2021 Nissan Murano vs 2022 Toyota RAV4

The 2021 Nissan Murano boasted a chic design that had once been ahead of its time. However, by a few years ago, its L-shaped LED headlights and pronouncedly contoured front end had become mainstream features in automotive aesthetics. Inside, the Murano's cabin maintained a conservative style, focusing more on comfort and user-friendliness than on flashy innovations. This design approach made the controls intuitive and easily accessible, with minimal learning curve required for drivers.

The Murano came in four trims: S, SV, SL, and Platinum. The base S model included 18-inch alloy wheels, manual front seats, dual-zone climate control, four USB ports, push-button start, remote keyless entry, satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The SV trim added several upgrades, such as power-adjustable front seats, adaptive cruise control, remote start, fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, black roof rails, heated side mirrors, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

Opting for the SL trim brought even more features, including 20-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, heated front and rear seats, ambient cabin lighting, a Bose premium stereo system, and integrated navigation within the infotainment system.

The top-tier Platinum trim offered luxurious additions like a dual-panel panoramic moonroof, semi-aniline premium leather with Prima-Tex protection, dark wood interior accents, and ventilated front seats.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 had undergone significant evolution since its initial launch for the 1996 model year. Initially hailed as a compact alternative to bulky SUVs, the RAV4 quickly gained popularity among younger buyers. Over its five generations, the RAV4 expanded in both size and sophistication, evolving beyond the "cute-ute" category to become a leader in the crossover SUV market. The 2022 model, stemming from a 2019 redesign, frequently topped the SUV sales charts in the United States.

Externally, the 2022 RAV4 didn't stand out much from the general crossover design trend until one examined its details. The angular flourishes in the wheel arches, crisp lines, and organic body-side bends hinted at its unique character. The combination of expressive headlights, a snub-nosed grille, and lower fascia openings gave the RAV4 a distinctive, anthropomorphic face that was both playful and assertive. Toyota’s commitment to quality was evident in its impressive fit-and-finish.

Internally, the RAV4 featured a layered dashboard with contrasting textures and colors, anchored by a straightforward center stack. Atop the dash’s center sat a touchscreen interface positioned for easy driver access with minimal distraction. The interior design also incorporated a circuit-board-inspired geometric pattern, which was echoed in various elements from cloth seat inserts to the sill plates and dash pieces. The Adventure-trim test vehicle further showcased this motif with 19-inch matte gray alloy wheels.

Under the hood, the 2021 Nissan Murano featured a singular 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and came in both standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). This V6 engine provided robust low-speed acceleration, making the Murano quick off the line and efficient for city driving. Nevertheless, the CVT occasionally muted the engine's power at higher speeds, which could lead to a half-second delay when overtaking vehicles on the highway.

The Murano was designed with a comfort-first ride philosophy but managed to retain refined driving characteristics. It performed well in corners while absorbing road bumps effectively, making it an excellent choice for both commutes and road trips.

The Murano's towing capacity, maxing out at 1,500 pounds when properly equipped, was on the lower end for midsize SUVs. This capacity was even outshone by several compact SUVs.

Conversely, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 provided three powertrain options. The gasoline-only model utilized a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with direct injection and variable valve timing, generating 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission, this engine came standard with FWD but offered AWD as an option across all trims. Fuel economy for FWD models was 27-28 mpg city/35 mpg highway/30 mpg combined, while AWD models managed 25-27 mpg city/32-34 mpg highway/28-30 mpg combined.

The RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor, producing 217 combined net hp delivered through an electronic continuously variable transmission (eCVT). The Hybrid's fuel economy was an impressive 41 mpg city/38 mpg highway/40 mpg combined.

The RAV4 Prime was the most powerful option, featuring a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine, a larger 18.1-kilowatt-hour battery pack, and 302 hp. It came with standard AWD and utilized an eCVT. Its EPA ratings were 40 mpg city/36 mpg highway/38 mpg combined, but it could also run up to 42 miles purely on electricity with an efficiency rating of 94 MPGe combined. It had a 3.3-kilowatt on-board charger, with a 6.6-kW charger optional on XSE models, recharging the battery in varying times based on the voltage.

Driving the gasoline Adventure AWD model, the four-cylinder engine delivered ample power for daily driving and excelled on highways, devoid of the turbo lag or excessive noise complaints typical of some competitors. The eight-speed automatic transmission paired well with the engine, providing quick kickdowns during demanding accelerations, such as passing on highways.

