 pounds, positioning it as a comfortable cruiser rather than an agile performer.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander, with its 3.5-liter V6 engine, produced 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the Highlander offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options. The Highlander Hybrid was also available as a separate model. The powertrain provided adequate performance for daily driving, with enough power for highway merging and overtaking. Compared to competitors, the Highlander held its own, offering similar horsepower and torque levels to the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride, while the Honda Pilot and Chevy Traverse varied slightly. The Highlander’s suspension leaned towards comfort, resulting in some body roll through corners. The XSE trim added sportier suspension tuning, including higher-rated springs, retuned shock absorbers, power steering, and a rear stabilizer bar, enhancing driving excitement without compromising family-focused practicality.

The 2020 Nissan Murano’s standout feature was its Zero Gravity seats, 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. Compared to the 2021 Rogue, the Murano had more hip and shoulder room, contributing to its 3 cubic feet advantage in passenger volume. Designed with Empty Nesters in mind, the Murano prioritized plush accommodations over cargo space, offering up to 32.1 cubic feet with the second row upright and 67.0 cubic feet with the second row folded flat. Despite less overall cargo space, the Murano’s low cargo floor and easy-to-fold rear seats made it practical for daily use. Standard features included dual-zone automatic climate control and keyless entry, with available options like leather-appointed seating, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-pane panoramic moonroof. The Murano’s center console, however, lacked practical storage for smartphones, leaving charging cords exposed.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander excelled in keeping driver and passengers comfortable, with ample storage for small items. The front seats featured large shelves for cell phones, with a pass-through for charging cords. Higher trims included a wireless charging pad within the center console. Second-row passengers enjoyed plenty of legroom, with seats that moved forward and backward to balance space between rows. The third row could accommodate adults if the second row was adjusted. However, the rear-seat climate control vents were positioned on the ceiling, blowing directly on passengers’ heads. The Highlander offered 16 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 48.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.3 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. This provided ample space for most needs, though it was less than what minivans offered.

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 and Android Auto compatibility, four USB ports, Bluetooth, satellite radio, a six-speaker audio system, and voice recognition. The updated touchscreen was user-friendly and visually appealing. Rear passengers had access to 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, and remote functionalities. An Amazon Alexa skill was also available.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander offered an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen available on the Limited trim and standard on the Platinum trim. Both systems were user-friendly, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard across the lineup. The 12.3-inch screen was bright, crisp, and responsive, though it only displayed certain apps in full width. The JBL audio system provided good sound quality. Navigation was an optional feature, performing well for specific addresses but struggling with points of interest. The inclusion of volume and tuning knobs added to the system’s usability.

For 2020, the Nissan Murano included Safety Shield 360 as standard on SV, SL, and Platinum trims. This suite featured 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 technology found in rivals, such as Nissan’s ProPilot Assist. The IIHS awarded the Murano "good" ratings in most categories, with a "superior" mark for front crash prevention. The NHTSA gave the Murano five stars overall, with a four-star rating for rollover.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander upgraded to Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support, road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. The NHTSA awarded the Highlander five stars overall, and the IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick+.