The RAV4's MacPherson struts in the front and multi-link suspension in the rear, combined with stabilizer bars at both ends, contributed to its car-like handling. AWD models benefitted from Multi-Terrain Select tuning and dynamic torque vectoring, enhancing turn-in and handling. Furthermore, the fuel-saving rear-driveline disconnect in the gasoline AWD models highlighted its efficiency.

The 2021 Nissan Murano offered 67 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded down and 32.1 cubic feet with the rear seats in use. Comparatively, this was less than what other two-row SUVs like the Hyundai Santa Fe (72.1 cubic feet) and the Honda Passport (100.7 cubic feet) offered. However, trims like the SL and Platinum compensated with a hands-free power liftgate.

Despite the relatively modest cargo space, the Murano excelled in ease of use. Its traditional shifter design and center console filled with trays and cubbies made it practical for everyday life. The Murano shined in its spacious two-row seating layout, providing ample headroom and legroom in both the front and rear seats. The second-row seats even offered partial reclining functionality.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 had a more generous cargo capacity. With the second row of seats in place, it could hold up to 37.5 cubic feet of luggage. When the second row was folded flat, the cargo space increased to 69.8 cubic feet. The RAV4 also had a significant payload capacity ranging from 1,050 to 1,230 pounds, depending on the configuration.

Regarding towing, different RAV4 trims had varying capacities: LE, XLE, XLE Premium, and Limited grades could tow up to 1,500 pounds, while Adventure and TRD Off-Road models could handle up to 3,500 pounds. The RAV4 Hybrid could tow up to 1,750 pounds, and the RAV4 Prime was rated at 2,500 pounds. These capabilities overshadowed the Murano's towing capacity, potentially swaying buyers with towing needs towards the RAV4.

Inside, the RAV4 was roomy enough for four adults to sit comfortably, with the ability to accommodate five when needed. The front row featured ample legroom, hip room, shoulder room, and headroom, along with individual bucket seats separated by a spacious center console. The cabin offered numerous storage solutions, including cupholders, bottle holders, a glove compartment, and covered storage under the center armrest.

The 2021 Nissan Murano came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system renowned for its intuitive menu layout. It was flanked by hard buttons and dials to enhance user interaction. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and buttons and toggles that facilitated seamless navigation through connected smartphone apps. Optional tech features included an 11-speaker Bose premium stereo system and integrated navigation.

Meanwhile, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 was equally rich in technology, even at entry-level trims. Standard features comprised a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a six-speaker audio system, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Apple CarPlay compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, Safety Connect with a one-year trial, Service Connect with a 10-year trial, and Wi-Fi Connect with up to 2 gigabytes within a three-month trial. Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity and streaming audio were standard across all models.

Higher trims like the RAV4 XLE and above upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen while retaining the six-speaker setup. The Premium Audio system, available on Limited models and the RAV4 Prime XSE, featured an 11-speaker JBL audio system and integrated navigation. Navigation had become less critical due to smartphone integration, almost an afterthought compared to other tech features.

The RAV4 Prime highlighted cutting-edge technology, including five USB ports, two 12-volt/120-watt auxiliary power outlets, an optional 120-volt/1,500-watt AC power outlet, and blue ambient illumination for in-dash shelves, center console cup holders, and front footwells. It also offered a Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging pad, an available bird’s-eye view camera system with perimeter scan, and a 10-inch color head-up display.

The 2021 Nissan Murano included several standard driver assistance features as part of Nissan Safety Shield 360. These features encompassed reverse automatic emergency braking (a new standard for 2021), blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. Additional standard features carried over included forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, and driver drowsiness monitoring. Optional features were a surround-view parking monitor, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and front-and-rear parking sensors.

In comparison, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 came with Toyota’s Star Safety System as standard across all trims. This included vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock braking, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. It also featured LATCH child-seat lower anchors, tether anchors on all rear seats, and child-guard locks on both rear side doors. Safety Connect provided emergency assistance, a stolen vehicle locator, roadside assistance, and automatic collision notification with a one-year complimentary subscription. Eight airbags ensured cabin safety.

Additionally, Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 was standard on all RAV4 models. This suite included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, lane-tracing assist, and road sign assist. Higher trims featured a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert and a rear cross-traffic braking system. Upper trims also offered front and rear parking assist with automatic braking.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 earned accolades from safety organizations, being named an IIHS Top Safety Pick and a Top Safety Pick+ for the RAV4 Prime. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded both the 2022 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid their highest five-star rating.